Full Mouth Reconstruction vs. Smile Makeover: What’s the Difference?
These two terms are often used to describe similar types of dental treatment. Both involve a combination of cosmetic and restorative procedures designed to improve the look and function of your smile.
A full mouth reconstruction usually focuses on correcting structural problems. This may include missing teeth, worn teeth, bite issues, or TMJ-related concerns. The goal is to restore proper function first, then enhance appearance.
A smile makeover typically focuses more on cosmetic concerns. This can include procedures like porcelain veneers, whitening, and bonding. Some people even refer to veneers alone as a smile makeover because of how dramatically they can change a smile.
While the goals may differ slightly, both treatments can create life-changing results. Looking at real before-and-after examples of full mouth reconstruction can help you see how both appearance and function can be restored through comprehensive care.
Have You Been Neglecting Your Smile?
Many people who’ve been neglecting their smile continue to stay away from the dentist because they feel ashamed or guilty. In the past, they’ve been criticized for not taking care of their teeth and they don’t want to face scorn. We want you to know that you’ll get none of that here. We welcome all new (and returning) patients with compassion and understanding. We don’t want to dwell on the past–we want to focus on the future and your bright, beautiful new smile.
Common procedures in a full mouth reconstruction for people who have neglected their smile might include dental crowns to restore decayed teeth, root canals to heal infected teeth, and dental implants to replace lost teeth. We may treat your gum disease ourselves, or, if it is very advanced, we may refer you to a specialist.
Outdated Restorations
Many people seek a full mouth reconstruction because they are unhappy with older restorations. Sometimes the appearance was never ideal, but more often the concern is that the restorations have changed over time and no longer look natural. Older materials—such as dental bonding or porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns—can become dull or uneven. Metal crowns and amalgam fillings can also appear outdated or raise concerns for patients who prefer metal-free dentistry.
When we replace these restorations, we can often use modern cosmetic options like porcelain veneers, crowns, or bridges. In some cases, decay around or beneath old restorations may require additional treatment before new work can be placed. Teeth whitening may also be recommended to help your natural teeth match your updated restorations for a more consistent and attractive result.
Full Mouth Reconstruction for TMJ
In some cases, we will do full mouth reconstruction to help treat your temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). Often, this will begin with trying to address a damaged tooth or restoration, when we realize that your bite is out of balance. Initially, we will start by diagnosing your TMJ and determine the optimal position of your jaw. We’ll design a bite splint that will hold your jaw in that position. If you get good results with the bite splint but want the same results without the splint, we can talk about full mouth reconstruction.
Full mouth reconstruction for TMJ will build up and reshape your teeth so they come together in an optimal fashion, helping your jaw to stay relaxed.
T-Scan by Tekscan
As we design your full mouth reconstruction, we will verify the exact forces you are experiencing as a result of your bite. T-Scan is a digital bite measurement that lets us understand what forces are at play in your bite, and it tells us about them in realtime. With T-Scan, we can identify any teeth that are subject to excessive force, force that can damage teeth or restorations or contribute to TMJ and its symptoms.
T-Scan helps us ensure that your full mouth reconstruction is properly designed for comfort, function, and durability.
Don’t Give up on Your Smile
No matter what is the cause of the problems with your teeth, we have solutions that can give you the beautiful smile you’ve been longing for. To start designing your smile makeover or full mouth reconstruction in Wilmington, NC, please call (910) 392-6060 or email Kuzma Advanced Dentistry.
