What is a full mouth restoration?

Full mouth restoration is a comprehensive dental treatment that involves restoring or replacing all of the teeth in the upper and lower jaws. This treatment is designed for individuals who have multiple dental problems, including missing, damaged, or decayed teeth, gum disease, bite problems, and other oral health issues. Full mouth restoration is a customized treatment plan that may involve a combination of dental procedures, such as dental implants, crowns, bridges, veneers, gum treatments, and orthodontics. The goal of full mouth restoration is to restore the health, function, and appearance of the entire mouth, improving the patient’s oral health and quality of life. If you have multiple dental issues that are impacting your smile, Full Mouth Restoration may be the solution you’ve been looking for.

Are you a candidate for a full mouth restoration?

Patients who suffer from multiple dental issues such as chipped or missing teeth, cracked or broken crowns, severe decay, enamel breakdown, and stains may benefit from a full mouth restoration. This comprehensive treatment approach aims to restore the function, health, and aesthetic of the entire mouth.

Dental issues such as missing or damaged teeth can make it difficult to chew, speak, and even smile with confidence. A full mouth restoration can address these issues and restore the ability to perform basic oral functions with ease. It can also enhance the appearance of your teeth and boost your self-esteem.

Moreover, some patients choose to undergo a full mouth restoration to correct crooked or misaligned teeth without undergoing orthodontic treatment. This is especially beneficial for those who may not have the time or patience for traditional braces or aligners.

If you’re experiencing dental pain or discomfort, difficulty eating or speaking, or if you’re unhappy with the appearance of your teeth, schedule a consult with our Lawrence, MA dentist to determine if a full mouth restoration is right for you. We will evaluate your oral health and create a personalized treatment plan that addresses your individual needs and goals.

What are dentures?

Dentures are dental prostheses designed to replace natural teeth that have been lost or removed. These artificial teeth and gums are custom-made by your dentist to fit your mouth and restore your ability to eat, speak, and smile with confidence. Depending on your needs, dentures can be full or partial, replacing either all teeth on the top or bottom gum line or just a few missing ones. Your dentures will be tailored to fit your unique mouth shape and color-matched to blend seamlessly with your existing teeth, ensuring a natural-looking and comfortable fit.

What Should I Expect When Being Fitted for Dentures?

In the event that you have damaged or decayed teeth that need to be extracted, our dentist will first perform the necessary extractions before taking a mold of your remaining gum structure and the roof of your mouth. This mold serves as a blueprint for the fabrication of your dentures, ensuring that they fit comfortably and securely.

Once the mold is taken, it will be sent to a dental laboratory where skilled technicians will create your customized dentures. 

When the completed dentures are ready, you will return to our dental office in Lawrence, MA for a final fitting. During this appointment, our dentist will check the fit and adjust the dentures if necessary to ensure that they are comfortable and secure. We will also provide instructions on how to properly care for your new dentures to ensure their longevity and performance.

It’s important to keep in mind that adjusting to new dentures can take time and patience. You may experience some discomfort or soreness as your mouth adjusts to the dentures, but this is normal and should subside within a few weeks. As you become more accustomed to your dentures, you’ll be able to enjoy the many benefits they offer, including improved chewing ability, clearer speech, and a restored sense of confidence. With proper care and maintenance, your dentures can provide you with a functional and natural-looking set of teeth for many years to come.

What are All-on-4 dental implants?

The All-on-4 dental implant technique, also referred to as full arch implants, comprises four titanium posts strategically implanted along the arch of the jaw and connected to a denture plate. Its primary goal is to replace a complete arch of teeth, restoring the functionality of your bite and the aesthetic of your smile.

This method is an exceptional solution for missing teeth that entails a minor two-hour surgery per arch. The All-on-4 system eliminates the necessity for bone grafts to support the implant as the dentist can position the posts in the most compact part of the jaw. It reduces chair time and recovery time as the whole process, from post insertion to denture fitting, is accomplished in one session, allowing you to leave with a brand new smile on the same day.

Who is a candidate for All-on-4?

If you’re wondering whether full mouth implants are a viable option for your dental concerns, the answer is yes! Here are some common situations where we may recommend this treatment:

• Your missing, failing, or damaged teeth severely affect your daily life, eating habits, and self-confidence when smiling.
• You’ve tried dentures, but they don’t fit properly, cause discomfort, and risk embarrassing accidents.
• Conventional implants aren’t an option for you due to reduced bone density resulting from tooth loss or gum disease.

WHY DO YOU NEED A DENTAL CROWN?

In the past, you may have had fillings to repair your teeth therefore you may wonder why you require an onlay or crown this time? Both of these options are an ideal way to restore teeth that have large, old restorations that can’t be repaired. Dental crowns also help to strengthen teeth after root canal therapy. These restorations are also recommended to restore a tooth that has been fractured or extensively damaged by decay in a way that a filling can’t fix.

Crowns are designed to adhere to your remaining tooth structure and cover your tooth like a cap. This allows it to encase the entire tooth, so you can eat, chew, brush, and floss with ease again.

What Types of Dental Bridges Are Available?

Dental crowns generally have a uniform structure, but the various types of dental bridges exhibit distinct variations in their structure. At present, four different types of dental bridges are available: traditional, cantilever, Maryland, and implant-supported. The traditional dental bridge is composed of two dental crowns utilized as anchors with a fake tooth or teeth placed in the middle, making it one of the most widely used types of dental bridges. Similarly, a cantilever bridge utilizes an anchor crown only on one adjacent tooth to the missing tooth. Due to the potential excessive strain on the anchor tooth, cantilever bridges are usually not recommended, although they may be necessary towards the back of the mouth. A Maryland dental bridge, like a traditional dental bridge, employs the same structure, but instead of dental crowns, it employs a metal framework attached to the backs of the two teeth on either side of the gap. Finally, an implant-supported dental bridge is identical in structure to a traditional bridge, but with dental implants serving as the anchor teeth.