Does your mouth need a significant amount of dental work to restore it to full functionality? When multiple procedures are necessary, Dr. Julie Spaniel, a leading dentist in Oregon, often suggests full mouth restoration to ensure that you can chew and speak without problems and avoid the embarrassment associated with having an incomplete smile.
With full mouth restoration (sometimes referred to as full mouth reconstruction or full mouth rehabilitation), she can combine restorative procedures so that you have a complete, attractive smile once again.
Are You a Candidate for Full Mouth Restoration?
Dr. Spaniel may recommend full mouth restoration if you:
- Have let your teeth fall into disrepair due to insufficient oral health practices (brushing and flossing)
- Suffered an injury to your mouth that knocked out or broke several teeth
- Experience advanced-stage periodontal disease such that your gums can no longer support your teeth
- Have a medical condition that causes or genetic predisposition to tooth decay
- Grind your teeth while sleeping at night, which has worn them down
Procedures That May Be Included in Your Full Mouth Restoration Plan
Every full mouth restoration that Dr. Spaniel performs is customized to the unique needs of the patient, which means that the procedures included in your full mouth restoration may not be the same as another patient’s plan. After assessing your mouth with an examination and advanced digital X-ray images, Dr. Spaniel may suggest a combination of the following procedures:
Dental Implants
Dental implants are the most durable form of prosthetic tooth because they are surgically attached directly to your jawbone with a metal post. If your jawbone is no longer strong enough to support a dental implant, Dr. Spaniel may be able to perform a bone grafting procedure to bolster the jaw. Dental implants can be used to replace as many teeth as necessary; however, you may want to explore less expensive options if you have many broken or missing teeth.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are caps that fit on top of your natural teeth to both hide existing damage and strengthen the tooth so that it is healthy enough to survive long term. Crowns are designed to look just like your other natural teeth so that they blend in perfectly with your smile. Dr. Spaniel has technology that allows her to create crowns at her office without requiring a second appointment.
Dental Bridges
A bridge is a prosthetic apparatus that fills in the space left by missing teeth (one or more in a row). The most popular type of bridge uses a crown on both sides to hold the artificial teeth in place, but there are multiple types of bridge, so another option may be preferable depending on the location and size of your gap.
Dentures
Dentures are usually the best option when all or most of your teeth cannot be preserved. Modern dentures are more realistic looking than ever before and fit so snuggly that it’s easy to forget that they are not your actual teeth. Some patients prefer implant-supported dentures to hold their dentures securely in place. Partial dentures are also available if you have some healthy natural teeth that can remain in your mouth.
Benefits of Full Mouth Restoration
With full mouth restoration, you can re-attain an attractive and complete smile, which helps to boost your confidence in yourself and in social and professional settings.
Just as importantly, full mouth restoration resolves issues of functionality. Since missing teeth can impact the way you chew and speak, restoring a full set of teeth can minimize these problems. Your jawbone can also erode if teeth are missing, so replacing teeth can help to promote jaw strength and prevent your face from appearing sunken.
How Dr. Spaniel Plans Full Mouth Restoration
Since full mouth restoration is customized to meet the unique needs of your mouth, Dr. Spaniel begins with an in-depth examination of your mouth, complete with digital images of your teeth to assess if there is decay in your remaining teeth and how far any infection has progressed.
Next, Dr. Spaniel will discuss her findings and present all relevant options for reconstructing a complete mouth. Since there are many occasions when multiple procedures can address the same problem, she will also discuss costs and durability so that you can make an informed decision regarding your care.
If you have certain oral health issues like gum disease (periodontitis) or jawbone erosion, these will likely need to be addressed prior to starting restorative procedures. Accordingly, Dr. Spaniel will add periodontal care and potentially bone grafting to the larger rehabilitation plan.
Full Mouth Restoration Timeline and Recovery
All full mouth restoration plans are unique, but most require multiple appointments to complete the full range of work. Dr. Spaniel may be able to cut down on the total time compared to other dentists because she has CEREC technology that allows her to create crowns and other dental prosthetics on-site. If you are nervous about undergoing long or intricate procedures, Dr. Spaniel offers sedation dentistry to ensure you are calm and comfortable throughout your appointment(s).
After your procedure, Dr. Spaniel will prescribe pain medication (as necessary) to ensure that you are not in discomfort. She will provide specific aftercare instructions pertinent to the procedures you have undergone, but in general most patients prefer a day or two of rest before resuming their normal activity and work schedule. It is a good idea to temporarily change your diet to include primarily soft foods.
The results from reconstructive work are designed to last indefinitely. Certain treatments like dental bridges, veneers, crowns, and implants may need to be replaced after one or more decades to ensure that they maintain their appearance and functionality.
Full Mouth Restoration Costs
With each plan incorporating a different number of procedures, prices can vary significantly. Dr. Spaniel will discuss costs upfront so that you know what to expect. While many dental insurance plans will cover some of the costs related to these procedures, it is rare to have full mouth reconstruction covered completely. The team at Summerwood Family Dental will help you to maximize your benefits to keep out-of-pocket costs as low as possible. Financing options are available through CareCredit, a top medical lending institution.
Schedule a Consultation
For amazing full mouth restoration results, you want to choose a dentist with great technique and technology at her disposal. To see why so many patients trust their teeth to Dr. Spaniel, please schedule a consultation at Summerwood Aesthetic Dentistry by calling (503) 906-8600.