Who is a candidate for full mouth reconstruction?
If you're having tooth problems and maybe it's been some time since you've been in to see a dentist, it's possible that full mouth reconstruction could be a good option for you. Really, our goal at the end of the day is to make sure everything looks great and is functional when it comes to full mouth reconstruction.
These are often people who have teeth that are in good enough shape to keep, but we need to reinforce them. Sometimes they're broken, sometimes they're decayed, but often we're needing to do a little something to everything.
What could disqualify someone from full mouth reconstruction?
If you don't have teeth, generally, even though that is kind of full mouth reconstruction, we don't always consider it that way. If you have no teeth, or if you have teeth but they have problems beyond repair, then you're looking more into doing something else, which would probably involve implants, versus full mouth reconstruction.
Full mouth reconstruction mostly refers to teeth that we're able to build off of, and we're going to redesign and reinforce them.
What treatment options are available for full mouth reconstruction?
We've got everything under the sun, I guess you could say. We have onlays, which are kind of like crowns. They're a little more conservative, but they cover the biting surface of the tooth to provide some strength while still conserving natural tooth structure.
We also have crowns and bridges. Crowns are kind of like thimbles that go over teeth. A bridge is like having multiple thimbles. Let's say you've got a missing tooth and we need to replace it. You put a thimble over the teeth on either side of the space, then you put a solid thimble in the middle, and they're all fused together. That's kind of what a bridge is.
A veneer is kind of like gluing a fake fingernail to a front tooth. It doesn't necessarily do a whole lot for strength, but it can do a good bit for cosmetics.
Then we have dental implants and dentures, and this can also fall under full mouth reconstruction. However, we're kind of starting with a blank slate at that point. We're either fitting something to your gums and giving you some teeth, which is dentures, or we're putting implants in and making implant-supported teeth. If your teeth are not in good enough shape to restore, then implants may be an option for somebody.
Is a general dentist qualified to perform full mouth reconstruction?
Yes, but it also kind of comes with a caveat because we are taught this in dental school. To be really good and proficient with it, though, you want to have education beyond dental school. We're not necessarily required to, but a lot of dentists, especially if there's a demand for it from their patient base, go on to take a lot of continuing education.
We use all kinds of fancy equipment, and some of the continuing education is simply learning the technology involved to be able to do this and do it right. Sometimes you can get a patient to the finish line, but you want to get patients to the finish line the first time as often as possible.
Having someone who's got the experience and education to get you to the finish line with the highest likelihood of getting there the first time is really, from a patient standpoint, a good option. The way you do that is through experience. When you do something over and over, you start to see patterns, you start to see things ahead of time, and you don't run into as many problems as you might your first, second, or third time doing full mouth reconstruction.
What is the process for full mouth reconstruction?
Depending on what type of restoration you're going to have, generally you're going to come in, see us, and we're going to talk about what issues you have. Are you having issues eating? Are you eating on one side? Are you having any pain or broken teeth? In the case of implants, sometimes you might be wearing dentures and having problems with those. We're going to talk to you about what issues you're having.
Then, what would you like to see happen? Are you wanting to keep your teeth? Are you okay with losing your teeth if that's necessary? Sometimes, if the teeth just aren't restorable, keeping them might not be a predictable route. We do a lot of these cases, so we have a pretty good idea in terms of predictability.
That's always what we want to talk to you about: What's predictable? We want to treat your investment in your mouth like it's our investment. In a lot of ways, it is. We're investing time in your mouth, and we're going to see it through. We want to give you sound advice. There's almost always more than one option in dentistry, but what is the most predictable route?
Sometimes the most predictable route isn't the most expensive. Even if it is more expensive, if it's the most predictable route, we want you to understand that as you're deciding how to invest in the results you're looking for.
You'll come in, we'll talk about the results you want and the problems you're having, and then we'll devise a plan. Then we've got to come up with the cost. I don't think it's any secret that dentistry tends to be expensive. When you're getting into some of this stuff, it can be expensive, but you're investing in something that you use all day, every day. You use your teeth to eat and chew. You use your teeth to smile. You use your teeth to speak.
Making an investment here is a huge decision, and we're part of it because, at many price points, we can usually find an option for a patient. At the same time, the cost isn't always the only issue. It's also, what kind of payment options do I have? Sitting and working with a patient and finding a way to make it affordable is one of the things we do best. We want to get you healthy, and we want you to feel good about it.
Once all of that is out of the way, we get started. In our office, when all of that stuff is talked about on the front end, then once we get into treatment, as long as it's a procedure we do in our office, we try to avoid surprising you with unexpected changes in cost if the treatment plan has to be adjusted. I think that's just doing right by the patient.
We'll go over all the steps with you based on the treatment you chose, but we'll do it from a big-picture standpoint to keep it a little simpler and not get lost in the details. At every stage, we let you know what the next appointment is going to involve.
We like to keep money as little of a stress for a patient as possible. That way, we can be focused on your health care, and you can be focused on the process. We like to have fun, and we make it fun. We're actually a pretty big joy to be around.
How long does full mouth reconstruction take?
It depends on what procedure you're having. If you're having whitening as part of your treatment, it could be a couple of hours. But if we're going through and doing the whole shebang, you may be there, in theory, all day.
Now, does that mean you're lying there with your mouth open like an alligator all day long? No. There are breaks, and there are moments where we're doing our thing and you're just lying there watching TV, texting, sitting up, or relaxing. But you could be here all day.
Can we break it up? Sure. If there's a need to break it up, we can absolutely do that. Sometimes patients generally want to come in, get it all done at once, and be done with it. But if there's a need to break it up, we can do that too.
What anesthesia options are available during full mouth reconstruction?
