Full Mouth Reconstruction – Astoria, NY
Rebuild a Healthy, Functional Smile
Has the health, function, and appearance of your smile been significantly compromised by decay, infection, or injury? Besides low self-esteem, the issues also impact your quality of life. Did you know you can rebuild your smile with full mouth reconstruction in Astoria? This involves specific procedures catering to your individual needs to improve the aesthetics and function of your teeth. Dr. Eduart Shkurti and his dedicated team provide the high-quality services you need to invest in your oral health.
What is Full Mouth Reconstruction?
Full mouth reconstruction uses a combination of restorative procedures to improve the health, function, and appearance of your teeth. The process involves rebuilding or restoring most or all the teeth in the upper and lower jaws. The treatments that are used cater to your specific oral health problems, such as tooth loss or cavities.
Who is a Candidate for Full Mouth Reconstruction?
Your dentist in Astoria performs a comprehensive consultation to assess your oral health needs. Full mouth reconstruction is often recommended for those who have multiple missing teeth, large areas of decay, cracked or broken teeth, or badly worn teeth. It can also help those who have certain conditions, like ectodermal dysplasia.
The process to rebuild your smile can take several months because it will consist of various steps. Each treatment or procedure is conducted at a specific time during your transformation process to ensure the final results.
What Treatments Do I Need?
Based on your individual assessment, Dr. Shkurti determines which treatments are necessary to save your smile. You may need one or multiple procedures, such as:
- Dental Crowns: Placing the protective cap over a tooth restores its health, function, and appearance. They can be used to treat severely decayed, broken, or worn teeth. It is common for crowns to be used with other procedures, like a root canal or bridge.
- Dental Bridge: One to three consecutive missing teeth can be replaced with a bridge. Prosthetic teeth are crafted to fill the empty space. It is held in place by attaching dental crowns to the adjacent teeth.
- Tooth-Colored Fillings: Tooth decay is treated using a composite resin material that is customized to match the color of your enamel for natural-looking results.
- Root Canal Therapy: An infected tooth at risk of extraction can be saved by removing the inner layer of the tooth, called the pulp. The tooth is sterilized and sealed before placing a dental crown over it.
- Tooth Extractions: Severely compromised teeth may need to be removed.
- Partial & Full Dentures: Missing teeth can be replaced with a full or partial denture. New advancements in dentistry now allow them to look and feel more natural than before.
How Much Does It Cost?
The amount you pay is based on your individual treatment plan and which procedures are needed. We help you maximize your dental benefits to reduce the amount you need to pay out-of-pocket. To cover any remaining balance, we accept a variety of payment options, including CareCredit.
If you are ready to rebuild a beautiful smile, contact our office today to schedule your consultation.
Full Mouth Reconstruction FAQs
How Long Does a Full Mouth Reconstruction Procedure Take?
Since full mouth reconstruction treatment times can vary depending on your unique needs, we highly recommend that you’re open and honest with Dr. Shkurti about your schedule. If he’s aware of any big events or plans you have coming up, we can better plan your treatment schedule. Of course, Dr. Shkurti will communicate with you as well. During your consultation, he’ll be sure to go over the details of each step and how long they’ll take.
What Are the Full Mouth Reconstruction Steps?
Full mouth reconstruction consultations are a crucial part of the process. During this appointment, we’ll assess your oral health and work with you to pinpoint your needs and smile goals. This is how we determine which treatment options should be included in your plan, so don’t hesitate to speak up or raise any questions!
Once you and Dr. Shkurti work out the details of your plan and confirm your preferred payment method, all that’s left to do is start your full mouth reconstruction. Note that we will likely schedule any restorative procedures first to help ensure your comfort and a successful treatment.
How Long Will My Full Mouth Reconstruction Results Last?
You can rest assured that our treatments are designed to last. Dentures, crowns, porcelain veneers and other dental solutions will improve your quality of life for years to come – as long as you take care of them properly! Here’s a general overview of what you can do to promote their longevity:
- Brush your teeth and tongue twice daily
- Floss once per day
- Rinse your mouth with warm water after snacks
- Double-check your hygiene products with Dr. Shkurti
- Avoid tough foods like hard candy and chewy caramels
- Avoid beverages with staining tendencies like coffee or wine
- Follow your aftercare instructions
- Visit our office every six months for a checkup and cleaning
Will People Be Able to Tell That I Had a Full Mouth Reconstruction?
Thanks to technological advances over the years, modern dental treatments look and feel almost exactly like real teeth. Dental implants, for example, mimic the way teeth are rooted to your jawbone for maximum stability and chewing power. Restorative crowns, fillings, and bridges can be made from tooth-colored materials rather than bright metal. Even orthodontic treatments can be discrete with Invisalign clear aligners! Your peers might notice that your new smile looks fantastic, but they won’t be able to tell the difference between real teeth and restored pearly whites.
Does Getting Full Mouth Reconstruction Hurt?
Dr. Shkurti and our team want patients to be as comfortable as possible. To that end, we always administer local anesthesia when performing any procedure that might otherwise cause pain.
After any anesthesia wears off, some soreness may occur, especially after invasive treatments and surgeries. We will provide post-op instructions to help you minimize discomfort. For example, you might need to eat a modified diet or take pain medications.
Most patients are back to feeling normal within a few days to a few weeks after an oral procedure.
Can I Get Full Mouth Reconstruction if I Smoke?
Candidacy for full mouth reconstruction is determined on a case-by-case basis. Whether or not you smoke is just one factor that we consider.
Smoking can slow down your body’s healing process, increase the risk of post-op infections, and greatly heighten the chances of dental implant failure. That is why we always advise patients to kick the habit. However, we recognize that doing so is extremely challenging. With support from your primary care physician and your family, you can succeed!
It is also worth noting that smoking is not an absolute contraindication for full mouth reconstruction. We want everyone to enjoy sound oral health, and we will do all we can to help you achieve that goal.
Why Is My Dentist Recommending Full Mouth Reconstruction?
We only recommend any service when the potential benefits far outweigh any inconvenience or discomfort that might be caused by it. Some reasons why we may suggest full mouth reconstruction include:
- You are missing teeth.
- Your natural teeth are in poor condition.
- The state of your oral health is adversely affecting your quality of life and your overall health.
If you are curious about our reasons for recommending any specific treatment, feel free to ask. We want you to be well-informed about the road ahead.
I Have Had Full Mouth Reconstruction — Is There Anything I Cannot Eat?
In the days following any oral procedure, you might need to make some dietary modifications. For example, after getting dental implants, you should eat a no-chew diet for a while. This can include things like yogurt, meal replacement shakes, and applesauce. Then, you can progress to a fork-tender diet.
After you fully recover from your full mouth reconstruction, you should be able to enjoy virtually any food. Dental restorations are very durable, so they can stand up to all the rigors of everyday eating. Feel free to dig into all of your favorite snacks and meals!
However, a word of caution is in order. Just like some foods are better for natural teeth than others, the same thing is true of restorations. Try to minimize your intake of sugary, acidic, and extremely tough foods.