Life can be hard on teeth. If you have multiple broken, decayed, or missing teeth, you may be a good candidate for what is known as “full mouth reconstruction.” The cosmetic dentistry office of SoCal Smiles, led by Dr. Scott Karafin and Dr. Mi Jung Jin, offers full mouth reconstruction to its Rancho Santa Margerita patients as a way to restore the beautiful healthy smile of their youth. But in order to know if full mouth reconstruction is right for you, first you must understand what the procedure involves.

What Is Full Mouth Reconstruction?

The term “full mouth reconstruction” does not refer to any one specific dental procedure. Instead, it references a number of different procedures that can be used alone or in tandem to correct complex or severe dental conditions. These procedures include, but are not limited to:

• Metal alloy or composite tooth-colored fillings
• Individual porcelain dental crowns or dental bridges
• Porcelain veneers
• Removable or permanent full dentures
• Dental implants
• Traditional or Invisalign® orthodontic treatments
• Tooth whitening
• Root planing and scaling

Treatment plans for full mouth reconstruction depend entirely on the condition of each individual patient’s oral structure. Some patients may need only a partial mouth reconstruction with cosmetic treatments like porcelain veneers or tooth whitening and orthodontics with fillings and sealants to correct and protect against first signs of decay. Those that suffer from more serious issues like multiple missing or broken teeth, on the other hand, will benefit from more intense treatment strategies including dental crowns and bridges with the option of dental implants for added strength and permanence.

What Dental Conditions Can Be Treated with Full Mouth Reconstruction?

As a collective dental procedure, full mouth reconstruction can be used to treat a variety of dental conditions including:

• Multiple missing, broken, or malformed teeth
• Multiple teeth that are damaged due to accident or injury
• Worn down teeth and bite issues stemming from teeth grinding (bruxism), nail biting, or other chronic habits
• Permanent stains or discoloration on multiple teeth
• Jaw pain from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues
• Overbites, underbites, crossbites, crowded teeth, or other bite issues that cannot be helped through orthodontics alone
• Gingivitis and periodontitis (gum disease)

In addition to problems involving the teeth, full mouth reconstruction can also correct cosmetic issues with the gums – through laser treatment, the gum line can be redrawn for a more attractive smile. If you are struggling with one or more of these issues, don’t hesitate to talk to your dentist about the possibility of full mouth reconstruction.

Contact Your Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry Specialists Today

Decayed, broken and missing teeth can make it difficult and even painful to perform everyday tasks you once took for granted, like chewing and talking comfortably. But severe dental issues can also be a source of anxiety and self-consciousness, causing you to miss out on all that life has to offer. But you don’t have to settle – contact SoCal Smiles Dentistry to schedule a consultation and learn more about the benefits of full mouth reconstruction today.