Does Full Mouth Reconstruction Make Sense for You?
It’s safe to say that many of us struggle with our oral health as we get older. This is a fact of life. Everything about our bodies change and require more upkeep as we age. But, our mouths are especially curious because even if we do our due diligence, sometimes complications can arise. Have you ever been surprised to hear you need a root canal despite taking care of your teeth? These things happen.
You might have heard about a series of procedures that together are referred to as a full mouth reconstruction. The terminology may be a little intimidating, but it could actually be the treatment course that changes your life. A full mouth reconstruction is a serious undertaking and it actually doesn’t make sense for everyone. You may have more than one issue going on as it relates to your dental health, but that still may not qualify for the sheer scope of a reconstruction and you’d be better served by individual, smaller procedures.
However, if your teeth and gums are in serious disarray due to illness, injury, and decay, a full mouth reconstruction could be exactly what you’re looking for in order to improve your health and confidence. If you haven’t spoken to your dentist about your options, now is the time to do it. You could be needlessly suffering when treatment is available.
Let’s take a look at who would benefit most from full mouth reconstruction, what procedures are used during the process, and what you should expect as a patient as you undergo treatment.
Who is a good candidate?
It would be appropriate to begin with what full mouth reconstruction is and what it is not. There are several popular dental treatment courses that address multiple issues simultaneously. For example, there is the smile makeover. A smile makeover is purely cosmetic and is meant to address aesthetic issues regarding your teeth. A full mouth reconstruction addresses your oral health and is meant to counter the effects of a severe injury or gum disease to restore your mouth as closely as possible to its original, healthy state. Remember, chronic periodontitis affects nearly half of the population over age 30. So, the risks are definitely real and you could find yourself suffering from it at some point.
If your oral health has reached the point where multiple teeth are missing, your gums have receded, and other indicators of significant damage are displayed, you would probably benefit from full mouth reconstruction treatments. It’s the comprehensive method of addressing all of these issues so that you can return to ideal health.
What procedures are involved?
A wide variety of treatments will be used in order to correct the various conditions that you’re suffering with. Of course, every person is different because of their individual needs. Some may require more orthodontic treatments than others, for example.
If you are missing teeth, dental implants could be used in order to replace them. They are durable and look natural. Because they depend on the health of your jawbone, a bone graft may be required first if disease has weakened the bone too severely to take the implant. Crowns and veneers are alternatives for damaged teeth. You’ll also undergo teeth scaling and root planning in order to improve the health of your gum line. Any cavities will need to be filled and root canals will be performed as needed. Cosmetically, braces may be used to straighten your teeth and teeth whitening will add the finishing touch. Essentially, nearly any dental procedure may be used throughout the course of your treatments in order to restore your mouth to full functionality and health. Note that treatments is plural, which brings us to the next point.
What should you expect?
Full mouth reconstruction is a process. It’s clear that all of these procedures can’t be done in one day. Therefore, you should have the expectation that you will be making multiple visits to your dentist over the span of at least weeks, if not months. It’s hard to give a definitive answer because of how each individual case can vary. Timelines all depend on how severe your condition is and how many of them you’re dealing with. Orthodontics take the longest amount of time and require somewhat regular check-ins and adjustments in order to be effective. Prepare yourself to spend some time on the full mouth reconstruction process.
Conclusion
If you’ve been suffering for years because of the condition of your oral health, it’s time to do something about it. Whether it’s gum disease or injury, there is a treatment option available. Contact us today. The team at Confident Miami is here to provide you with the expertise and care you need to look and feel your best. Schedule a consultation today and see if a full mouth reconstruction is the best option for your individual circumstances.
