Full-Mouth Reconstruction in Wilkes-Barre, PA

Losing your teeth can wreak havoc on your quality of life and sense of well-being, changing your daily habits and self-perception. Tooth loss affects many Americans, and recent data shows that seniors 65 years or older average about 20 remaining teeth. When many of your teeth are missing or damaged, we might recommend full-mouth reconstruction, also known as full-mouth rehabilitation. This procedure aims to improve the function and look of your teeth by restoring an entire arch of teeth at once.

You may benefit from full-mouth reconstruction if:

  • You have lost all or most of your teeth due to aging.
  • You were involved in an accident that led to serious dental trauma. Dental trauma often causes varying degrees of damage to different teeth and requires a complex solution.
  • You have advanced gum disease.
  • You grind your teeth, causing significant damage.
  • Your oral hygiene or eating and drinking habits have led to severe decay.

In these cases and others, we may need to extract, restore, or replace an entire row of teeth.

Your Customized Treatment Plan

Because full-mouth reconstruction is a solution to a complicated problem, it can include a variety of procedures, such as oral surgery, dental restorations, and cosmetic procedures. At your free consultation, we will discuss your customized treatment plan based on your unique needs, goals, and budget.

Read on to learn more about some of the procedures we may use or combine to achieve the full function of your mouth.

Mini Dental Implants

At Mint Mini Dental Implants, we offer mini dental implants to provide a permanent solution to your missing teeth. The mini implant is a metal post that is screwed into your jawbone to support a prosthetic. These are long-lasting fixtures that cannot be removed. While similar to traditional implants, mini implants are often a better solution for many patients: they are significantly smaller than the traditional alternative, making them a good choice if you have less jawbone volume and density. Due to their streamlined design, mini implants are more cost effective than traditional options, and the procedure to place mini implants is quicker and less invasive. While mini implants can replace a single missing tooth, we also use them in full-mouth reconstruction as they can anchor other treatment options, such as fixed bridges and implant-retained dentures.

Fixed Dental Bridges

Fixed dental bridges secure upper or lower arches with mini dental implants. The crowns of the bridge connect to healthy teeth surrounding a gap caused by missing teeth. Implant-supported bridges cannot be removed, meaning they never slip or come loose. Fixed bridges provide a permanent and comfortable solution to missing teeth.

Crowns

A crown, or cap, is placed over a tooth that has a healthy root but significant damage to the structure above the gumline. Crowns protect and prolong the life of your natural teeth, improving the function of your bite and the appearance of your smile.

Dentures

Traditional dentures replace an entire upper or lower arch of teeth and can be removed. However, like a fixed bridge, dentures can also be supported by mini dental implants. Implant dentures, which can be placed in a single procedure, eliminate the slipping associated with traditional dentures because they snap onto the mini implants securely. With mini dental implants, your dentures will be stable, durable, and permanently fixed.

Veneers

Veneers offer a cosmetic solution to conceal imperfections on your visible teeth, such as stains, chips, cracks, or gaps. These thin shells fit over the front of your teeth to enhance the appearance of your smile, but they are not the best solution if you have significant damage to many teeth.

The Importance of Full-Mouth Reconstruction

Missing teeth can negatively affect your well-being and compromise your oral health. Without functional teeth and a balanced bite, you can experience the following:

  • Shifting teeth, which can cause your teeth to flare out and lead to more severe dental issues
  • Impaired chewing and bite ability
  • Sensitivity
  • Jawbone deterioration
  • Neck and jaw soreness which can cause migraine headaches and temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ)

The Full-Mouth Reconstruction Procedure

The specifics of your procedure will depend on the treatment options best suited to your needs. At your complimentary consultation, we’ll discuss which methods will achieve your dental goals. To do this, we’ll take x-rays to assess the health and size of your jaw in order to determine if you are a good candidate for mini dental implants. We’ll also ask for your full medical history and any medications, vitamins, or supplements you take. At this time, we can talk about your budget and go over our many payment options. With this information, we’ll customize a treatment plan that will fully restore your mouth’s function and help you regain confidence in your smile.

Preparation

To prepare for your full-mouth reconstruction, you’ll need to arrange for someone to drive you home, as we use anesthesia to ensure that you are comfortable and feel no pain throughout the procedure. We might also ask you to stop taking medications and supplements that thin the blood.

The length and details of your reconstruction will depend on the severity of your case and your individual treatment needs. Generally, a full-mouth reconstruction can take up to six hours.

Recovery

Recovery time will depend on your personalized treatment plan, and while responses to treatments vary, you will need time to rest after full-mouth reconstruction. If your procedure involves mini dental implants, you can expect a shorter recovery time because, unlike traditional implants, mini implants do not require bone grafting. We may prescribe an antibiotic to help your implants heal properly.

As you heal, avoid strenuous physical activity and steer clear from hard or chewy foods as well as hot and cold drinks. You can use ice or over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen to ease discomfort as you recover.

Maintenance

You can extend the life of your dental appliances and prosthetics with proper care and routine checkups. We’ll give you specific guidelines for oral hygiene practices after your procedure and schedule a follow-up to ensure that the fit of your appliances and the appearance of your smile is exactly what you envisioned.

Flexible Financing for Your Full-Mouth Reconstruction

Full-mouth reconstruction may seem out of reach because of the perceived costs, but at Mint Mini Dental Implants, we aim to get you the dental care you need in a way that fits your budget. We partner with three dental financing organizations—Ally, Lending Club, and Care Credit—to offer flexible financing options. With 0% introductory rates and affordable monthly payments, you can achieve a fully-functioning mouth and a healthy, pain-free smile.

Unveil a New Smile with Full-Mouth Reconstruction

With a complicated procedure like full-mouth reconstruction, it’s crucial that your dentist is devoted to excellence. Dr. Coolican is a fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and a founding member and Diplomat of the International Academy of Mini Dental Implants. Since 2004, Dr. Coolican has placed thousands of mini dental implants and transformed countless patients’ lives. With decades of experience serving residents of Northeastern Pennsylvania, you can trust Dr. Coolican to perform your full-mouth reconstruction. Don’t wait to regain the function of your teeth, improve your oral health, and restore beauty to your smile. Contact Mint Mini Dental Implants today to schedule your free full-mouth reconstruction consultation.