Full Mouth Reconstruction/Rehabilitation involves rebuilding every tooth in the mouth to a new bite position that improves the over all health and bite relationship to the whole body. Using a Neuromuscular approach to find the ideal bite relationship of the upper and lower jaws alignment allows for an ideal physiologic starting point. The whole body is astutely interconnected so the importance of finding an ideal bite relationship of the upper and lower jaws is critical to placing the patient's bite in a natural physiologic zone. This physiologic zone is important because not being in that physiologic zone can affect the patent in so many different ways. From headaches, airway, forward head posture, cervical neck and shoulder issues, ringing of the ears, pressure behind the eyes, TMJ , tinnitus, dizzyness, and facial asymmetry ......... the list goes on. Not all patients have these symptoms but many do.Many patients don't realize the relationship of the bite and these many symptoms.Some patients are totally asymptomatic but have cracked,worn, broken down and decayed teeth which directly affects the upper and lower jaw relationship (vertical dimension). This lack of vertical dimension can contribute to potential pain and decreased function.One of the many overlooked problems with the lack of vertical dimension is the decreased room for the tongue.The tongue is the only available appendage in our body to help the body achieve airway by posturing.This posturing is good because it allows us to put our body in a position to gain air, but it also causes our body to contort in ways that are extremely detrimental to the overall health of the total stomatognathic system. There is a reason that patients that lack proper vertical dimension have numerous cervical neck and airway issues.Forward head posture to gain airway puts the body is a precarious position as it has to balance and support the head that is in the forward position. The sternocleidomastoid, trapezius and scalene muscles have to fire to balance the head.This is why there is an extremely high correlation between TMJ. airway and cervical neck pain.
Full mouth reconstruction involves a highly trained dentist that understands this jaw relationship and how that relationship can affect the TMJ, airway and cervical position (C1/C2). This is a multidisciplinary approach which can involve other specialist like periodontists (specializing in the gums), oral surgeons, orthodontists (specializing in tooth movements and positions) and endodontists (specializing in the tooth pulp health).
The need for full mouth reconstruction may result from:
- Tooth loss due to decay, trauma, injury or fracture.
- Teeth that are severely worn due to acid reflux, foods, drinks, bruxing and grinding.
- Headache, jaw, TMJ and muscle pain associated with poor jaw alignment and bite position.
A comprehensive dental exam will be the first step in the process. The teeth, Peridontal gum tissue, Bone, TMJ (jaw joints), Muscles, Bite, Airway, Posture,Function and Cosmetics will be examined, reviewed and the best treatment plan will be decided to place the jaws/bite in the most ideal physiologic position. This position will take into consideration the joints, muscles,teeth and airway and their relationship to the C1/ C2 cervical area. The comprehensive examination requires records of your mouth such as Digital X-rays and photographs, impressions of your upper and lower teeth, models of your teeth that are made from the impressions and a bite registration. Since this is a multidisciplinary approach other specialists may be needed to develop a treatment plan that is best for you.
Once Dr. Adams has obtained all information relevant to your case, he will develop a comprehensive, step-by-step treatment plan to correct all of the problems in your mouth and complete your reconstruction. If you do not understand the procedure being described to you, ask for a detailed written description of the proposed treatment plan so you can review it. This can be helpful if you want to get a second opinion. Be sure you understand the risks and benefits of the recommended procedures and treatments.
