It might sound intimidating, but full mouth reconstruction is a term for a treatment that replaces missing or problem teeth. Certain forms of reconstruction may be necessary as teeth gradually wear down from use or grinding or begin to deteriorate with age. A patient may suffer from teeth that have decayed or been cracked, broken or otherwise damaged. Teeth that are missing entirely can also be replaced with reconstruction treatments.
There are five main treatments that a person can pursue. Some only cover unstable teeth, while others can fill gaps in a smile or replace an entire arch of teeth. What treatment a patient chooses depends on the state of their teeth. Most treatments can be used to repair front teeth.
Perhaps the most common type of full mouth reconstruction, a dental crown is a cap or covering that is laid over a natural tooth. Crowns are used if a tooth is internally decaying or damaged. A cracked tooth can be held together and stabilized, as the crown completely encases it all the way to the gumline. A patient can opt for a traditional crown, which is made in a lab separate from the dentist’s office, or a same-day crown, which is made in the office.
A dental bridge is a kind of crown that replaces a missing tooth. The entire bridge is made up of three crowns. One crown fits over the empty space while the other two secure it in place by anchoring to the teeth on either side of the gap.
These are thin covers that can be placed over the front of a tooth. Veneers are mostly used to restore a smile by concealing chips or cracks on the front of a tooth. They can also fix gaps between teeth and cover tooth discoloration, as the veneer is matched to the patient’s natural tooth color.
Dental implants go beyond the surface of the tooth to the root. If a tooth is missing, a dental implant is set and secured into the jawbone as its replacement. Implants are also sometimes used to support dentures or bridges.
Both full and partial dentures can replace numerous teeth at one time. Partial dentures may be used if a patient still has some remaining natural teeth. However, if most of the teeth are missing, the rest can be pulled to make room for full dentures. Dentures help restore a person’s bite and smile. Technology for dentures only continues to improve, providing artificial teeth that look completely natural.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Full Mouth Reconstruction in Chicago, IL.
Knowing where to start with full mouth reconstruction can be intimidating and confusing. Understanding the exact problems within a patient’s mouth is the first step to finding the correct solution. Once a patient has begun the discussion about reconstruction with a dentist, they can begin a journey toward successful restoration. With today’s dental technology, there is no reason anyone needs to feel self-conscious smiling because of missing or chipped front teeth.
Request an appointment or call Total Care Dental at 773-786-9586 for an appointment in our Chicago office.
Considering clear braces? Read on to learn more about the process and duration of treatment. Patients often inquire about the length of time they will need to wear clear braces at their first appointment with the dentist. The patient's condition mostly determines the duration. Braces may take longer than expected in certain cases, and individuals…
The term All-on-4® refers to a more convenient alternative than conventional dentures. It involves installing dental implants into the patient’s jaw to serve as the base for a special type of dentures that are fixed in place.Traditional dentures are the most affordable way to replace missing teeth, but they have issues like poor stability. This…
Invisalign® is a teeth-straightening treatment that entails wearing sets of custom-made transparent aligners over the teeth. Unlike traditional metal braces that use wires and brackets, the aligners are removable, which means wearers can take them off when they want to eat or brush their teeth. Learn about these clear aligners and how they are used to…
