When Is Full Mouth Reconstruction an Option to Consider?

If you are one of the millions of Americans who experience tooth decay or tooth loss, you are certainly not alone. Getting dental treatment done under extreme circumstances like severe pain or infection can be traumatizing, and at times very costly. The good news is when you go to an experienced dentist at My Chico Dentist, a full arch restoration will help restore your oral health within a safe and comfortable setting. Your oral health and smile is something that should not be compromised, so if you are in need of quality dental care, it is a must that you look for the best prosthodontist near Chico, CA. 

There are many reasons for a full mouth reconstruction, but the most common include trauma, gum disease, and tooth decay. Full arch restoration can be done in many ways depending on a person’s needs and budget, but the great thing about dentistry is there is no one-fits-all option. The dentists at My Chico Dentist are here to help you explore all of your treatment options so you feel confident with your healthy, restored smile. Here we assess all the reasons why a full mouth rehabilitation may be required, and discuss treatment options, so you can make the best decision if you are in need of care.

1. Trauma

People don’t plan for accidents to happen, but unfortunately they occur frequently. Whether you had tooth trauma from a sports injury, car accident, or even a slip and fall, teeth are susceptible to injury and can be fractured, damaged, or even lost. While we don’t anticipate tooth trauma, there are ways we can protect ourselves and limit the risk of hurting our precious smiles. 

If you or your children play contact sports like lacrosse, hockey, football, or soccer, wear a custom made mouth guard that is designed to protect your teeth, soft tissue, and jaw. It is the most cost effective (and safe) way to protect your teeth by getting a guard that is custom fabricated to fit your mouth and avoid serious injuries that may result in fractured teeth, or the loss of permanent teeth. 

Lifestyle habits like motorcycle riding, skateboarding, and cycling sometimes result in injuries, leaving people with injured teeth, so remember to wear a helmet, use safety measures, and ride or skate in safe places. 

When your teeth get injured from trauma, it can cause problems requiring full mouth reconstruction, including root canal therapy, bonded restorations, crowns, and dental implants. Your dentists at My Chico Dentist are here to help guide you to reconstructing a functional and healthy smile, but it is also our goal to educate you on protecting those pearly whites. 

2. Gum Disease

Gum disease is a condition that can range from mild to severe, which is why dentists recommend going for routine care every six months to evaluate if treatment is needed to prevent long-term dental issues. Gum disease results from poor oral hygiene, tobacco use, and a weakened immune system. When gum disease becomes moderate or severe, it can lead to inflammation, bleeding gums, and bone loss. Since bone surrounds the teeth and ultimately keeps them in place, when there is bone loss, it often leads to mobile teeth and even tooth loss. 

This creates a problematic domino effect for other teeth because tooth loss often is associated with the remaining teeth shifting, adjacent teeth experiencing bone loss on one side, and cosmetic concerns. 

We assure you that if you have gum disease, it is our goal to help restore those missing teeth and resolve gum problems with full arch restoration. Treatment options can range from removable prosthodontic appliances, to fixed bridges and implants. Depending on your stage of gum disease, we may recommend a gum graft to prevent further breakdown of bone in the area and help stabilize your jawbone to prevent a sunken appearance and aging effect. 

3. Tooth Decay 

Tooth decay is one of the main reasons for the need for full mouth reconstruction because decay leads to the need for dental fillings, crowns, and sometimes even more challenging dental work, like bridges and implants. Tooth decay results from poor oral hygiene and frequent consumption of highly sugary foods. Less common reasons for cavities are: medications that cause dry mouth and acid reflux, but ultimately they all result in weakened enamel leading to tooth decay. 

To prevent tooth decay, dentists recommend brushing and flossing daily with a fluoride toothpaste and eating a healthy, well-balanced diet. Going for routine dental care is a necessity to evaluate for cavities in their early stages that are treatable with less invasive treatment. 

When tooth decay inflicts pain or causes an embarrassing aesthetic issue, there is an option for full mouth reconstruction at My Chico Dentist to get back that natural, harmonious smile you deserve. Full mouth reconstruction can restore the healthy function you need like chewing, speaking, and laughing, and the aesthetic result you want so you feel proud of your smile. 

What are your options when you have tooth decay? It can range from several composite tooth -colored dental fillings, dental veneers, crowns, bridges, removable appliances, or implants. Sometimes it requires a combination of treatment to get the best result for the patient. A great option for some patients are removable appliances to be used as a stepping stone before full mouth dental implants are used as a permanent treatment. 

Am I a good candidate for full mouth reconstruction?

Every person requires different dental needs and has varying aesthetic concerns and budget limitations. The wonderful thing about dental treatment at My Chico Dentist is that each patient is treated as an individual and a custom treatment plan is designed for every patient. The best prosthodontist near Chico, CA, is here to help guide you through the treatment process so that you can be in the driver’s seat of your oral health decisions and you feel confident in your choices at My Chico Dentist. 

If you experience tooth decay, gum disease, or trauma and need to restore a single tooth or full arch, you should definitely schedule a consultation with your dentist to get started on restoring your oral health.