5 Full Mouth Reconstruction Options You Need to Know

If your teeth have suffered from years of decay, dental wear, and trauma, fixing your smile may seem like an impossible task. After all, with so many issues, where do you even start? Fortunately, an experienced periodontist can create a personalized full mouth reconstruction plan after examining your teeth and gums. Full mouth reconstruction combines various cosmetic and restorative treatments to improve the health, function, and appearance of teeth. Because every person’s situation is unique, there is no such thing as a standard full mouth reconstruction. However, here are five services that your periodontist may suggest in order to rebuild and rejuvenate your smile.

#1: Dental Crown

A dental crown is basically a cap that is placed over a damaged, misshapen, or infected tooth to protect it from further harm. Crowns also restore the underlying tooth to its original shape, size, and function. This type of restoration can be made from a variety of durable materials, including amalgam metal and tooth-colored porcelain.

#2: Gum Recontouring

If you have a “gummy” smile that makes your teeth appear unnaturally small, your periodontist may recommend gum recontouring. This cosmetic treatment is used to trim away excess gum tissue and reshape the gum line. Aesthetic gum recontouring is a safe, virtually painless way to improve the appearance of your smile and can typically be completed in less than one hour.

#3: Gum Grafting  

Gum recession can occur due to genetics, gum disease, bruxism, or simply brushing your teeth too hard. As a result, your teeth may appear unnaturally long and you may have difficulty consuming hot or cold foods and drinks. Gum grafting takes gum tissue from other parts of the mouth and strategically places it along the gum line. Over the course of a few weeks, the body naturally integrates this portion of tissue with the rest of your gums, effectively sealing the exposed tooth and preventing the future breakdown of gum tissue.

#4: Root Canal Therapy

Root canals have a bad reputation but modern root canal therapy is a comfortable treatment designed to relieve dental pain. This restorative service involves removing damaged or infected inner pulp from a tooth, cleaning the tooth interior, and filling it with a biocompatible material. A few weeks later, your dentist or periodontist will cap the tooth with a permanent crown. In this way, root canal therapy can save a tooth that is badly decayed or infected.

#5: Dental Implants

Are you already missing one or more teeth? Dental implants can restore the gaps in your smile for years to come. Small titanium posts, dental implants are surgically inserted into the jawbone, where they integrate directly with the surrounding bone. Once this integration process is complete, a crown, bridge, or denture can be attached to the implant or implants. Implant treatment is the only tooth replacement option that restores teeth from the roots up.  

If you have several decayed or damaged teeth and don’t like the appearance of your smile, ask your periodontist if you could benefit from full mouth reconstruction.

About the Author

Dr. Franco Cordini has over 20 years of experience helping patients achieve the healthy, attractive smiles of their dreams. He has completed the extensive specialist training required for periodontics at the University of Louisville and regularly performs periodontal therapy, implant surgery, and more at his private practice. To learn more about full mouth reconstruction, visit the Cordini Periodontics website or call 502-425-5010.