Restorative Dentistry |5 min read

How Long Does Full Mouth Reconstruction Take?

Close up of a woman's perfect white smile after full mouth reconstruction.

Does your smile need some help? If you’ve started researching your smile makeover options, you’re probably wondering – how long does full mouth reconstruction take?

Let’s start with the basics. What is full mouth reconstruction, exactly?

Over the years, our teeth change. Lack of consistent, proper care can cause them to decay and degrade. Sometimes, accidents damage their structure, function, and appearance. Lifestyle factors such as stress can cause you to clench your jaw and grind your teeth, wearing them down and altering your bite.

Full mouth reconstruction uses a combination of reconstructive and cosmetic dental techniques to completely overhaul your smile.

This may include:

Each person’s smile correction needs are unique. Therefore, your full mouth reconstruction treatment plan is custom-tailored for your smile goals.

Sometimes, the fix is relatively simple and can be completed in just a few visits. In other cases, an artistic combination of periodontal services is needed over the course of several months.

What does each of these techniques entail? We’ll cover each in more detail.

Dental Implants

The number one solution to replace missing teeth.

Missing teeth is more than just a cosmetic problem. Your jawbone needs regular stimulation from chewing to maintain healthy density. When you’re missing a tooth, the surrounding jawbone doesn’t get this necessary activity and quickly begins to degrade. This can lead to a host of other structural and oral health problems, so it’s important not to ignore it!

Luckily, there is a great answer to this problem: dental implants!

Dental implants are the only restorative solution that preserves the health of the underlying bone structure. Implants are surgically placed in your jaw, where they naturally fuse with the surrounding bone, allowing proper stimulation to occur.

Your implant is then topped with a beautiful new crown to complete your natural-looking tooth restoration.

The full dental implant process takes several months, in order to allow your implant to fully fuse with the jawbone. Our professional periodontists in Issaquah will help you to choose between different types of dental implants and do the whole procedure in the best way.

Learn More About Dental Implants

Non-surgical periodontal treatment

Stop gum disease in its tracks.

Our gums play an important role in our oral health. Painful, tender, or bleeding gums are signs of periodontal disease…Opens in new window to Healthline article with more details about gum disease…, an infection of the tissue that surrounds and supports your teeth.

Gum disease should not be ignored, even if relatively mild. If left untreated, it can lead to serious problems such as tooth loss.

Fortunately, for mild to moderate cases, there are many non-surgical treatments available to get your gum health back on track. These include periodontal exams, cleanings, scaling, and root planning, which can all be completed in a single visit. Our periodontists in Bellevue also offer LANAP laser therapy – modern alternative to traditional periodontal surgery.

Surgical periodontal treatment

Resolve more advanced gum disease and periodontal issues.

It’s best to always start with the least invasive treatment options. In cases where the tissue or bone surrounding your teeth is too damaged to be repaired with non-surgical treatment, there are several surgical treatment options available to restore your smile’s health.

These surgical options include:

Many of these treatments can be completed in a single visit, though they may require follow-up appointments.

Learn More About Periodontal Surgery

 

Extractions

Get relief from problematic teeth.

No one likes the idea of getting a tooth removed. However, it’s sometimes necessary to prepare for other procedures in your full mouth rehabilitation treatment plan. In the case of a severely damaged or decayed tooth, removal is the last resort solution.

Tooth extraction can usually be completed in a single visit Dr. Raval in Bellevue, depending on the number of teeth and the extent of the procedure.

Learn More About Tooth Extraction

Cosmetic dentistry

Polish your new smile to perfection.

Once all the structural or gum health issues are addressed, it’s common to give your smile a finishing touch with cosmetic dentistry. This can include teeth whitening, bonding, porcelain veneers, and even orthodontic solutions such as Invisalign®.

Teeth whitening only requires a quick single visit, while bonding and porcelain veneers may require additional appointments. Orthodontic procedures usually take several months or years to complete.

Seek the help of an experienced full mouth reconstruction dentist

If you’re considering full mouth reconstruction, it’s important to consult a specialist with deep experience and knowledge in this area.

Oftentimes, issues run deeper than simple, surface-level cosmetic fixes. To ensure the best long-term results, you’ll want to address any necessary structural or gum health issues.

Our periodontists, Dr. Neal Raval, Dr. Stephan Kohnen, and Dr. Eddie Lee, are experts at full mouth reconstruction, especially when it comes to issues of the underlying bone and tissue that surround your teeth.

The only way to know how long full mouth reconstruction will take is to come in for a consultation.

At that time, our periodontists will examine your mouth and discuss your smile goals with you. From there, a custom treatment plan will be created, with a more accurate estimate of how long the process will take.

Implant and Periodontic Specialists proudly serves Bellevue and Issaquah, WA, as well as the Greater Seattle Area.

Contact us today to make an appointment at one of our two convenient locations: