A treatment room with an intraoral scanner at Town Center Dental

Full Mouth Rehabilitation

Full mouth rehabilitation rebuilds the health, function and look of the teeth in both jaws. It often happens in planned stages over several months. It starts with an exam and a treatment plan. Your dentist explains each step, the order of care, and how your insurance may apply.

Request an appointment Call (636) 273-5866

Planned in stages

Gum health and bite usually come first. Crowns, bridges or implants may follow. Your dentist sets the order for your mouth.

More than looks

The plan covers how your teeth meet, how your jaw joints work, and the health of your gums, not only how each tooth looks.

Two names, one idea

Full mouth rehabilitation, reconstruction and restoration are terms for the same kind of comprehensive care.

Your estimate is personal

Town Center Dental gives each patient a personal estimate. Ask about phasing and what your plan may cover.

What Is Full Mouth Restoration?

A full mouth restoration is a process of rebuilding or simultaneously restoring all of the teeth, in both the upper and lower jaws. This can involve numerous procedures and span several months or more. You may need a full mouth reconstruction if:

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You have teeth that are chipped, fractured, or injured

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You have teeth that are severely worn from teeth grinding or long-term acid erosion

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You have missing teeth due to trauma or decay

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You have persistent jaw, muscle, or headache pain due to a malocclusion (improper bite)

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You have severely stained teeth

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You have irregularly shaped teeth

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You have significant gum recession due to periodontal disease

Our goal is to replace all problematic teeth, old fillings, old dental crowns, and old veneers while improving your bite position. The new dental work is designed to create a beautiful, functional smile that benefits your oral and overall health.

Full Mouth Restoration Process

If you are interested in full mouth restoration, the first step is scheduling a consultation appointment. During your consultation, Dr. Jon Copeland or Dr. Stephanie Copeland will examine your mouth to determine the extent of the issue, and which treatment options may be applicable. The examination process may involve x-rays, photographs, 3D digital scans, impressions, and a comprehensive review of your medical records. In particular, our doctors will pay close attention to:

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Your teeth. The state of your teeth will determine what restorative procedures are necessary. This includes porcelain veneers, crowns, bridges, inlays or onlays, and dental implants. During your exam, we will make a note of cavities, wear, crown length, jaw mobility, cracks, and previous root canals.

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Your gum tissue. Gum (periodontal) disease is the result of an untreated infection that forms around the roots of your teeth. If you suffer from periodontal disease, you may need to undergo a scaling and root planing procedure. Depending on the severity of the disease, you may also need more intensive treatments to ensure your new teeth will have a sturdy foundation.

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Your temporomandibular joints. These joints allow your jaw to function as a sliding hinge, and are largely responsible for your ability to chew, speak, and smile. They also dictate your bite alignment. We will need to correct malocclusion before you receive additional restorative procedures.

Possible Procedures

Once we have the necessary information, we can develop a comprehensive treatment plan to complete your restoration. Possible procedures include:

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Dental Crowns. Crowns are tooth-shaped caps that fit over your natural teeth to provide additional support and improve aesthetics.

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Tooth Extractions. Extensive decay or structural damage to a tooth may be cause for extraction during a full mouth restoration.

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Fixed Bridges. A bridge is used to replace one or more missing teeth. A poetic, or false tooth, is suspended between two dental crowns to fill the space. These crowns can be supported by adjacent teeth or dental implants.

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Root Canal Therapy. When the infection spreads to a dental pulp within the tooth, a root canal may be necessary to save the tooth.

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Full Dentures. If you are missing all or most of your teeth, you may need to receive a full denture. New technologies and materials have greatly improved the aesthetics and functional capabilities of dentures.

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Teeth Whitening. Professional whitening solution can be used to combat unsightly stains and improve aesthetics.

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Periodontal Treatment. Your gums are an important part of your oral health. Before you can receive a new dental appliance, you may need to undergo periodontal treatment.

Schedule a Consultation Appointment

If you are interested in learning more about full mouth restoration, call 636-273-5866, and schedule your consultation today!

