Do I Need a Full Mouth Restoration?
When you look in the mirror and all you see is problem teeth, you might think a full mouth restoration is in order. Restoring teeth can involve whitening, straightening and reshaping teeth. Some treatment methods involve working with the natural teeth, but many use a foreign material to gain the best result.
What is a Full Mouth Restoration?
People need a full mouth restoration (also called a mouth reconstruction) when most of their teeth are badly decayed or damaged. The dental problems are so severe orthodontics or fillings aren’t enough. A full mouth restoration involves rebuilding or replacing some or all of the teeth. The bite, jaw and surrounding muscles are considered during restorations for the best long-term result.
Services Involved in a Full Mouth Restoration
A prosthodontist may use several treatments to achieve the desired look, including:
· Fillings
· Crowns
· Bonding
· Onlays
· Inlays
· Veneers
When Is a Full Mouth Restoration Required?
The need for dental reconstruction may have occurred over many years or in an instant. There primary reasons people have full mouth restorations include disease, trauma, bite problems and poor dental hygiene.
Oral cancer
Restoration after oral cancer not only involves replacing fallen teeth but also restoring missing oral cavity structures. The cancer may have destroyed bone, hard and soft tissue in the mouth or a surgeon removed damaged tissue.
Trauma
A sporting injury, assault, motor vehicle or other accident can cause multiple teeth being lost and damage to the jaw and gums. A mouth restoration can replace missing teeth and restore the smile.
Poor Dental Hygiene
A person who doesn’t regularly brush their teeth or visit their dentist is at risk of severe decay and gum disease, a bacterial infection in the space between the teeth and gums. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss. When one tooth falls out, surrounding teeth often become loose because of jaw bone resorption. When there are few healthy teeth remaining, it requires a full restoration to regain chewing function and improve aesthetics. Gum disease also causes receding gums which can expose tooth roots.
Bad Bite
The relationship between your top and bottom arches are important in keeping your teeth healthy. A bad bite can have many causes and can further exacerbate tooth damage and make the bite worse. By fixing the bite and restoring teeth, the teeth can be protected from future damage.
How Does Mouth Reconstruction Differ From a Smile Makeover?
A smile makeover can also use a combination of procedures to improve the aesthetics of a patient’s teeth. The cosmetic dentistry procedures create a whiter, brighter smile by fixing misaligned or gapped teeth. The procedures may include:
· Teeth whitening
· Bonding
· Tooth-coloured crowns, fillings and bridges
· Dental implants
· Porcelain veneers
Full Mouth Restorations
Full mouth restorations involve extensive treatment, usually over multiple appointments. With multiple treatment options to choose from, a dentist or specialist may recommend one or more treatment types that are different to those of another.
The result of a restoration should be an aesthetically pleasing, functioning mouth with improved oral health that should last a lifetime. For many people, a full mouth restoration results in a better quality of life. They’re more self-confident and happier about their appearance, and their dental health improves.
But every patient undergoing a full mouth reconstruction should understand the risks involved. Some restoration options are irreversible, such as crowns, implants and porcelain veneers. Before undergoing any treatment, weigh up your options and ensure the professional you choose completes these treatments regularly. A second opinion is always a good idea so you go into the treatment confident that you’re making the right decision.
If you have any queries about mouth reconstructions, call us on (08) 9321 1632 or book an appointment.