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If your teeth are repeatedly chipping, wearing down, breaking, or failing, treating one tooth at a time may no longer be enough. Full mouth reconstruction in Austin creates a coordinated plan to restore your teeth, bite, and oral function.
Also called full mouth restoration or full mouth rehabilitation, reconstruction may combine gum treatment, extractions, bone grafting, dental implants, crowns, bridges, or full-arch implant restorations.
At Austin Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry, Dr. Alexander Nguyen and Dr. Madeleine Chung coordinate the surgical and restorative portions of treatment under one roof.
Full mouth reconstruction is a comprehensive treatment plan for patients with multiple damaged, worn, missing, or failing teeth.
Unlike treating individual dental problems as they arise, reconstruction considers your entire mouth—including:
Treatment is planned in phases so each step supports the next.
Full mouth reconstruction may be appropriate if you have several of the following:
Active gum disease, decay, or infection is typically treated before permanent reconstruction begins.
Several problems can contribute to extensive tooth damage.
Grinding and clenching: Bruxism can gradually flatten and fracture teeth.
Acid erosion: Reflux, acidic foods, and beverages can weaken enamel over time.
Tooth loss: Missing teeth can cause neighboring teeth to shift and change how your bite functions.
Aging dental work: Crowns and fillings eventually need repair or replacement.
Trauma or developmental conditions: Certain injuries and enamel conditions can affect multiple teeth.
When several of these issues occur together, a comprehensive plan may be more appropriate than isolated repairs.
Every case is different, but treatment commonly follows several phases.
We begin with clinical photographs, digital scans, bite records, and 3D CBCT imaging when needed. This provides a complete picture of your teeth, gums, bone, bite, and jaw anatomy.
Your records are used to develop a detailed treatment plan. A diagnostic wax-up may be created to show the proposed tooth shape and bite before permanent treatment begins.
Decay, gum disease, infection, and teeth that cannot be saved are addressed first. Necessary extractions, root canal treatment, or periodontal treatment may be included.
If implants are needed, this phase may include bone grafting, sinus procedures, and implant placement. IV sedation and deep sedation are available for appropriate surgical procedures. Sedation care may be provided by Dr. Alexander Nguyen, a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, and Dr. Brett Harris, a dental anesthesiologist.
Temporary teeth allow you to test your new bite, function, and appearance before permanent restorations are made. Adjustments can be made based on how they feel and function.
Once the bite and temporaries are working well, they are used to guide the final crowns, bridges, implant restorations, or other permanent teeth.
Long-term maintenance may include a custom night guard, regular hygiene visits, and periodic bite checks.
The two treatments can overlap, but their goals are different.
Full mouth reconstruction is primarily focused on function, oral health, and a stable bite. It may involve restorative and surgical treatment for worn, damaged, diseased, or missing teeth.
A smile makeover is primarily focused on appearance when the teeth and bite are otherwise healthy. Treatments may include veneers, bonding, whitening, or other cosmetic procedures.
Some patients need both. In those cases, functional needs are addressed while the final restorations are designed with your cosmetic goals in mind.
| Full Mouth Reconstruction | Smile Makeover | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary goal | Function and oral health | Appearance |
| Common concerns | Wear, fractures, missing teeth, failing dental work | Color, shape, chips, gaps |
| Treatment | Restorations, implants, grafting, gum treatment | Veneers, bonding, whitening |
| Timeline | Often several months or longer | Often weeks to months |
Not necessarily—and removing teeth is not automatically part of reconstruction.
The goal is generally to preserve healthy, restorable teeth. Teeth may need extraction when they are severely fractured, extensively decayed, or compromised by advanced gum disease.
If teeth cannot be saved, dental implants or full-arch implant treatment may provide replacement options.
Treatment time depends on how many teeth require treatment, whether implants or bone grafting are needed, and how your mouth heals.
Some cases take several months, while more complex reconstruction can take a year or longer.
When full-arch implant surgery is part of the plan, surgery typically takes about 3–4 hours per arch. Full-mouth treatment for both arches is commonly about 5–8 hours.
Your treatment plan will outline the major phases and expected timeline before treatment begins.
Recovery depends on the procedures performed. Surgical treatment may cause swelling and soreness for several days, while restorative appointments typically involve less discomfort.
If IV or deep sedation is used, you will need someone to drive you home.
After reconstruction, maintaining good daily hygiene, attending regular dental cleanings, and wearing a night guard when recommended can help protect your teeth and restorations.
Full mouth reconstruction often requires both surgical and restorative expertise.
At Austin Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry, Dr. Alexander Nguyen, a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, and Dr. Madeleine Chung, a cosmetic and restorative dentist, coordinate treatment under one roof.
This allows implant placement, bone reconstruction, bite planning, and final restorations to be considered together from the beginning. When sedation is needed, Dr. Brett Harris, a dental anesthesiologist, may also provide specialized anesthesia and sedation care.
Our Highway 290 office serves Austin and surrounding communities, including Oak Hill, Circle C, Dripping Springs, Belterra, Bee Cave, and Wimberley.
Is full mouth reconstruction painful?
Treatment is performed with appropriate local anesthesia, and IV sedation or deep sedation may be available for surgical procedures. Temporary soreness is expected after some treatments.
Do all my teeth have to be removed?
No. The goal is generally to preserve healthy teeth whenever possible. Extraction is recommended only when a tooth cannot be predictably restored.
Can I see my new teeth before permanent restorations?
Yes. A diagnostic wax-up and temporary restorations can allow you to evaluate the proposed bite, appearance, and function before final restorations are completed.
How long does full mouth reconstruction last?
The treatment itself may take several months or longer. The longevity of the finished restorations depends on factors such as oral hygiene, bite forces, diet, regular maintenance, and whether you grind your teeth.
Will reconstruction fix jaw pain?
It may help in some cases, but jaw pain can have many causes. Your jaw joints and muscles should be evaluated before changing your bite, and reconstruction should not be presented as a guaranteed treatment for TMJ problems.
Does insurance cover full mouth reconstruction?
Coverage depends on your individual plan and the procedures involved. Treatment addressing disease or restoring function may be treated differently from elective cosmetic procedures.
Can dental implants be part of reconstruction?
Yes. Dental implants can replace missing teeth or support a full-arch restoration when individual teeth cannot be saved.
How much does full mouth reconstruction cost in Austin?
Cost varies significantly based on the number of teeth treated, restorations required, implants, grafting, sedation, and other procedures. A comprehensive examination is needed to create an individualized treatment plan.
If your teeth are wearing down, breaking, or failing in multiple areas, treating each problem separately may not address the underlying issues.
Dr. Alexander Nguyen and Dr. Madeleine Chung can evaluate your teeth, bite, gums, and bone and develop a phased full mouth reconstruction plan in Austin based on your needs.
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