Full Mouth Reconstruction
Naperville, IL
Full Mouth Reconstruction provided by Dr. Michael Scherer
in Naperville, IL at Wheaton Oral Surgery
 At Wheaton Oral Surgery, we perform full mouth reconstructions that combine aesthetics with restorative dentistry to improve the beauty of your smile, as well as the health and function of your teeth and gums.
Your teeth are important tools for eating, but their role in your life doesn't end there. Not only do they help you consume your food, but they also affect the way you look. They are a representation of your overall health that can affect both your personal and professional interactions.
Who Needs Full Mouth Reconstruction?
Over time, your teeth endure normal wear and tear. However, they can also experience dental trauma, severe decay or infection, or gum disease that can cause tooth loss.
Therefore, you may need full mouth reconstruction for a number of reasons. As the name indicates, full mouth reconstruction involves rebuilding or replacing all of the teeth in both your upper and lower jaws.
The majority of the time, a patient will simply have a combination of dental issues that affect their entire mouth. In such cases, we provide comprehensive treatment to improve overall function and aesthetics. Treatable oral health issues that may exist include badly worn teeth, broken or cracked teeth, multiple missing teeth, gum disease, or teeth with large fillings that are decayed or failing.
In addition, some patients are born with Amelogenesis, Ectodermal Dysplasia, or Dentinogenesis Imperfecta. These are all fancy words for conditions that cause abnormal formation of the teeth and that affect the whole mouth. More often than not, we will perform full mouth reconstruction for these patients.
What Is the Full Mouth Reconstruction Process?
Full mouth reconstruction is a comprehensive dental treatment that aims to restore the entire mouth's function, health, and aesthetics. This process involves multiple procedures tailored to address issues such as extensive tooth decay, missing teeth, bone loss, and gum disease.
Prior to beginning reconstruction, we will need to perform a comprehensive exam to determine the extent of oral health issues. At this point, we will weigh the available treatment options with you and design a treatment plan that addresses your specific dental problems.
First, the condition of your teeth will affect which treatments are appropriate for you. Treatments to restore your teeth may include crowns, porcelain veneers, bridges, implants, and inlays or onlays. Specifically, we will take note of existing cavities or decay, cracked or broken teeth, worn teeth, extra long or short, misshapen teeth, loose teeth, and root canal issues.
In addition, we will want to check the condition of your gums. Depending on the severity of any issues, we may need to perform teeth scaling and root planing. However, you may need more intensive periodontal treatments to ensure that your reconstruction has a solid foundation. This will depend on whether you have insufficient or excessive gum tissue, deep pockets, bone density irregularities, or periodontal disease. Procedures can include bone grafts or soft tissue grafts to build your gums and jawbone.
We will also assess your bite to determine if it allows you to chew and close your mouth without damaging your teeth. If your bite is unstable, you may need orthodontic adjustments as part of the reconstruction process.
Aesthetics is another important consideration for full mouth reconstruction. We will examine the shape, size, and color of your teeth to determine how they look in relation to your lips, gums, side profile, and shape of your face.
Procedures Involved in Full Mouth Reconstruction
Ridge Augmentation and Bone Grafting
One of the foundational procedures in full mouth reconstruction is ridge augmentation and bone grafting. These techniques are essential for patients experiencing dental bone loss and alveolar ridge deficiency, which can result from tooth extraction, trauma, or periodontal disease.
Ridge augmentation involves adding bone or bone substitute to the alveolar ridge to increase its volume and support dental implants. Conversely, bone grafting uses bone from another part of the patient's body or a donor to replace lost bone tissue.
Guided Bone Regeneration
Guided bone regeneration (GBR) is a procedure that utilizes barrier membranes to direct the growth of new bone at sites with insufficient volume. This technique is particularly beneficial for dental implant placement, as it ensures the necessary bone structure is in place to support the implants. The membranes prevent soft tissue from invading the bone graft site, allowing optimal bone healing and regeneration.
Sinus Lift
A sinus lift, also known as sinus augmentation, is a surgical procedure that increases the height of the upper jaw's bone tissue to accommodate dental implants. This is often necessary for patients with insufficient bone height in the maxillary sinus area. The sinus membrane is lifted during the procedure, and bone graft material is placed into the space to promote bone growth. This creates a stable foundation for dental implants and improves the overall success rate of implant placement.
Ridge Preservation
Ridge preservation is a preventive measure taken immediately after tooth extraction to maintain the alveolar ridge's shape and volume. By placing a grafting material into the socket where the tooth was removed, ridge preservation helps prevent bone loss and supports the future placement of dental implants. This procedure ensures that the natural contours of the jawbone are maintained, minimizing the need for extensive bone grafting later on.
Ridge Expansion
Ridge expansion, also known as ridge splitting, is a technique used to widen the alveolar ridge when it is too narrow to support dental implants. The ridge is divided during this procedure, and bone graft material is inserted into the split, promoting new bone growth and increasing the ridge's width. This method allows for the successful placement of implants in areas that would otherwise be unsuitable due to insufficient bone volume.
Ridge Splitting
Ridge splitting, similar to ridge expansion, involves creating a split in the alveolar ridge to widen it and make room for dental implants. This procedure benefits patients with narrow ridges who require additional bone width to ensure stable implant placement. By carefully separating the ridge and adding bone graft material, ridge splitting enhances the structural integrity of the jawbone and facilitates successful implant integration.
Recovery and Aftercare
Here are recovery and aftercare instructions to keep in mind.
Post-Operative Instructions
Proper recovery and aftercare are crucial for achieving optimal results following full mouth reconstruction. Patients will receive specific post-operative instructions, including guidelines for oral hygiene, diet, and activity restrictions. It's essential to follow these instructions diligently to promote healing and minimize the risk of complications. Regular follow-up appointments with the dental team will also be scheduled to monitor progress and address any concerns.
Potential Complications and Management
While full mouth reconstruction is generally safe and effective, there are potential complications that patients should be aware of. These may include infection, swelling, bleeding, and discomfort. However, these issues can often be managed with appropriate medications, rest, and proper care. In rare cases, additional treatments may be necessary to address complications and ensure successful outcomes.
Schedule with Your Oral Surgeon in Naperville Today!
If you're considering full mouth reconstruction or want to learn more about the procedures involved, contact Wheaton Oral Surgery and schedule an appointment by calling (331) 204-0314. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing personalized care and helping you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile. |
