What is Full-Mouth Reconstruction?

Full-mouth reconstruction is a comprehensive and highly individualized treatment plan aimed at restoring the function, health, and appearance of a patient’s entire mouth. This process typically involves a combination of restorative and cosmetic procedures to address multiple dental concerns such as missing teeth, damaged or severely worn teeth, gum disease, and bite misalignment. The goal is to not only improve the aesthetics of your smile but also to restore your ability to chew, speak, and maintain long-term oral health.

Dr. Huff has taken many hours of continuing education and is well-experienced in providing full-mouth reconstruction when appropriate and indicated, providing personalized treatment plans that meet each patient’s unique needs. Whether you’re facing extensive tooth damage or have multiple missing teeth, Dr. Huff’s expertise in both general dentistry and orofacial pain allows him to offer solutions that enhance both function and comfort.

Types of Full-Mouth Reconstruction

Full-mouth reconstruction is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Dr. Huff offers various treatment options based on the specific needs of each patient. Common types of full-mouth reconstruction include:

Reconstruction for Extensive Tooth Damage:
Teeth that are severely damaged due to trauma, decay, or wear may require crowns, bridges, or dental implants to restore strength and functionality.
Reconstruction for Missing Teeth:
Dental implants, dentures, or bridges are often used to replace multiple missing teeth, restoring your ability to chew and speak clearly.
Reconstruction for Bite Alignment Issues:
Malocclusion (bite misalignment) can cause uneven wear on teeth, crack or break teeth, and injure the gums. While Dr. Huff may often refer patients for braces or clear aligner (e.g. Invisalign® or similar) therapy, reconstruction of the chewing surfaces of the teeth or reshaping the chewing surfaces of the teeth may be appropriate to provide a stable bite, minimize harm to the gums to help with gum disease management, or to minimize the risk of tooth injury.
Combination Reconstruction:
Many full-mouth reconstructions combine multiple procedures, including crowns, veneers, dental implants, removable partial dentures, and /or orthodontics, to provide a comprehensive solution for both aesthetic and functional improvement.

Who Might Need Full-Mouth Reconstruction?

Full-mouth reconstruction is ideal for patients who have experienced extensive damage to their teeth, gums, or jaw. Dr. Huff works closely with individuals who need a full restoration due to:

Severe Tooth Wear:
Whether caused by teeth grinding (bruxism) or other factors, significant tooth wear can compromise your ability to chew and lead to further damage if left untreated.
Extensive Tooth Decay:
When decay affects many teeth, reconstruction can restore both the function and appearance of your smile.
Dental Trauma:
Accidents or injuries that result in broken, fractured, or missing teeth can be effectively treated with full-mouth reconstruction.
Multiple Missing Teeth:
Missing teeth not only affect your smile but can also lead to shifting teeth and bite issues. Reconstruction with implants, dentures, or bridges can address these concerns.
Congenital Dental Defects:
Some patients are born with structural issues that require extensive correction to improve both function and aesthetics.

What Treatment Options Are Involved?

Dr. Huff’s approach to full-mouth reconstruction may involve several types of treatments, customized to your specific needs. Common procedures include:

Dental Crowns:
Crowns are used to cap and protect teeth that are severely damaged or decayed, restoring both their appearance and strength.
Dental Implants:
Implants replace missing teeth with permanent anchors for a variety of types of dental prostheses that can either be screwed in (fixed) or snap-in (removable).
Bridges:
Dental bridges are used to replace one or more missing teeth by anchoring artificial teeth to adjacent natural teeth or implants.
Veneers:
Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made shells that cover the front of teeth for cosmetic purposes.
Orthodontics:
Clear aligners or traditional braces may be required to correct bite issues or align teeth as part of the reconstruction process.
Periodontal Treatment:
Gum disease treatments such as scaling and root planing or laser-assisted periodontal therapy help restore the health of your gums, ensuring a stable foundation for further restorative work.
Oral Surgery:
Oral surgeries, including extractions, bone grafting, or sinus lifts, may be necessary to prepare the mouth for further treatments like dental implants.
Root Canal Therapy:
In cases of severe decay or infection, root canal therapy may be needed to save a tooth from extraction.
Dentures:
Both partial and full dentures offer a cost-effective solution for replacing multiple missing teeth, whether on a temporary or permanent basis.

How Long Will Full-Mouth Reconstruction Take?

