When dental professionals talk about full mouth reconstructions, it’s important to keep in mind that this includes a wide variety of dental services designed to restore the form and function of your smile. While some focus more on the esthetic portions of teeth, other treatments refer to the actual replacement of the tooth roots. If you’re missing several teeth, you’ll want to speak with an oral surgeon to see if a full mouth reconstruction in Alexandria is right for you. Before you do, keep reading learn more about the most common services you’ll likely talk about.
Dental Crowns
When teeth are damaged, they can still be salvaged in many cases with a custom-made dental crown. These restorations are designed from blocks of ceramic and created using detailed molds of the mouth ahead of time. After the tooth is slightly modified so it can hold a crown, the mold is created, then sent to a dental lab. The ceramists will use the model to fabricate a crown that fits in the patient’s mouth exactly, ensuring it looks natural and keeps the bite even.
Bridges and Dentures
A dental bridge combines multiple crowns together to create a larger restoration that fills gaps in the mouth after teeth are extracted. This restoration also attaches to teeth adjacent to the gap not only to make the smile complete, but prevent remaining teeth from shifting out of place.
The same logic can be applied to partial and full dentures. The main difference, however, is that dentures stay in place either by wrapping around neighboring teeth using metal hooks (partials) or by natural suction to the gum line (full dentures). Notably, they also consist of a gum-colored base that the restorations are attached to and is removed for cleaning and before sleeping.
While these tooth replacements can be affordable, they aren’t without their drawbacks. That’s where dental implants come in.
Dental Implants and All-on-4
If you want to take your full mouth reconstruction to the next level, dental implants are the most ideal long-term solution. Dental implants utilize titanium posts surgically placed inside of the jaw, effectively mimicking the tooth’s root. In the case of single dental implants, a dedicated crown is attached to complete the smile and restore more function compared to bridges or dentures.
When tooth loss is very severe, All-on-4 treatment can be a transformative procedure. By using just four dental implants strategically placed throughout the mouth, they can hold a dedicated top or bottom denture.
By choosing an oral surgeon for a full mouth reconstruction in Alexandria, you’ll be in more capable hands when it comes to your tooth replacement. In fact, your dentist is likely to refer you to an oral surgeon for this very reason. When it comes time to restore your dental implants with restorations, you’ll head back to the dentist to finish your full mouth reconstruction.
Schedule a consultation with an oral surgeon today to learn more about your tooth replacement options!
About Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial, & Implant Surgery (NOVA)
The oral surgeons of NOVA are highly experienced in surgical procedures designed to rebuild your smile from top-to-bottom, particularly dental implants and All-on-4 treatment. They’ll be happy to partner with your dentist and help determine the best options available to you for replacing teeth. To schedule an appointment, you can contact them through their website.