Dental reconstruction, otherwise known as a full-mouth dental reconstruction, is sometimes needed when teeth are missing or severely damaged. In contrast to a smile makeover, a full-mouth reconstruction focuses primarily on structural problems and treating disease.
To help you calculate the cost of dental reconstruction, here is a list of common reconstruction procedures with the average industry cost of each. At your initial appointment, your restorative or cosmetic dentist will map out a possible treatment plan together with the exact cost of every dental procedure.
Periodontal Surgery
Periodontal surgery is the first step in a full-mouth reconstruction (if needed), as the gums support your teeth and implant restorations. This oral surgery procedure is often necessary for people who suffer from periodontal disease or receding gums and provides a strong base for further work.
Gum surgery can be performed by an oral surgeon using soft tissue taken from the roof of your mouth, donor tissue, or xenograft tissue (animal-derived tissue). Your dentist may also use bone grafting techniques to create a stronger base for dental implants.
Cost of Periodontal Treatment
According to industry averages, the cost of periodontal surgery ranges between $500 and $10,000, depending on the following factors:
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The size of the area(s) of gum to be grafted
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Whether your tissues or third-party tissues are used
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Whether a jaw bone graft or sinus lift is also performed (this might cost an additional $400 to $2,000 on average)
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Other procedures and materials that are used, including guided tissue regeneration and proteins
Healthy gums are necessary for successful dental reconstruction and could alleviate pain and sensitivity as well. Once healing from the procedure is complete, you will be ready to continue with your dental reconstruction plan.
Dental Implants
If you have several teeth that are broken, missing, ravaged by tooth decay, or in need of tooth extraction, a dental implant treatment can fill in the gaps—restoring functionality to your mouth and smile. As a permanent mouth restoration solution, dental implants replace the missing teeth and provide an alternative to traditional dentures (false teeth).
In order to secure the artificial tooth, the dental professional attaches a titanium metal post to the jawbone, places an abutment on top of the post, and completes the implant with a natural-looking porcelain crown. If several teeth will be replaced in a row, the dentist may opt for fewer posts and a bridge rather than individual posts, abutments, and crowns. While the implants heal, the dentist may provide you with a removable denture or crown to cover any gaps in the mouth.
Dental Implant Cost
Dental implants are likely to make up the bulk of your dental reconstruction cost because of the three-part process, the cost of materials, and the precision required for a successful result. At a national level, single implants cost around $3,000 to $4,500 per tooth. If you require several dental implants, you may be able to save a little on each tooth, especially if some of the implants are joined with a bridge.
Porcelain Crowns and Bridges
In many cases, worn-down or damaged teeth can be covered with a dental crown rather than needing to be removed and replaced with an implant. They’re also commonly placed after root canal therapy to provide needed support to the tooth. Shaped out of porcelain, a crown is a cap that fits over the tooth and protects the part of the tooth that remains while restoring a normal bite and functionality.
Where several teeth need crowns in a row, a bridge can be used in their place. This dental fitting is made from multiple crowns that only need to be joined to your natural teeth at each end. Dental bridges cost less than having each tooth fitted with a crown individually and provide the added benefit of easier cleaning as there are no gaps between the teeth.
Cost of Porcelain Crowns and Bridges
The cost of dental crowns and bridges as part of a dental reconstruction will vary according to the quality of the materials used, how many crowns are included in a bridge, and the experience of your cosmetic dentist overseeing your restorative procedure. Crowns usually cost between $1,000 and $3,500 per tooth, and bridges cost around $700 to $1,500 per tooth in the bridge. They may be covered by some dental insurances if you have a legitimate need. Speak with your insurance provider for more information.
Porcelain Inlays and Onlays
Porcelain inlays and onlays may be used as part of a full-mouth reconstruction where teeth are broken or have deep cavities. Similar to composite bonding, the damaged part of the tooth is cleaned out with a drill to make room for the restorative material. Then, the dentist will take a mold of the tooth and have the porcelain inlay/onlay made up in a dental laboratory before bonding the material with the tooth.