We can use nitrous, or laughing gas. For many patients, nitrous can be a good option, and you stay awake and aware of what's going on while feeling more relaxed.
We can also give some medicines to take before your appointment. We generally don't do IV sedation and completely knock you out. We work to keep patients comfortable throughout the procedures we perform.
There are also some benefits to working on a patient while you're conscious and able to open and close as we're working on you. That way, once we send you home, we have a better idea that what you're wearing is going to be comfortable for you.
How long does healing take after full mouth reconstruction?
It depends on what we're doing. With some treatments, you may feel recovered right away or within a few weeks. If it's implants, the healing process might take several months.
That doesn't mean you're necessarily in pain or unable to use your mouth for that entire time. We may give you something to wear while you're healing, and as far as you're concerned, it may already feel better than how you came in. You may be using it and thinking, "I guess they say I'm healing, but it feels pretty good in there." So if I say you're healing for several months, that doesn't necessarily mean you're barely getting along for that entire time.
Are there special care instructions after full mouth reconstruction?
Sure, and we go over them with you. In general, you're still going to stick to mostly the same things you already do, which are brushing, flossing, mouth rinse, and maybe a water flosser. You might have to floss a little differently. There's a little trick if you've got a bridge or something, but for the most part, your oral care isn't going to change a whole lot.
How long can full mouth reconstruction last?
It depends on your age and the type of restoration. I say that kind of being funny, but in a way it is a little bit true. We do have people in their 90s who want and choose to do some full mouth reconstruction. They're healthy, and they're starting to have their teeth fall apart on them.
With that said, everything comes with some responsibility on your part. There's nothing like what God gave you. Everything that's man-made has to be maintained and taken care of. You've got to be able to maintain and take care of your teeth, but what we're giving you is designed to be strong and durable.
There are also medical things that could come up as you age that could indirectly contribute to wear and tear on dental restorations. If you have to start taking a medication that causes dry mouth later in life, for example, that could create an uphill battle for you. However, there may be ways to manage those changes and help protect your restorations.
I would say there is nothing in dentistry that we dentists would say is guaranteed to last you a lifetime. There's a possibility of anything wearing out because it's man-made. Quite honestly, think about it. It's in a pretty harsh environment. We've got fluids in our mouths, plus everything we eat and chew, along with sugar and bacteria. We've got a lot going on in our mouths.
I'm pretty impressed with how well our man-made restorations can hold up in the mouth, but I wouldn't say they last a lifetime. How long they last depends on the restoration, your oral health, and how well they're maintained. When you're in the office and want to know more about that, we can talk specifically about it based on the restoration we feel is right for you.
Will dental insurance cover full mouth reconstruction?
It will sometimes help. Insurance is only going to get you so far. Is it going to cover everything that you need? Probably not. But are you going to get to take advantage of your insurance in some way? Probably so.
We can let you know specifically because insurance policies vary. When I first answer that question, I think about the mainstream insurance companies, but I realize some of you may have other insurance policies or companies that fall a little outside the norm. We always look at your insurance and try to help you use your benefits as much as possible.
Are financing options available for full mouth reconstruction?
Yes. I can't say yes enough. I love this because we didn't always have this available in dentistry. We didn't always have third-party financing companies available, but we have partnered with several financing companies to help patients get the oral care they need.
These financing companies have been a blessing to us and our patients. Now, I'm right there with you when it comes to financing companies. There can be fees involved, and if there's a way to do it without financing fees, that's awesome. However, I kind of view financing as one option that may make treatment more manageable for some patients.
These are high-tech companies. You get an account, you can see your balance, set up your payments, and manage when you want to pay them. It is just so nice that there are people out there who are as sophisticated and as good as they are.
We work with you when you're in the office and can help you through the process. We make it easy breezy. Then when you walk out, you know what your payment is expected to be and what the next steps are. I'm extremely happy when patients ask that question.
How can I schedule an appointment to discuss full mouth reconstruction?
If you’re ready to schedule an exam or would like to learn more about our services, we’d love to hear from you. Call us at (423) 592-7676 or email [email protected]. We look forward to caring for your smile.
Why Choose Full Mouth Rehabilitation?
Expertise and Experience: Our team of skilled dentists at Nooga Dentistry, led Dr Mark Dill, has extensive experience in full-mouth rehabilitation procedures. The team is committed to staying abreast of the latest advancements in dentistry to provide our patients with the highest quality of care.
Personalized Treatment Plans: At Nooga Dentistry we understand that every patient has unique dental concerns and goals. That's why we take the time to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your oral health and discuss your expectations before creating a customized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs.
Comprehensive Services: Our Full Mouth Rehabilitation services encompass a wide range of dental treatments, including but not limited to dental implants, crowns, bridges, veneers, orthodontics, and periodontal therapy. By combining these treatments, we can effectively restore your smile's function, aesthetics, and overall health.
State-of-the-Art Technology: At Nooga Dentistry, we utilize advanced dental technology to enhance the precision, efficiency, and comfort of your Full Mouth Rehabilitation. From digital imaging and computer-guided surgery to intraoral scanners, our state-of-the-art tools ensure superior outcomes for our patients.
Comfortable and Supportive Environment: We prioritize your comfort and well-being throughout the Full Mouth Rehabilitation process. Our friendly and caring team is here to support you every step of the way, ensuring that you feel relaxed and confident in your dental care.
Your Journey to a Renewed Smile
If you're ready to regain confidence in your smile and improve your overall oral health, Full Mouth Rehabilitation in Chattanooga at Nooga Dentistry is the solution you've been looking for. Schedule a consultation with our experienced team of dentists in Chattanooga today to learn more about how we can transform your smile and enhance your quality of life.
Contact Nooga Dentistry now to take the first step toward achieving the smile of your dreams.