Extensive tooth damage, missing teeth, or advanced dental disease can affect your ability to chew, speak, and smile comfortably. Full-mouth rehabilitation combines restorative and surgical treatments to restore oral health, function, and appearance. At Legacy Surgery, we work closely with your general dentist to provide the surgical procedures needed to support your overall treatment plan.
Serving the Shenandoah Valley at Two Locations
Schedule an appointment at our Harrisonburg or Staunton oral surgery office.
Who Can Benefit From Full-Mouth Rehabilitation?
Full-mouth rehabilitation, also called full-mouth reconstruction, may be recommended when several dental problems need to be addressed together. Rather than treating each concern separately, a comprehensive treatment plan considers the condition of your teeth, gums, jawbone, and bite.
You may benefit from full-mouth rehabilitation if you have:
- Multiple missing teeth: Tooth loss can affect chewing, speech, and the position of your remaining teeth.
- Extensive tooth decay: Several teeth may be damaged beyond what individual fillings or crowns can repair.
- Advanced periodontal disease: Gum disease can damage the tissues and bone supporting your teeth, sometimes leading to tooth loss.
- Severely worn or broken teeth: Significant damage can affect your bite, chewing ability, and the appearance of your smile.
- Bite alignment problems: Changes in tooth position or jaw alignment may interfere with comfortable chewing.
- Uncomfortable or unstable dentures: Implant-supported restorations may provide greater stability and function than traditional removable dentures.
Treatment Options for Full-Mouth Rehabilitation
Full-mouth rehabilitation often involves a combination of procedures performed by your general dentist and an oral surgeon. The treatments recommended depend on which teeth can be preserved, the condition of your jawbone, and the type of restorations needed.
Dental Implants
Dental implants replace missing tooth roots and provide a stable foundation for crowns, bridges, or implant-supported dentures.
Implants restore chewing function without requiring support from adjacent natural teeth. They also stimulate the surrounding jawbone, helping reduce the bone loss that normally follows tooth loss.
Depending on your needs, dental implants may replace individual missing teeth, support an implant bridge, or secure a full arch of replacement teeth.
Full-Arch Dental Implants
For patients who have lost most or all their teeth in one or both jaws, full-arch dental implants may provide an alternative to traditional dentures.
Several strategically placed implants support a complete arch of replacement teeth, improving stability and chewing function. Fixed restorations remain securely attached to the implants, while removable implant-supported options are also available.
Bone Grafting
When teeth are lost, the jawbone gradually begins to shrink because it no longer receives stimulation from the tooth roots. Advanced periodontal disease can also cause significant bone loss.
Bone grafting helps rebuild lost jawbone by placing grafting material in areas where additional bone is needed. As the area heals, new bone develops around the graft material, creating a stronger foundation for dental implants.
Tooth Extractions
Severely damaged, infected, or unstable teeth cannot always be preserved. When extraction is necessary, we consider how removing the tooth will affect the surrounding bone and future restorative treatment.
In some cases, a dental implant can be placed immediately after extraction. Other patients may require bone grafting or a healing period before implant placement.
Restorative and Orthodontic Treatments
Your general dentist or orthodontist may recommend additional procedures to restore the health, appearance, and alignment of your remaining teeth.
These may include:
- Dental crowns, bridges, inlays, or onlays
- Periodontal treatment to address gum disease
- Orthodontic treatment to improve tooth alignment
- Veneers or other cosmetic restorations
- Bite adjustments to improve how the upper and lower teeth fit together
We work closely with dentists and orthodontists throughout the Harrisonburg and Staunton areas to coordinate surgical and restorative treatment. This collaborative approach helps make sure procedures such as dental implant placement support your overall rehabilitation plan and the final restorations.
Specialized Surgical Care for Full-Mouth Rehabilitation
At Legacy Surgery, we provide specialized surgical care to support complex full-mouth rehabilitation, with treatment tailored to your oral health and restorative needs.
- Board-Certified Oral Surgeon: Dr. Jeffery Kesecker has advanced training in oral and maxillofacial surgery and extensive experience placing dental implants, including complex cases involving significant tooth loss.
- Advanced Surgical Technology: We use 3D imaging, digital scanning, and virtual surgical planning to evaluate your anatomy and plan implant placement with precision.
- Anesthesia Options: We provide in-office anesthesia, including general anesthesia when appropriate. Dr. Kesecker has specialized training in administering sedation, and a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) assists with more complex cases.
- Individualized Treatment: We consider your existing oral health, bone structure, and restorative needs when developing your surgical treatment plan.
Restore Comfort and Confidence in Your Smile
Full-mouth rehabilitation can help restore comfortable chewing, improve oral function, and rebuild a smile affected by extensive dental problems. At Legacy Surgery, we provide individualized surgical care to support healthy, stable, and long-lasting dental restorations.
Schedule a consultation to discuss your full-mouth rehabilitation needs and learn which surgical treatments may be appropriate for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep some of my natural teeth during full-mouth rehabilitation?
Yes. Full-mouth rehabilitation does not necessarily involve replacing every tooth. Healthy teeth, or teeth that can be successfully restored, may be preserved as part of your treatment plan. The goal is to retain natural teeth whenever appropriate while addressing those that are severely damaged or cannot be saved.
Will I have to go without teeth during full-mouth rehabilitation?
Not necessarily. Depending on your treatment plan, temporary dentures or other provisional restorations may be available while your mouth heals. Your dentist and oral surgeon will coordinate treatment to determine whether temporary teeth are appropriate and when they can be placed.
Does dental insurance cover full-mouth rehabilitation?
Dental insurance may cover some of the procedures involved in full-mouth rehabilitation, but coverage depends on your plan and the treatments required. Because rehabilitation often involves both surgical and restorative care, coverage may differ for each phase of treatment.
Is there an age limit for full-mouth rehabilitation?
There is no specific upper age limit for full-mouth rehabilitation. Your overall health, oral condition, jawbone quality, and treatment goals are generally more important than age. Dr. Kesecker will evaluate your medical history and surgical needs to determine which procedures are appropriate.
Is full-mouth rehabilitation the same as a smile makeover?
No. A smile makeover primarily focuses on improving the appearance of your teeth through cosmetic dentistry. Full-mouth rehabilitation addresses more extensive dental problems that affect oral health, chewing function, and bite stability. While improving the appearance of your smile may be part of treatment, the primary goal is to restore healthy, comfortable function.