Full mouth rehabilitation is an incredibly personalized treatment that can vary greatly from person to person. Full mouth rehabilitation is a plan for full mouth reconstruction that optimizes all health-related aspects of the mouth. This includes the teeth, gums and the bite (the way your upper and lower teeth work together). This is a reconstruction and in many cases where full mouth rehabilitation is required, it may be necessary to remove a number or even all of the teeth. According to New York Total Dental, the process requires expertise in general, specialty and cosmetic dentistry and is a combination of all three.
Who is likely to need a full mouth rehabilitation?
A person whose teeth have been lost or severely damaged due to trauma or decay is likely to need the treatment. Teeth that are fractured, cracked, eroded by acidic materials and grinding of the teeth can become irreparable and need to be removed. It is also common among people who have pain in the jaw and jaw muscles which require repeated adjustments to the person’s bite. In short, full mouth rehabilitation is when the existing teeth are not considered to be viable to live a normal, healthy life. The treatment is sometimes almost like getting a new mouth altogether.
What surgical procedures are needed for full mouth rehabilitation?
This varies from person to person and the nature of the tooth damage or decay. However, there are a number of surgical procedures usually involved in the process. Here is a list of likely procedures.
• Orthognathic surgery that helps reposition or realign the jaw.
• Periodontal care and prophylactic tooth cleaning
• Dental implants, crowns, veneers and bridges to replace teeth.
• Orthodontics to create an optimal reconstruction environment
• Bone or tissue grafting to increase the stability of the teeth, implants or other restorative implements.
• This not an exhaustive list, but the above procedures are often core to full mouth rehabilitation.
How much does it cost?
Full mouth reconstruction is an expensive process that can cost upwards of $30,000. The costs for each tooth usually vary between $700 and $1600 per tooth depending on the damage and decay to the teeth. Some of the procedures required may be covered under your dental plan if you have one, but a lot depends on the treatments you need to take in order to complete the full mouth rehabilitation. If you cannot afford to make a large payment immediately, your dentist may be able to assist you with third-party financing options.
Are there any other alternatives?
This depends on the state of your teeth. If the primary role of reconstruction is to get the ideal smile, then it may be more prudent to go for a smile makeover. However, if there is tooth decay and damage, it may be unavoidable. Tooth decay can lead to constant toothache as well as other health complications, so it can be dangerous not to correct the damage. The reasoning behind full mouth rehabilitation is primarily health-based, although it can lead to a significantly improved aesthetic value in your teeth.
