Sometimes, due to trauma, decay, or a combination of the two, a person's oral health, the aesthetics of their smile, and their ability to speak clearly and comfortably deteriorate to such a point where no one dental procedure can rectify the situation. In these moments, a dentist may determine that full mouth rehabilitation is in order.
Today we're going to discuss full mouth rehabilitation – what it is, the circumstances under which it's necessary, the range of procedures of which it's comprised, and how to properly maintain results in the aftermath of full mouth reconstruction.
What Is Full Mouth Rehabilitation?
Full mouth rehabilitation (also known as "full mouth reconstruction") is a tailored treatment plan consisting of a comprehensive (or at least a wide) range of restorative and cosmetic procedures. Each full-mouth rehabilitation treatment plan consists of a customized combination of procedures based on a patient's specific issues and needs. Full mouth rehabilitation aims to alleviate a patient's physical discomfort while restoring the form, function, and aesthetics of their teeth, gums, and maxillofacial (mouth, face, jawbone, and neck) structures.
When Is a Full Mouth Rehabilitation Necessary?
Full mouth rehabilitation becomes needed when a person's oral health has deteriorated severely as a result of tooth loss, severe tooth decay, gum disease, bite problems, trauma, and congenital issues. Typically in these cases, there is no single overarching issue but a combination that calls for a range of dental treatments to relieve discomfort, restore proper biting and chewing functions, and enhance aesthetics.
Determining Your Dental Needs
Before the actual treatments that comprise full mouth rehabilitation can begin, a process of consultation, examination, and planning must take place.
This begins with a consultation between the patient and a dental professional. In this initial step, the patient's concerns, needs, medical history, and desired results are discussed. This is a simple yet vital step as it's the point at which the patient and dentist gain a shared understanding of the patient's specific needs, the process ahead, and realistic expectations for the treatments.
Next, the dentist performs a thorough examination of the patient's mouth and teeth. This typically involves taking x-rays, photographs, and impressions of the teeth. At this point, the dentist examines the condition of the teeth, gums, and supporting structures and identifies signs of disease, decay, wear and tear, or other issues.
Based on the results of the examination, the dentist and patient develop a treatment plan that takes into account the patient's needs, goals, oral health condition, overall health, and the treatment options available. After a discussion of the dentist's recommended procedures, timeline, and expected costs, during which the patient has an opportunity to ask questions, provide input, and ensure a full understanding of the process to come, the treatment plan is confirmed.
What Procedures Constitute a Full Mouth Rehabilitation?
By the time full mouth rehabilitation is required, enhancing not only the appearance of a patient's smile and their chewing and speaking functions but restoring their overall oral health calls for a wide, if not comprehensive, range of cosmetic and surgical procedures tailored to the patient's specific needs.
The specific procedures comprising each full mouth reconstruction depend on an individual's specific circumstances, but the procedures making up each customized treatment plan generally include some combination of the:
- Dental implants
- Dental crowns
- Dental bridges
- Porcelain veneers
- Orthodontics (like braces or Invisalign)
- Periodontal (gum) therapy
- Root canal therapy
- Gum contouring
- Bone grafting
- Jaw realignment (to correct bite issues)
Benefits of Full Mouth Rehabilitation
Full mouth rehabilitation offers a variety of benefits for a patient. First and foremost, the treatment can improve oral health and restore proper dental function while also alleviating sometimes significant pain and discomfort. Secondly, and every bit as importantly, an improved bite often results in improvements to the ability to properly bite and chew food, which can contribute to improved digestion and greater absorption of nutrients from food.
Finally, full mouth rehabilitation can dramatically enhance the aesthetics of a person's smile, which often has a major effect on self-confidence and self-esteem and is widely considered to have a positive effect on others' impressions of a person, and can even influence professional success!
Care and Maintenance in the Aftermath of Full Mouth Rehabilitation
After undergoing full mouth rehabilitation, proper care and maintenance are crucial for long-term success. This involves practicing good oral hygiene in the home, including daily brushing and flossing and adopting a healthy lifestyle but also extends to following a dentist's post-treatment instructions and regularly scheduling and attending dental check-ups in order to ensure the maintenance of results and that new issues are not developing.
Full Mouth Rehabilitation in Los Gatos and Saratoga, CA
If you're looking for a dentist in the Los Gatos or Saratoga areas and think you may require full mouth rehabilitation, contact dentist Dr. Nicole Pagonis and the team at Nicole Pagonis DDS to arrange a consultation.