A typical order of care in a rebuild plan

Stage	What happens
1. Exam and records	Your dentist reviews your history and takes x-rays, photos and scans.
2. Treat disease first	Gum disease, decay and infection are treated so new work has a healthy base.
3. Plan the bite	The team studies how your teeth meet and how your jaw joints move.
4. Rebuild in steps	Crowns, bridges, implants or dentures are made and placed in a set order.
5. Keep it healthy	Cleanings, checkups and a night guard if you grind protect the work.

How long does full mouth rehabilitation take?

It depends on how much work your mouth needs. The treatment spans several months in many cases, and some plans take longer. Healing time shapes the schedule. Gum treatment needs time to settle. Teeth that are removed need time to heal. An implant needs months for the bone to grow around it, a process called osseointegration.

Your dentist can split the plan into phases. That helps you spread out the work and the cost, and it lets you see how each phase turns out before the next begins. The order matters. Disease comes first, then the bite, then the final teeth.

Ask for the plan in writing. It should list each phase, the visits for each, and what you can expect between visits. A written treatment plan also helps when you talk with your insurer.

How is it different from a smile makeover?

A smile makeover focuses on how your smile looks. It may use whitening, bonding, veneers or aligners. Teeth and gums are often healthy before it starts.

Full mouth rehabilitation starts from health and function. It is for people whose teeth are worn, broken, missing or painful, or whose bite does not work well. A case report in the National Library of Medicine's PMC archive describes it as restoring function, appearance and health of all teeth in the upper and lower jaws. It looks at bite, tooth wear, tooth loss and gum health together.

The two can overlap. A rebuild can improve how your smile looks, and a makeover can include crowns or bridges. Your dentist helps you sort out which goal comes first. See the restorative dentistry page for the building blocks, or read the full mouth reconstruction guide.

What should I ask at the consultation?

Come with questions. Your dentist wants you to understand the plan before you agree to it.

What is wrong with my teeth, gums and bite, in plain words?
Which problems need care first?
How many phases does the plan have, and how many visits in each?
What are my options for each tooth, and why did you pick this one?
How will the plan protect the work from grinding or clenching?
What is my estimate, and what may my insurance cover?
Can we start with the most urgent phase and decide on the rest later?

Write the answers down. If a point is unclear, ask again. You can call the office or request an appointment to book the consultation. The insurance and financing page lists what to bring.

Questions about full mouth rehabilitation

Read the guideFull Mouth Reconstruction: Who Needs It, How It Is Planned, and What the Phases Are

Is full mouth rehabilitation the same as full mouth reconstruction?

People use the terms for the same idea. A case report in the National Library of Medicine's PMC archive describes full-mouth rehabilitation, also called reconstruction or restoration, as comprehensive restoring of function, appearance and health of all teeth in both jaws. Your dentist may use either name for your plan.

Can I see full mouth reconstruction before and after photos?

Photos show one person's mouth, and results differ from person to person. At your consultation, your dentist explains what may be possible for your teeth, the steps involved, and the limits. The office can answer questions about what to expect.

Does insurance cover full mouth rehabilitation?

Plans differ. Many cover parts of the work, such as crowns or gum treatment, and exclude others. Ask your insurer about limits and waiting periods. A written treatment plan lets your insurer review each step, and the office gives each patient a personal estimate.

Why does gum health come before new crowns or bridges?

Gum disease can loosen teeth and wear away the bone that supports them. New work needs a stable base. Your dentist checks your gums first and may treat disease before any rebuilding starts.

Will I need a night guard after my teeth are rebuilt?

Maybe. Grinding and clenching can chip or wear dental work. If you grind, your dentist may recommend a night guard to protect your teeth while you sleep. Ask at your consultation whether grinding is part of your picture.

Do I need to treat all my teeth at once?

Not always. Your dentist can plan care in phases and start with the most urgent need. You can talk through the order of the phases, the time between them, and your budget before anything begins.

Related services

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Ready when you are

Request an appointment Call (636) 273-5866