When you have several dental issues to address, full mouth reconstruction can offer the best solutions. Unlike smile makeovers that focus on purely cosmetic issues, full mouth reconstruction involves a combination of dental treatments to rebuild or restore your teeth, gums, and jaw function. But how do you know if it’s the right choice for you?
At Bell Family Dental in Bayside, New York, Dr. Dean H. Cherpelis and Dr. Frank Pappas specialize in restorative dentistry services, like crowns and dental implants. Here’s what you need to know about full mouth reconstruction and how it could help you.
How full mouth reconstruction works
During a full mouth reconstruction, our team performs multiple dental procedures to restore the function, structure, and appearance of your gums, teeth, and jaw. Common techniques used in full mouth reconstruction might include:
- Deep cleaning (scaling)
- Veneers
- Crowns and bridges
- Dental implants
- Gum treatments
- Bone grafting
- Jaw surgery
Full mouth reconstruction varies from person to person, based on individual needs and procedures required. However, the entire process often occurs over multiple stages and office visits, and it can take 12 months or more to finish.
Our team also offers sedation dentistry, so your full mouth reconstruction can be stress-free and completely comfortable, even if you have dental anxiety.
When to consider full mouth reconstruction
Dr. Cherpelis and Dr. Pappas might recommend full mouth reconstruction if you have conditions interfering with normal dental function or cause persistent pain or discomfort. Common issues include missing teeth, damaged or worn teeth, teeth grinding, or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome.
To determine if you’re a good candidate for full mouth reconstruction, Dr. Cherpelis or Dr. Pappas performs a comprehensive exam with X-rays of your teeth, gums, and jaw. This process allows them to diagnose your specific dental issues and identify the best restorative techniques to correct them. Exams include evaluating:
Teeth
First, they look for signs of decay, wear, cracks, infection, and movement. Based on their findings, they might recommend veneers, crowns or bridges, or dental implants.
Gum tissue
When your gums aren’t healthy, you have a higher risk of tooth decay and loss. If you have signs of gum (periodontal) disease, Dr. Cherpelis and Dr. Pappas might recommend deep cleaning or grafts of soft tissue or bone to rebuild your gums and jaw.
Jaw
This aspect of your exam focuses on the health of your jaw muscles, joints, and bite. Bite issues can impact your dental health causing unnecessary wear on your teeth. It can also trigger pain or discomfort when you speak or chew and even cause headaches. Depending on their findings, Dr. Cherpelis and Dr. Pappas might recommend orthodontics or a nightguard to correct your jaw alignment.
To see if full mouth reconstruction can help restore, rebuild, and rehabilitate your mouth and jaw, contact our office in Bayside, Queens, by calling (718) 224-4646 or by requesting an appointment online today.