What Is the Difference Between a Full Mouth Reconstruction and a Smile Makeover?

April 11, 2019/Bruce Sexton/
Full Mouth Reconstruction and a Smile Makeover?

A Makeover for More Than Your Mouth

Just as your teeth and mouth directly impact your physical, mental, and social well-being, the right dental work can directly and positively impact multiple areas of your life.

If you’ve been wondering how you can dramatically improve your smile’s health, function, or appearance, a customized full mouth reconstruction or smile makeover may be the exact solution you’ve been seeking. Though these two treatment plans offer many similar benefits, a full mouth reconstruction and smile makeover each has its own unique patient-centered purpose.        

Full Mouth Reconstruction

Lost oral health or function can make the basic activities of daily living like chewing and speaking more difficult, uncomfortable, and embarrassing. By simultaneously rebuilding or replacing all of the upper and lower teeth, a full mouth reconstruction primarily aims to restore lost oral health and function while creating beautiful, natural-looking results. Also known as a full mouth rehabilitation or restoration, a full mouth reconstruction is a highly customized treatment plan that combines the best practices of restorative and cosmetic dentistry to elevate all aspects of your mouth and teeth.

The need for a full mouth restoration may result from numerous factors, including:

  • Multiple missing teeth from decay, trauma, or periodontal (gum) disease
  • Multiple teeth with failed fillings or advanced decay
  • Multiple teeth that are fractured, injured, or badly worn due to bruxism (teeth grinding) or acid erosion (from foods, beverages, or acid reflux)
  • An inherited disorder, such as Ectodermal Dysplasia, Amelogenesis Imperfecta, and Dentinogenesis Imperfecta
  • Oral cancer treatment  

Full Mouth Reconstruction Treatments

Every full mouth reconstruction is customized to meet a patient’s individual needs and can include any combination of the following to achieve the best health, function, and aesthetics of the whole mouth and multiple teeth:

Smile Makeover

Beyond the vital functions of chewing and speaking, our smiles directly influence our overall sense of well-being. A healthy, attractive smile can improve our self-confidence and positively impact our career, relationships, and daily interactions. Our smiles also contribute to first impressions, help us to build trust, and increase a sense of calm and happiness in yourself and others.

Feeling dissatisfied with the appearance of our smile can zap our self-confidence and hold us back from fully expressing ourselves personally and professionally. By correcting each individual patient’s aesthetic concerns, a smile makeover primarily aims to improve the smile’s overall appearance while supporting overall oral health and function.

Stained, ugly, misaligned, chipped or uneven teeth—a smile makeover will simultaneously erase these issues and more. Perhaps you have a “gummy” smile, or maybe you have crowns, fillings or veneers from many years ago that might as well have their own flashing neon signs every time you smile. Whatever the cosmetic issue, Dr. Sexton can make your smile beautiful again.

Smile Makeover Treatments

A smile makeover is tailored to meet each patient’s personal goals and vision and can include any combination of the following to support long-term oral health and to achieve the best results:

Full Mouth Reconstruction vs. Smile Makeover

So how does a full mouth reconstruction really differ from a smile makeover? While many of the same techniques are used for both treatments, the reason for each treatment is unique. While a full mouth reconstruction is a necessary treatment that prioritizes restoring lost oral health and function, a smile makeover is an elective treatment to improve your smile’s overall appearance. Though a full mouth reconstruction is primarily focused on health and function, smile aesthetics are still given meaningful attention. Likewise, though a smile makeover is primarily the focus with smile aesthetics, oral health and function are still considered essential treatment outcomes.   

Whether you’re seeking a whole-mouth reconstruction or a smile makeover, receiving the treatment you need, want, or both, can positively influence multiples layers of your long-term health, sense of well-being, and quality of living. We’re honored to help you understand your options to improve your smile’s health, function, and appearance. To learn more or to schedule a consultation, contact our office today.

 

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