Hello. I'm Dr. David Koilpillai, from Montpelier Family Dentistry, LLC. We get a lot of questions about full mouth reconstruction in our dental practice, and I'm here to answer some of those questions for you today.
What is full mouth reconstruction?
One of the questions is what is full mouth reconstruction? As the term says, it's a reconstruction of what's there in your mouth. Oftentimes it's broken, which could include broken-down teeth or missing teeth, and we're trying to build everything back up and replace missing teeth of the entire mouth. That's what the term full mouth reconstruction is talking about.
Who would be a candidate for full mouth reconstruction?
It's typically a person who's lost some teeth, maybe all of their teeth, or they have severely worn-down teeth that need to be built back up. The person may have neglected their teeth or ground them down. We are basically trying to build everything back up and make it look like it did before the destruction of the teeth happened.
What would disqualify someone from being a candidate for full mouth reconstruction?
It could be someone who is in very poor health or has addictions to certain drugs. They may be poor candidates. Someone who will not be able to take care of their mouth is someone we would want to disqualify. In some cases, other diseases or health problems may hinder us from doing this treatment.
What are the different treatment options for full mouth reconstruction?
One option may be inlays or onlays, which are partial crowns that cover part of the teeth. Another option would be a crown, which covers the entire tooth and strengthens it. Bridges, which are like several crowns together that are attached, are another option. Dental implants are tooth replacements that we place in someone's jaw. Dentures, whether they be partial or full, are another option. A full denture is used when a patient is missing all their teeth, while a partial denture is used when some teeth are missing. Those are some options.
Is a general dentist qualified to perform a full mouth reconstruction?
They are, provided they have the proper training. Many dentists get training after dental school to perform such procedures. In our office, we've gotten training in different formats to get that done.
What is the process for going through a full mouth reconstruction?
First and foremost, we need to make sure the person is healthy. We get a thorough health history, their dental history, and make sure we know all the medicines they're taking. Then we get some records, which might include X-rays, photos, scans, and a complete dental exam. There are additional records we take when dealing with cases involving the whole mouth. We start the process by taking scans or molds of the teeth and may even get a mockup, a duplicate of what the final result will look like, either in a model form or in a photo form. The patient can see this to determine if it's what they're trying to achieve. Once the patient approves it, we proceed with the actual procedure of preparing teeth and spaces that need teeth. The lab is a very important part of getting this work done, and they are given the proper directions on how to create the crowns, bridges, implants, etc., or dentures that the patient may need. There may be several try-ins before the patient finally gets their restorations in their mouth. Finally, they get the final product, and there's follow-up and routine dental care needed to keep these restorations in good shape for the rest of their lives.
How long does a full mouth reconstruction take?
It all depends on each particular case. It can take several weeks because there are many steps involved in the process. I would say maybe 3 to 4 weeks, and hopefully, we can do that in most cases.
What anesthesia options will be available during the full mouth reconstruction process?
In our office, we use local anesthesia, where the patient is completely numb. If the patient seeks general anesthesia, some offices may offer that. There are options for people who are extremely anxious to have some oral medication to help with their anxiety.
How long does it take to heal from a full mouth reconstruction?
In some cases, there's no surgery involved at all, and there's no healing time. In cases where implants are placed, we generally say it can take 3 to 4 months for healing from the time the implants are placed until we're ready to actually put teeth on top of them. With dentures, if we need to remove teeth, we need to give some healing time for weeks before we can start the process. It varies depending on what type of full mouth reconstruction we're doing.
Are there special care instructions following a full mouth reconstruction?
Yes, after full mouth reconstruction, it's imperative that the patient's oral hygiene is excellent. They need to be taught and shown how to take care of their investment, as well as come in for their routine dental care. They need to be diligent about their oral hygiene and eating habits to have these restorations last a very long time.
Will a full mouth reconstruction last for the rest of my life?
They can last the rest of your life provided you take very good care of them. We have seen cases where they have lasted the rest of the patient's lives very well because the patient took the effort to take care of them.
Will dental insurance cover the cost of full mouth reconstruction?
That's a good question. Depending on your insurance, most insurances have a limit on what they will pay for each year, and they may cover up to that amount. Check with your insurance, or if you need to know, call our office. We can give you more information on that.
Are financing options available to help me pay for a full mouth reconstruction?
Yes, that's definitely possible. We have several financing options available in our office that can help you make affordable monthly payments.
How can I schedule an appointment to talk about full mouth reconstruction options?
Please call our office and tell them what you're interested in, whether you need to have all your teeth fixed or replaced, and we will schedule a consultation for you.
I hope we've been able to answer some of your questions on full mouth reconstruction. If you have more questions or are ready to take action, call us. If you have any more questions or if you'd like to schedule an appointment, please call our office at Montpelier Family Dentistry, LLC at (301) 812-4599.