Why We Might Recommend a Full Mouth Reconstruction
A full mouth reconstruction is recommended when the cause of tooth problems relates not just to a single tooth, but to the mouth as a whole. It is intended to address current tooth problems and prevent future ones to ensure a healthy, stable bite for years to come.
A full mouth reconstruction may be recommended if you experienced a car accident or other injury to your mouth that caused extensive damage.
Another common reason why a full mouth reconstruction might be necessary is extensive disease. This may be something like oral cancer or it may be related to long-term neglect of your oral health.
Another common reason for full mouth reconstruction is a bite problem. If you have TMJ or another type of bite problem, it can be reflected in repeated injury to individual teeth. Chipped teeth, cracked teeth, and deeply worn teeth can all be signs of bite problems. Just restoring the individual teeth can lead to repeated failure. A comprehensive treatment plan is required to ensure the health and function of your bite.
Collapsed Bite Repair
One strong indication that you need a full mouth reconstruction is that your bite has collapsed. You may not notice it, but your teeth aren’t just for biting and chewing: they perform a significant structural role as well. Your teeth should support your face, maintaining your jaw at the proper position. When several of your teeth have been damaged, worn, or even lost, your teeth can’t hold your jaw at the proper position. That’s what we call a collapsed bite.
Symptoms of a collapsed bite:
- Shrunken facial proportions
- Imbalanced facial appearance
- Wrinkles around the mouth
- Thin lips
- Sunken lips or lips that fold inward
- Difficulty chewing
- Biting lips, tongue, or cheek when chewing
- TMJ symptoms
- Sleep apnea and related breathing problems
If you experience these symptoms, a full mouth reconstruction is often the best approach to restoring your oral health.
The Full Mouth Reconstruction Process
Full mouth reconstructions are designed to restore your bite as a whole, not just individual teeth. Dr. Dustin Van Tassell and our team at StarImage Dentistry utilize neuromuscular dentistry to help us determine the cause of your bite problems and design a proper solution.
We’ll start out by taking some measurements of your bite in its current position. Proper diagnosis is key to proper treatment, so we’ll employ the most advanced imaging technologies to identify and characterize your bite. Panoramic x-rays and iCAT CT scan will give us good views on the structure of your teeth, jaws, and joints. Functional data from the K-7 system and T-Scan will tell us exactly how your bite is functioning in its current state.
We’ll use this data to help design an optimal bite position for your teeth. Sometimes we may recommend that you wear a bite splint temporarily to confirm the proper bite position and potentially help unlearn some bad chewing habits.
Meanwhile, we’ll design restorations that will put your bite into the proper position. This may include dental crowns, dental implants, and other restorations. Dr. Van Tassell’s advanced training in dental implants allows him to provide patients with reliable, long-lasting solutions for missing or damaged teeth. After placement of the restorations, we will verify that your bite is now in the proper position and fully functional.
As an experienced provider of full-mouth reconstructions in Wichita Falls, Dr. Van Tassell focuses on creating customized treatment plans for each patient, ensuring both functionality and aesthetics. His extensive knowledge of dental implants and restorative dentistry makes him a trusted resource for patients looking to regain the strength and appearance of their smiles.
If you are suffering because of an imbalanced, damaged, or collapsed bite and would like to learn more about full mouth reconstruction in Wichita Falls, TX, please call 940-322-2252 or contact us today for an appointment with Dr. Dustin Van Tassell, one of our expert cosmetic dentists at StarImage Dentistry.
