Full Mouth Reconstruction Steps
Most patients who seek full mouth reconstructions have complex collections of conditions that might include excessive wear, missing teeth, extensive decay, facial injuries, or underlying medical or congenital conditions. Any or all of these things can cause functional, structural, medical, and aesthetic issues in the mouth, affecting the ability to eat properly and smile confidently while creating frequent discomfort or even pain. The overarching goal of full mouth reconstruction is to address the complex interplay between the gums, teeth, bones, and muscles, restoring balance among these structures through a series of carefully planned procedures. This might mean replacing missing teeth, but it also means repairing the structures that support the teeth in a variety of ways.
While not every reconstruction involves every step, every step of a full mouth reconstruction occurs in a specific order. These steps are:
- Comprehensive diagnostic examination
- Treatment planning
- Stabilizing foundational tissues of the periodontium
- Addressing damaged teeth
- Correcting malocclusion with orthodontic treatment
- Surgical interventions, including implant placement
- Testing with provisional restorations
- Fabrication and placement of final restorations
- Bite adjustment
- Maintenance and follow-up
To successfully accomplish such a complex set of procedures, planning begins with a comprehensive evaluation. This evaluation includes the use of advanced imaging technology to examine all the tissues and structures of the periodontium, including the joints and bone of the jaw, and relies on mechanical tools to assess the occlusion, or bite, while moving and at rest. The dentist will also review the patient’s medical history and lifestyle, noting any conditions or lifestyle factors that might interfere with healing or influence the type of restoration used.
After this diagnostic exam, the patient works with the dental team to map out a comprehensive, customized treatment plan. The order of this plan is important and factors in recovery periods, stability of the bite and jaw, and requirements for prosthetics. This treatment plan is then presented to the patient, with each step explained in understandable terms. Dentists rely on digital imaging and dental models to demonstrate possible outcomes and better explain each step in the plan, answering questions and ensuring that the patient feels heard and trusts their dental team.
Then, if periodontal disease is present, it is treated through deep cleaning, laser treatment, or surgery; it’s imperative to stabilize the periodontium if you want any dental restorations to succeed. If there is significant bone loss in the jaw, grafts are necessary before implants can succeed. If the gum tissue is seriously compromised, or if it is uneven or visibly imbalanced, gum contouring surgery might be involved. Only when these foundational tissues are stabilized can the next stage take place.
When there are decayed or damaged teeth still in the mouth, the next stage involves addressing these endodontic concerns. Reparable fractured or decayed teeth are treated with onlays, inlays, or crowns, and infected root canals are treated with the goal of preserving the natural tooth. When a tooth cannot be salvaged, it must be extracted. If possible, a dental implant is placed shortly after the tooth is extracted; if an implant is not advisable, bone graft material may be placed at this time.
If there are problems with dental alignment or bite, these orthodontic issues are addressed next, either with clear aligning trays or fixed orthodontic devices. These corrections help protect the jaw joints, muscles, and teeth from disproportionate or excessive force, and they add another layer of support for full mouth reconstruction. Orthodontic treatment takes time, but, as with the preceding stages, it’s crucial to the long-term success of the full mouth reconstruction.
After the bite and occlusion are corrected, surgical interventions take place. This may mean dental implants, or it may mean a supporting surgery, like a sinus lift, that will help improve conditions for implant placement. Once the implants have completely healed, provisional restorations are tested and evaluated before final restorations are fabricated, placed, and adjusted for occlusal balance. You’ll have some different options for materials used, depending on the type of restoration, and your dentist will tell you the pros and cons of each material as you plan treatment.
The longevity of your full mouth reconstruction can be ensured through strict adherence to aftercare instructions and an effective long-term oral hygiene routine. Regular follow-up exams will help make sure the bite and prosthetics are stable and healthy, allowing you to eat, laugh, smile, and speak comfortably and confidently for decades. Even though the procedure is complex and will take a while, that seems like a small investment for such life-changing effects.
Related Article: What is Full Mouth Reconstruction?