Full mouth restoration is a combination of multiple procedures that are used to treat a person with extensive tooth loss, tooth decay, gum disease, trauma, and other oral wear and tear. The combination of multiple dental treatments can help save a person from losing more teeth or losing the ability to use their mouth altogether. Full mouth restoration is often a last resort for many patients.
There are many procedures that can be completed as part of full mouth restoration, but only a few are listed here. More information about veneers, dental implants, crowns, and bridges from Cental Davis Dental can be found on their own individual web pages.
Dental Fillings
The first step to ensure that your teeth stay healthy is dental fillings. These can be used for smaller damage to the teeth like cavities or breakage. When you seek full mouth restoration, a dentist will perform fillings first on teeth that may not need more extensive treatment. Composite or ceramic fillings are the most common materials used to fill in gaps in your teeth.
Inlays And Onlays
An inlay is used to repair a tooth with damage or decay that is only on the occlusal surface (chewing surface) of the tooth. They are typically made from porcelain, ceramic, or resin and are made custom to your tooth in a dental lab. They are bonded to the top of the tooth using dental cement.
Onlays are often referred to as partial crowns and are used for tooths with more major decay. Onlays cover a large portion of the teeth to help protect what is left of the remaining tooth structure. Similar to inlays, these are custom-made to your teeth and bonded securely. Onlays are recommended to help preserve as much of the natural tooth as possible.
Orthodontic Treatments
Braces, Invisalign, or other clear aligners are all part of orthodontic treatment. These processes are used to move teeth into the correct position, make it easier to chew and prevent jaw deterioration. Orthodontics is used in full mouth restoration to help dentists have a more secure base to apply fillings or perform other treatments. It is also helpful to help patients love their smile because all teeth are aligned and straight.
Periodontal Treatments
These treatments are used for those patients with gum disease or damage from gum disease. Periodontal treatments include multiple procedures that help to improve the gums. These services can include regular dental cleanings, scaling and root planing, flap surgery, gum grafts, and laser therapy. Gum disease management is the first step in periodontal treatments with gum surgery to follow, if necessary.
Endodontic Therapy
Commonly referred to as root canal treatment is used when dentists are trying to save a tooth from decay. Endo means “inside” so these procedures work on the pulp and roots of a tooth. Infected pulp is removed, the inside of the tooth is cleaned, and the tooth is filled with a biocompatible material and capped with a crown. Endodontic treatment has a high success rate for patients being able to keep the infected tooth for the remainder of their life.
Occlusal Or Bite Adjustment
Bite adjustment is the focus of occlusal procedures. It helps to remedy overbites, underbites, Bruxism, bite irregularities, and TMJ disorders. Adjustment is usually done by removing small amounts of the enamel on specific areas of the teeth. This will even out the person’s bite and create a balance between the upper and lower teeth.
Jaw Surgery
For patients who have a more severe bite problem or jaw alignment issues, surgery may need to be performed. While jaw surgery can help improve the look of an overbite or underbite, it can also help improve a patient’s ability to talk, chew, or breathe. Jaw surgery is typically performed in a hospital under general anesthesia. Incisions are made inside the mouth to access the jaw bone and the surgeon will reposition the upper jaw bone (maxilla) or the lower jaw bone (mandible).
Teeth Whitening
After preventative procedures and restorative procedures have been completed, some patients will want to have their teeth whitened so they are all uniform. The goal of full mouth restoration is to give the patients the smile of their dreams while also preventing further oral pain. In order for the smile to look pristine and hide any fake teeth, teeth whitening may be needed to help the patient obtain a consistent color.