A reconstructive dentist performs dental procedures aimed at repairing damaged teeth, replacing missing teeth, correcting jaw issues and bite misalignment, fixing damages to the jawbone and gums, restoring defective dental restorations, and sometimes, treating oral diseases. When a patient is suffering from multiple oral health issues and needs full mouth reconstruction, they may need to see a reconstructive dentist.
Treatments provided by a reconstructive dentist
A reconstructive dentist can provide a combination of any of the following:
- Restorative dental procedures, including bridges, dental crowns, fillings, inlays and onlays
- Insertion of dental implants to replace lost teeth
- Cosmetic dentistry, which includes teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, dental bonding and gum reshaping
- Resolution of issues affecting the temporomandibular joints
- Orthodontics, which includes any treatment to straighten the teeth and align bites, such as Invisalign®, braces, expanders, spacers and retainers
- Solutions to teeth grinding and clenching
- Oral surgery, including tooth extractions, root canal therapy and soft and hard tissues grafting
- Gum disease treatment, including scaling, root planing and gum surgery
When to see a reconstructive dentist?
An ideal candidate will be someone with multiple oral health issues affecting most or all the teeth and the surrounding tissues. Patients who need extensive oral surgeries need to be in good health to get local or general anesthesia. The following are conditions that can be treated by a reconstructive dentist.
Trauma
Patients who experience a traumatic accident often need to repair a chipped or cracked tooth or replace a lost tooth. A reconstructive dentist can repair the oral cavity to restore the look and function of the patient’s teeth. Patients need to visit the dentist immediately after experiencing an accident or blow to the face that causes damage to their teeth.
The dentist can provide solutions such as dental implants, which function like natural teeth and can withstand the force of chewing and biting. After a full mouth reconstruction, the patient will have a fully functional smile that can last a lifetime with proper oral hygiene practices.
Infection
Sometimes, a patient may lose most of their teeth to decay, gum disease or severe infection. A reconstructive dentist will attempt to stop the infection from spreading. If a patient fails to get prompt treatment, minor infections may worsen to the point where an emergency extraction may be required.
If a patient’s tooth is infected, the dentist may recommend a root canal procedure to get rid of the infection. If the infection is too severe, the tooth will be removed and restored with a dental implant or bridge.
Final note
Some patients are reluctant about going to the reconstructive dentist for a full mouth reconstruction due to the cost and the invasive nature of the treatment. However, the longer it takes before getting treatment, the worse the pain and risk will be. For instance, if a tooth is not restored promptly, the jaw may deteriorate to the point where inserting a dental implant may be impossible.
Multiple appointments are necessary to restore the full function of the teeth. If you have multiple issues with your oral cavity, consider booking an appointment with a reconstructive dentist for a consultation.
Request an appointment here: https://pier210dental.com or call Pier 210 Dental Group at (530) 885-5696 for an appointment in our Auburn office.
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