Full Mouth Reconstruction: Who is the Ideal Candidate?

Certain dental conditions, accidents, or other health conditions can affect your teeth and mouth, from minor flaws and tooth loss to severe disfigurement. In fact, over 36 million Americans don’t have any teeth, leading to nutritional problems, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and certain cancers.  

Rebuilding or reconstructing and restoring your teeth improves your overall health, oral function, and quality of life. Here’s what to know about who may qualify.

What Is Full Mouth Reconstruction?

Full mouth reconstruction is the total replacement of all your teeth, sometimes called a full smile makeover. Reconstruction uses restorative treatments with cosmetic and esthetic techniques to replace teeth, improve chewing ability and function, and enhance your smile.  

Types of FMR

Full mouth reconstruction includes many forms of treatment and replacement teeth, such as:

• Crowns

• Bridges

• Dental implants

• All-on-4, all-on-6, or all-on-X implants

• Dentures  

Each treatment option depends on your oral and dental health and the type of care and reconstruction or replacement you need. In general, a full mouth reconstruction involves removing all the teeth in your upper or lower gums and installing new teeth through complex surgeries or procedures, like dentures or dental implants.  

Full Mouth Reconstruction Candidacy: Suitable Conditions

Not everyone needs a full mouth reconstruction. However, a few dental or other conditions may cause significant changes to your mouth and teeth that may need full restoration.  

Missing Teeth or Tooth Loss

Some conditions at birth may cause missing teeth or poorly developed teeth. In addition, injury and accidents may cause tooth loss, creating problems with chewing and tooth shifting. As well, the force of chewing and teeth on your jawbones help maintain healthy and strong structures, so without teeth, you may lose bone.

Missing or lost teeth can also cause bite issues, poor speech, and jaw disorders, leading to pain. Replacing your teeth with full reconstruction improves your ability to chew, restores your jaw and facial structure, and improves your overall smile and appearance.  

Worn or Broken Teeth

Cracked, broken, or badly worn teeth from grinding can cause pain, tooth disease, and decay and make it difficult to chew or speak comfortably. These issues can also affect your smile and may lead to self-consciousness or discomfort with your appearance.  

Full mouth reconstruction replaces affected teeth and renews your oral structures so that you can chew and speak normally. Better oral function leads to a higher quality of life and less pain and complications.

Severe Cavities or Gum Disease

Significant tooth and gum disease and decay cause cavities and may lead to pain, toothaches, tooth sensitivity, and major infections. Cavities affecting many teeth may happen for a few reasons, including:

• Lack of healthy nutrition

• Poor oral hygiene habits

• Lack of access to treatment  

• Certain medical conditions

Widespread decay and gum disease may cause tooth loss as teeth and tissues break down or your dentist may need to pull teeth to avoid further complications. Replacing these lost and damaged teeth restores your mouth and your normal chewing and speaking functions.  

Oral Cancer

Oral cancer can cause tumors and damage your mouth, jaw, and other facial structures. Not only that, treatment for oral cancer may cause side effects like dry mouth, leading to cavities and tooth loss. Full mouth reconstruction may be part of your treatment plan to help restore the function and appearance of your mouth and smile.

Ideal Candidate for Full Mouth Reconstruction

The reconstruction process varies depending on your unique health and dental needs.  The ideal candidate is someone with one of these or other complex issues that can’t be fixed well with other treatments.  

In addition, you may also be a candidate if you:

• Have enough bone to support implants or dentures

• Can undergo anesthesia and surgery

• Don’t smoke

• Have healthy tissues

• Don’t have health conditions that interfere with healing

Your dentist will assess your overall health and medical history to determine whether reconstruction is right for you.

Determine Treatment Suitability With Local Dentist in Roseville

Transforming your smile with full mouth reconstruction is a process and may take several months to heal and complete. At Smile & Co, dentist in Folsom and Roseville, we believe your smile should be as beautiful and unique as you are. That’s why we personalize treatments for your health and needs, and we’re with you all the way. Book an appointment and learn about your reconstruction options.

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