Also known as full mouth reconstruction, full mouth rehabilitation is a dental procedure facilitated to correct a range of dental problems, with the process comprised of a selection of many dental sub-procedures. Essentially, when a restorative dentist administers mouth rehabilitation, they are reconstructing the structure and functionality of the mouth, with a range of localized procedures targeting both the lower and upper jaws as well as the teeth.
When Does the Need for Full Mouth Rehabilitation Arise?
While individual dental procedures are often employed separately to address distinct dental issues, there are cases when these concerns become significant and start to impact the overall functionality of the mouth, necessitating a comprehensive approach known as full mouth rehabilitation. Although it’s advisable to consult your dentist if you suspect the need for such a procedure, there are common indicators that can signal the necessity for full mouth reconstruction. These indicators fall into two categories: “soft” symptoms and physically noticeable symptoms. Moreover, a range of medical procedures, such as dental implants, crowns, bridges, tmj treatment, braces, root canals, and periodontal techniques, are frequently utilized as a part of the full mouth reconstruction process. Often combined, these treatments work synergistically to achieve the ultimate goal of restoring the mouth’s overall functionality.
Soft symptoms indicating the possible need for full mouth rehabilitation include:
- Frequent or persistent migraines or headaches
- Vertigo (dizziness)
- Unusually congested ears
- Unusual finger and arm numbness
“Unusual” in this instance refers to a patient experiencing symptoms normally associated with other conditions, such as the flu, but cannot presently link those symptoms to any other condition.
Physical symptoms indicating the possible need for full mouth reconstruction include:
- Restricted jaw movement
- A locking jaw
- Creaking sounds and pain in the jaw joints
- Pain or stiffness in the face, shoulder, neck or even in the back
- Progressively wearing/worn teeth
- Cracked or chipped teeth
- Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ)
- Unusual tooth loss
- Chipped, cracked or broken dental restorations
- Toothaches that occur at different locations
During the downtimes when you’ve perhaps just redeemed your free no deposit bonus and you become conscious of any of these symptoms which should prompt you to get the help you need.
Causes for Conditions Identified Through Symptoms Warranting Full Mouth Reconstruction
While the abovementioned symptoms serve as possible indications for the need to undergo full mouth restoration, these symptoms manifest as a result of a number of core, underlying causes, including:
- Tooth decay or physical trauma
- Tooth injury or fracturing
- Long-term tooth grinding and acid tooth-erosion (gastronomic acid reflux and acidic foods and beverages)
- Forceful injury resulting in jaw re-alignment
Individual Procedures Forming Part of the Full Mouth Rehabilitation Process
A full mouth rehabilitation includes major restorative dental work, one that depends on the severity of each patient’s case. These could be requirements that arise as a result of injury, disease, decay, or some other condition. The treatment plans would include procedures such as:
- Tooth Extraction
Teeth damaged or decayed beyond repair are completely removed, making way for a dental bridge.
- Gum Repair
Part of the gum repair procedure includes restoring the balance of a patient’s smile through gum-tissue contouring.
- Orthognatic Surgery
This procedure entails surgical repositioning of the jaw to restore alignment.
- Orthodontics
This entails the deployment of braces to straighten crookedly-placed teeth.
- Root Canals
Root canal treatment deals with the tooth’s soft core, with inflamed or infected connective and nerve tissue removed and replaced with a filling. It is a critical treatment and must only be carried out by certified professionals from the likes of this san marcos root canal dentist.
- Dental Implants
Dental implants serve as an anchor for replacement teeth, with their structure mimicking that of a root.
- Permanent Restorations
Permanent restorations include the insertion of dental crowns, dental veneers, dental bridges, or on-lays/inlays
- Temporary Restorations
Temporary restorations can include any dental insertion that serves to accustom the patient to their new bite-alignment, teeth and general feel for the way their reconstructed mouth operates
- Teeth Cleaning & Whitening
The tooth-cleaning and whitening combination is usually carried out regularly, throughout the entire mouth rehabilitation process, with a final cleaning and whitening procedure administered right at the end of the whole mouth reconstruction process.