What To Know
What to know aboutFull Mouth Rehabilitation
When most of the teeth are affected, by heavy wear, several broken or missing teeth, old restorations that are failing, or a bite that no longer fits together comfortably, treating one tooth at a time often leads to repeated repairs. A full mouth rehabilitation steps back and plans the whole mouth at once, so that each treatment supports the next. At Veda Dental Studio, it begins with understanding why the damage happened.
Causes vary. Grinding and clenching can wear teeth down over years. Acid from reflux or diet can soften enamel. Gum disease can loosen teeth, and missing teeth allow others to drift and tip. Unless the cause is addressed, new restorations face the same forces as the old ones.
A reconstruction usually combines several familiar treatments: periodontal care to stabilize the gums, fillings or root canal treatment where needed, crowns, onlays or veneers to rebuild worn or broken teeth, and bridges, implants or dentures to replace missing ones. Where the bite has collapsed, the height and alignment of the teeth may be restored so the jaws meet in a stable position. Orthodontic treatment is sometimes included to place teeth where they can best be restored.
Because so much is involved, treatment is carried out in phases, often over several months. Health comes first, gums, infection and decay, followed by function and then appearance. Temporary restorations are frequently used to test a new bite and shape before the final work is made, giving you the chance to see and feel the plan before it is completed.
Questions
Frequently askedquestions
Answers to the questions patients ask us most, so you feel prepared before your visit.
What is a full mouth rehabilitation?
It is a coordinated plan to rebuild or replace most or all of the teeth when problems affect much of the mouth. Rather than treating teeth one by one, the dentist plans the teeth, gums and bite together and completes the work in phases. It typically combines treatments such as gum care, crowns, onlays, bridges, implants or dentures.
Who might need a full mouth rehabilitation?
It may be considered for people with many worn, broken or missing teeth, extensive decay, several failing restorations, damage from grinding or acid erosion, or a bite that feels uncomfortable or has collapsed. Gum disease that has affected many teeth may also be part of the picture. An evaluation shows whether a full plan or more limited treatment is the better fit.
How is it different from a smile makeover?
A smile makeover focuses mainly on appearance, often with whitening, bonding or veneers. Full mouth rehabilitation focuses first on health and function, rebuilding teeth and the bite, with appearance improved along the way. Full-mouth reconstruction is a closely related term, and many dentists use the two interchangeably for a whole-mouth restorative plan.
How long does treatment take?
It depends on what is needed. Plans involving crowns and bite changes may take a few months, while those involving gum treatment, extractions, bone grafting or implants that need healing time can take a year or longer. Treatment is phased, and you receive a timeline after your evaluation so you know what each stage involves.
Will I have teeth throughout treatment?
In most cases, yes. Temporary crowns, bridges or dentures are used between phases so you can eat, speak and smile while final restorations are being made or while implants heal. Temporaries also let us test the shape and bite of your new teeth, and adjust them, before the permanent work is completed.
Does the treatment hurt?
Each procedure is done under local anesthetic, so you should feel pressure rather than pain. Sedation is available for longer appointments or if you feel anxious. Some soreness or sensitivity is common for a few days after certain steps, such as preparing teeth or placing implants, and is usually managed with over-the-counter pain relief and the aftercare instructions we provide.
Why does the cause of the damage matter?
Grinding, clenching, acid reflux, diet and gum disease can all damage teeth, and new restorations face the same forces as the old ones. Identifying and managing the cause, for example with a night guard for grinding or medical care for reflux, helps the reconstruction last. It is a key part of planning, not an afterthought.
Can I see what my teeth will look like first?
Often, yes. Photographs, digital planning and models can be used to create a mock-up of the proposed shape of your teeth. Temporary restorations then let you live with the new look and bite for a while. Your feedback shapes the final work, so changes can be made before anything permanent is placed.
How do I care for my teeth afterward?
Brush twice a day, clean between your teeth and around any implants or bridges daily, and keep up regular checkups and cleanings so small issues are caught early. If you grind or clench, wearing a night guard protects your restorations. Avoid using your teeth to open packages or bite very hard objects, and let us know promptly if anything feels different.
Serving Savannah, Pooler
and Port Wentworth
Our studio is at 492 Jimmy DeLoach Pkwy, Suite 104, Savannah, GA 31407, in The Highlands, just off I-95. It is an easy drive from downtown Savannah, Pooler and Port Wentworth, with parking right outside.
New Patients Welcome