Full-Mouth Dental Rehabilitation
Dr. Susan Wells – January 2010

Full-mouth rehabilitation is a term used to describe what amounts to a complete restoration or makeover of the mouth, in which the teeth, gums, and even problems with the jaw are given expert attention for a completely new oral health experience. Depending upon the needs of the individual patient the dentist may replace damaged or worn out teeth, repair structural features of the mouth to improve the alignment of the bite and the overall facial appearance, rejuvenate gums, or do cosmetic procedures. In other words a full-mouth rehab encompasses whatever is needed to totally treat the mouth and give you a new and improved smile.

The advantage of a full-mouth rehabilitation approach is that the patient can get results in a shorter amount of time, in a way that is more affordable, and with the benefits of a comprehensive evaluation and treatment – rather than a piecemeal approach that yields less holistic and far-reaching results. The dentist has the opportunity to take into account the whole mouth – both from a cosmetic perspective and from the point of view of what is best for the long-term oral health and hygiene of the patient. Then the work or treatment process is scheduled in such a way that more can be accomplished in less time – and with less money – so that the dental patient enjoys results sooner and gets the best possible treatment at the most reasonable price.

A full-mouth rehab program might include, for example, treatment for TMJ jaw problems, issues related to the muscles and ligaments that support the teeth and aid in chewing and speaking, and exploration of ways to use dental therapy to help prevent such diverse problems as headaches, neck pain, unpleasant breath, and even feelings of low self esteem. Cosmetically speaking, a full-mouth approach can replace all damaged or unsightly teeth while also eliminating the need for temporary dentures. Teeth can be whitened, straightened, and beautifully aligned – even if the patient has broken, lost, or badly diseased teeth or serious complications from periodontal disease.

The adverse effects of aging can be slowed or reversed, and the dentist can incorporate ultra high-tech dental innovations such as titanium micro-implants, laser treatment of disease, and removal of stains through sparkling tooth veneer procedures or state-of-the-art whitening treatments. If new synthetic crowns are to be used, dental robotics and computer precision instruments now make it possible to have those new teeth perfectly formed right in the dentist’s office, too. No longer do you have to wait weeks for replacement teeth to be sculpted outside the office in a special lab, and this reduces time and money while increasing the comfort of replacement teeth, bridges, and other orthodontic creations that contribute to oral health and a better looking smile.

The end result of a successful and comprehensive full-mouth restoration or rehabilitation is that the patient will experience improved dental functioning, enhanced protection from oral disease or infection, and a dramatically new smile that is both healthy and attractive. To learn more about the modern full-mouth approach to dental rehabilitation and wellness, just ask your dentist for more