What is full mouth rehabilitation?
Full Mouth Rehabilitation is the process of rebuilding and restoring your teeth by combining different restorative dental treatments to get your dental health to its best state possible. The goal of full mouth rehabilitation is not just to rebuild your smile but to also strengthen your teeth and improve your overall oral health.
Full mouth rehabilitation usually involves procedures such as crowns, bridges, veneers, etc. They can also include procedures that help in restoring the health of the gums with the help of a periodontist.
When do you need full mouth rehabilitation?
If you generally feel dissatisfied with your smile or find frequent issues with your oral health, you must visit your dentist to discuss the possibility of a full mouth rehabilitation. Depending upon your problems, your dentist will advise you if you do or do not need a full mouth rehabilitation. There are some cases that can tell if you need these procedures to restore your dental health:
- If you’ve lost teeth due to decay or trauma.
- If you’ve teeth that have been injured or fractured.
- If your teeth have been severely worn out due to long-term acid erosions or tooth grinding.
- If you experience ongoing pain in the jaw, muscles, and head, and require adjustments in your bite.
What is the process of full mouth rehabilitation?
The process of full mouth rehabilitation begins with you having a detailed discussion with your dentist about your oral health. Your dentist will then perform an oral exam and identify any need for the process. If they see a possibility, they will suggest you to get one or more X-rays to look at the condition of your teeth below the surface. If there are any fractures or decay found, it will be noted to add them to the number of procedures performed during the full mouth rehabilitation.
The next step in the process is to ensure the health of your gum. If your gums are not healthy, you will likely need periodontal root planning before your rehabilitation. This will be performed by a periodontist. If any other issues are found in the gum, they will need to get treated before the rehabilitation starts as well. This is because extensive treatment will not be entirely productive if the foundation of your teeth is weak.
Once the health of your gum is assured, the dentist will move on to ask you the history of your oral health. This step is important to know if there are some procedures that have already been performed or if you have a history of tooth decay. It will play an important role in designing your rehabilitation plan.
Your dentist is also likely to ask you about any jaw pain or headaches due to your bite. If yes, the rehabilitation will include perfecting your bite in a way that solves these issues.
Finally, a discussion will occur between you and your dentist about the aesthetics of your smile. You’ll be asked what kind of smile do you hope to achieve by the rehabilitation. Size, color, shape, etc. will be the main topic of discussion here, along with the kind of crowns you’ll want to get if needed.
After all of these relevant information has been recorded, your dentist will take sometime to draw a comprehensive step-by-step-step plan for your full mouth rehabilitation. It will be properly explained to you and confirmed by you. If you are comfortable with the treatment plan, it will go forward.
What will my treatment look like?
What your treatment looks like will depend upon a number of factors, including the problems in your teeth, jaw, gum, etc., your needs and wants with your smile, your dentist’s suggestions, etc. The treatment plan for full mouth rehabilitation looks different for each person, and for logical reasons. Every person’s oral health is different and requires different procedures.
One thing to remember during the process is that it will be long. Full mouth rehabilitation processes can go up to 12 months. It is advised to be patient and go with the pace your dentist suggests as they know what works for you the best. The rehabilitation will involve multiple phases and several office visits. It may even involve teeth cleaning and filling, if necessary.
Try not to be alarmed if any complications arise during your procedures. Usually, your dentist will warn you of all the problems that can occur. If not, you can revisit and discuss all your worries with them.
Here at Dental RI, we have a team of compassionate and skillful dentists who will guide you through the entire process of full mouth rehabilitation. You can schedule an appointment today and discuss your specific needs with them. We are here to take care of your entire family’s dental health, from providing expert opinions to treating your dental problems.