The purpose of porcelain inlays and onlays is to preserve the healthy part of your teeth while helping to guard against further damage. Their advantages over regular fillings are that they’re stronger, they last longer, and they maintain their color over time.
Porcelain Inlay and Onlay Costs
At present, only a small number of specialized dentists offer the service of porcelain inlays and onlays because this technique is not taught at dental school. The average cost can range from $250 to $1,500 for inlays and $350 to $1,500 for onlays, depending on the materials, difficulty, number of required office visits, and experience of the dentist.
Invisalign
When you’re having a full-mouth reconstruction, it’s the perfect chance to correct alignment issues with your existing teeth and jaw. This will help to resolve jaw misalignment (malocclusion) problems such as headaches and difficulty chewing while making your teeth much easier to clean.
Invisalign is a new and innovative approach to tooth realignment that doesn’t require uncomfortable metallic braces. Instead, you are provided with a graduated series of molds that gently nudge your teeth into place. If your dentist decides that you are a suitable candidate for Invisalign for crooked teeth, you would complete the process before any dental implants are placed.
Invisalign Cost
According to national averages, Invisalign teeth straightening can add between $3,000 and $5,000 to your total dental reconstruction cost, although the exact cost will depend on your dentist. Patients who have completed the process have been extremely pleased with the result—whether it was done on its own, as part of a smile makeover, or as part of a full-mouth reconstruction.
Zoom Teeth Whitening
Laser tooth whitening is not a reconstructive technique per se but is often included as part of the reconstruction process to brighten stained teeth and finish your smile. The technique—developed by Philips—uses blue LED light-accelerated technology to whiten your teeth together with a peroxide gel. You are then provided with take-home trays to keep your smile looking clean and bright.
If your dental reconstruction process involved implants, crowns, bridges, and inlays/onlays, your natural teeth would be whitened after any gum surgery has healed. The porcelain crowns, bridges, and implants can then be made to match the color of your whitened teeth.
Tooth Whitening Cost
While individual dentist costs may vary, the average cost for Zoom! laser teeth whitening is $500, including the take-home trays. Whitening will generally be one of the smallest contributors to your total dental reconstruction cost, but undoubtedly one of the most satisfying over time.
Considering the Full-Mouth Reconstruction Cost
When you add up all of the possible procedures, you could be looking at a total of $30,000 to $150,000 for a full-mouth reconstruction. It might seem like a lot of money to invest, but the results can be life-changing.
For some people, dental reconstruction restores their oral health after an accident or periodontal disease. For others, it could open the door to a brand-new career in a public role. Consider these benefits of investing in a full-mouth reconstruction:
Prevent Oral Problems from Becoming Worse
Oral health issues like periodontal disease and cavities don’t go away on their own and could lead to more serious problems. For example, gum disease has been linked with a higher risk of heart disease. Cavities that are left unchecked can lead to an irreversible loss of teeth.
By addressing your oral health issues at once with a professional full-mouth reconstruction, you can stop these long-term problems in their tracks and prevent them from occurring again. Your dentist will provide you with practical advice to optimize your oral health.
Restore Your Confidence After an Accident
We never plan to lose healthy teeth in an accident, but this unfortunate event could happen to anyone. Car accidents, sports accidents, household falls, and rough play could all result in a missing tooth (or two) and affect the usual appearance of your smile.
In a dental reconstruction, an experienced dentist can replace the missing teeth with implants, filling the gaps before jaw problems have a chance to develop and restoring your confidence in your smile. In some cases, it might be possible to replace the natural tooth that was knocked out.
Invest in Your Health With Dental Reconstruction
If you know that your oral health isn’t what it could be, schedule your initial consultation with an experienced dentist about how reconstructive dental treatments could help. The sooner you find out which procedures you need and start down the path to a healthier smile, the easier the entire process will be.
Above all, look for a reputable, highly rated dental practice that can deliver what you’re trying to achieve. The cost of your dental reconstruction might be a little higher than the average dentistry cost, but your beautiful smile will be made to last.
