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.
Types of Full Mouth Reconstruction
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.
Crowns
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.
Bridges
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.
Veneers
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.
Implants
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.
Dentures
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 La Puente, CA.
Conclusion
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 MyDentist La Puente at 626-345-6117 for an appointment in our La Puente office.
Related Posts
The term "root canal" often causes anxiety in patients. This fear is largely due to misconceptions surrounding this dental procedure. However, a root canal is an effective treatment that can relieve pain, save a natural tooth, and prevent further complications. By understanding the most common myths about root canals, patients can approach this treatment with…
Dental crowns can restore your smile. These restorations can bring back your normal dental function at the same time. Understanding the reasons to get caps to improve your looks can motivate you to set an appointment. Here are the cosmetic reasons for getting dental crowns.Severe decay deteriorates the enamel. This condition weakens the dental structure.…
Anyone with damaged, decayed, discolored, or misaligned teeth might be an ideal candidate for dental crowns. Also called caps, these restorations have various uses in dentistry and are often combined with other restorations like implants and bridges.A dental crown is a tooth-shaped shell that covers up the visible part of a tooth, protecting it against…