The duration of full-mouth reconstruction varies depending on the complexity of the case and the types of treatments required. It can range from several months to over a year. The process typically includes:

Comprehensive Examination and Records:
Dr. Huff conducts a thorough examination, which may include X-rays, photographs, a 3D scan, and impressions to develop a personalized treatment plan.
Co-Diagnosis:
Dr. Huff meets with you to review the findings from his exam with you to learn together about your wants and needs and to establish your personal goals for care.
Treatment Consultation:
Dr. Huff will meet with you to review the treatment plan and associated fees, risks, and benefits of the treatment plan that you have developed with him.
NOTE: The Co-Diagnosis and Treatment Consultations are included in the fees for the first appointment.
Step-by-Step Treatment:
Depending on the specific procedures involved, some treatments like crowns or fillings can be completed in a few visits. Other procedures, like dental implants, require healing time, and the overall treatment timeline will be discussed during your consultation. Often, a diagnostic phase with temporary restorations may be used for several months, which are not part of the definitive restorations.
Follow-Up Care:
Follow-up appointments ensure that each procedure is healing properly and that your new restorations are functioning as intended. Dr. Huff usually recommends a regular 3-month follow-up regimen for any full-mouth reconstruction indefinitely.

How Long Does Full-Mouth Reconstruction Last?

The longevity of your full-mouth reconstruction depends on several factors, including the materials used, the complexity of the procedures, your personal habits and parafunctional behaviors, and your commitment to maintaining good oral hygiene and ownership of your own health. Maintenance is necessary when decay develops, restorations chip, or periodontal disease develops. It is important to remember that a full mouth reconstruction is most often recommended because something was broken or worn out. Nothing artificial can be reasonably expected to last as long as what God created in the first place. In the right environment with adequate home hygiene practices, healthy diet, and compliance with appointments and care that your dentist recommends, full-mouth reconstructions can reasonably last for many, many years. In fact, Dr. Huff has observed success of many full-mouth reconstructions that he has done for over 15 years. However, the mouth is a dynamic environment, meaning that it is ever-changing:

Your health is dynamic and ever-changing.
The effects of age on restorations as well as your health are unavoidable.
Unexpected trauma can occur.
Gum disease can develop at any time.
Your personal habits may change that can affect the wear and tear on restorations.
Plastic, like denture teeth, wear much faster than ceramic teeth and need to be replaced more frequently.

Caring for Your New Smile After Full-Mouth Reconstruction

Maintaining your full-mouth reconstruction requires diligent oral hygiene and regular visits to Dr. Huff. Key steps include:

Brushing and Flossing:
Keep up with daily brushing and flossing to prevent decay or gum disease from compromising your restorations.
Regular Checkups:
Routine dental visits ensure that any issues are caught early, and cleanings help maintain the longevity of your restorations.
Avoid Hard Foods:
Be mindful of chewing hard foods like ice or nuts that can damage restorations.
Use a Mouthguard:
If you grind your teeth, wearing a custom nightguard may protect your teeth and restorations from wear.
Healthy Lifestyle Choices:
Maintain a balanced diet and avoid excess sugary foods that can lead to decay and gum disease.
Habit Awareness:
Be aware of daytime habits like chewing on pencils or gritting your teeth that are very destructive to teeth and dental materials.
No Smoking:
Smoking and chewing tobacco is very hard on the teeth and gums and will cause premature failure of nearly any dental prosthesis.

Ready to Restore Your Smile?

Dr. Kevin D. Huff provides comprehensive full-mouth reconstruction services to patients in Dover, Canton, Zanesville, New Philadelphia, and the surrounding areas of Tuscarawas County. If you are ready to restore the health, function, and appearance of your smile, contact our office today at 330-364-2011 to schedule your consultation. Dr. Huff will work with you to create a personalized plan that meets your unique dental needs and goals.

I can’t say enough about Dr. Huff and his staff. He performed 4 root canals and placed 28 crowns in order to repair a terrible bite and many terribly worn and fractured teeth. A full mouth reconstruction! Some of which a prosthodontist said couldn’t be done. Dr. Huff’s knowledge and skills are unparalleled in General Dentistry. His advanced abilities span many areas of Dentistry. The office staff, specifically Rhonda, Brittany and Morgan are true professionals and deserve accolades for their efforts.After decades of suffering with major dental issues I am now completely satisfied with the health and appearance of my teeth. I feel blessed to have been treated by this office and they are a hidden gem within the Dover community.

– Paul K.