Tucson Full-Mouth Reconstruction
Full-mouth reconstruction is complex dentistry beyond what is taught in dental school to general dentists. It requires specialized knowledge of the relationship between the teeth, the gum tissue, and the muscles and joints of the jaw. As a prosthodontist, Dr. Steinberg has advanced training in full-mouth reconstruction. After finishing his DMD, Dr. Steinberg graduated from a three-year prosthodontics program and a one-year fellowship in maxillofacial prosthetics. He is a member of the American College of Prosthodontics and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
Who Needs a Full-Mouth Reconstruction?
Patients who need a full-mouth reconstruction may have:
- Malocclusion—the teeth don’t fit together well, causing pain and dental damage
- Worn teeth—sometimes teeth become so worn down with age that it changes the shape of your face, leading to a collapsed look
- Extensive restorative needs—teeth that are broken down or decayed make it difficult to eat and can be embarrassing in appearance
Before beginning a full-mouth reconstruction, Dr. Steinberg will review your medical and dental history. He will examine your teeth and gums. If you have periodontal disease, he will treat that before restoring your teeth. Patients who need full-mouth reconstruction sometimes have an injury to their mouth or suffer from oral disease or a genetic disorder. Dr. Steinberg will consider your whole health when creating a treatment plan.
Full-Mouth Reconstruction Techniques
Dr. Steinberg can reconstruct your smile using various techniques depending on your needs. If your teeth are worn down, a series of crowns will restore your appearance, your ability to chew, and the vertical dimension of your teeth. A crown
looks exactly like a tooth, and it’s made of strong and beautiful ceramic.
If you’re missing teeth, Dr. Steinberg can replace them with one or more dental implants. An implant consists of a root form placed in your jaw and a crown over it. If you are missing multiple teeth, you don’t necessarily need a separate implant for each tooth. Another option for a missing tooth is a dental bridge. A bridge is made up of a false tooth suspended between two crowns, as shown in the drawing on the right.
If your teeth are misaligned, Dr. Steinberg can design a new smile with a perfectly balanced bite, usually by placing crowns on multiple teeth. Dental misalignment can cause sensitivity, tooth wear, and TMJ pain.
If you have no teeth, the best way to replace all your teeth is using dental implants. There are multiple ways to accomplish that. A snap-on denture can be anchored with only two implants. Using more implants will give a more stable result. For more information about the options, visit our implant-supported dentures page.
Click here to watch a video and read about Brenda, who received a full-mouth reconstruction from Dr. Steinberg.
If you’d like to learn more about full-mouth reconstruction and find out if it is right for you, please call our office at (520)-886-3030 or fill out this form, and we will call you to make an appointment. We will start with a complimentary consultation so you can meet Dr. Steinberg and discuss your dental needs.
