Full Mouth Reconstruction in Kensington, MD

Full mouth reconstruction represents the most comprehensive dental treatment a prosthodontist performs. For Kensington patients whose teeth have experienced extensive damage from decay, wear, failed restorations, or bite problems, reconstruction offers the opportunity to restore health, function, and appearance across the entire smile.

Dr. Gerald Marlin at Elite Prosthetic Dentistry, located 15 minutes from Kensington at 4400 Jenifer Street NW in Friendship Heights, has spent decades performing comprehensive reconstructive cases. Full mouth reconstruction requires a level of expertise that only a prosthodontist possesses, combining advanced knowledge of materials, occlusion, esthetics, and treatment planning.

Schedule Your Consultation

When Full Mouth Reconstruction Becomes Necessary

Kensington patients sometimes arrive at the point where individual tooth treatment no longer addresses their dental needs. This typically occurs in one of several scenarios. A patient may have a lifetime of dental work that is failing, with multiple crowns and fillings that are now compromised by new decay or structural failure. Another patient may have worn teeth from years of nighttime grinding, with reduced vertical dimension that affects their facial appearance and bite function. A third patient may have experienced severe decay across multiple teeth due to dry mouth, dietary factors, or gaps in previous dental care.

In each case, treating teeth individually with standard restorations will not achieve lasting results. These patients benefit from comprehensive reconstruction that addresses all of their teeth simultaneously, correcting not just individual teeth but the overall bite relationships, vertical dimension, and esthetic proportions.

The Prosthodontist’s Role in Reconstruction

Full mouth reconstruction is the specialty that defines prosthodontics. During three years of residency training beyond dental school, prosthodontists study the biomechanics of occlusion (bite relationships), materials science for complex restorations, and the principles of comprehensive treatment planning.

This training prepares our team at Elite Prosthetic Dentistry to take a patient with severely compromised dentition and design a reconstruction plan that addresses all of their teeth, restores proper bite function, and achieves a natural appearance. The plan is developed with an understanding of how all the teeth and restorations will work together as an integrated system.

The Full Mouth Reconstruction Process

Step 1: Comprehensive Examination and Diagnostics

Your initial consultation involves much more extensive evaluation than a typical dental visit. Our prosthodontic team examines your teeth, gums, bite, and jaw relationships. We take detailed photographs and may order specialized imaging like cone-beam CT scans if needed to understand bone structure and tooth positioning. Bite records and impressions are taken.

Based on this information, Elite Prosthetic Dentistry develops a diagnosis of your dental condition and explains what contributed to your current situation.

Step 2: Treatment Planning and Visualization

For comprehensive reconstruction, our prosthodontic team develops a detailed treatment plan that may include a diagnostic wax-up showing the proposed final result. This visualization allows you to understand what your reconstructed smile will look like before any irreversible treatment begins. You discuss the plan, timeline, and investment.

Some reconstruction cases benefit from temporary restorations that allow you to “preview” the proposed changes before final treatment is completed.

Step 3: Tooth Preparation and Temporization

Treatment typically begins with preparation of the teeth that will receive restorations. Temporary restorations are placed to maintain function and appearance while your permanent restorations are being fabricated. Temporary restorations also serve another purpose: they allow our practice to verify that the proposed bite changes feel correct and that your jaw joints respond well to the new positioning.

Step 4: Fabrication in the On-Site Laboratory

As tooth preparation is completed, impressions are sent to the on-site laboratory. The ceramist works directly with Dr. Marlin’s specifications, fabricating your restorations with precise attention to shade, shape, surface texture, and occlusal design. The advantage of the in-house laboratory is that adjustments and refinements can be made during your follow-up appointments rather than through multiple rounds of external communication.

Step 5: Progressive Restoration Delivery

Depending on your case, restorations may be delivered in phases. Your upper anterior restorations might be completed first, followed by upper posterior teeth, then lower restorations. This phased approach allows time for adjustment to bite changes and permits refinement of the design based on how your bite and jaw joints respond.

Step 6: Final Adjustments and Bite Refinement

As restorations are delivered, Dr. Marlin carefully adjusts them for perfect fit, comfort, and proper bite relationships. Bite adjustments are made to ensure that all your teeth contact properly when you close your mouth and that your jaw joints are in a comfortable relationship. Fine-tuning continues until your bite feels perfectly natural.

Materials and Quality in Reconstruction

For full mouth reconstruction, Elite Prosthetic Dentistry uses only premium materials. Anterior teeth receive restorations fabricated from modern high-translucency multilayered zirconia, which delivers exceptional aesthetics combined with strength that exceeds traditional all-ceramic. Posterior teeth receive lithium disilicate (e.max) restorations, well-suited for back teeth, bruxism cases, and high-stress positions. All restorations are bonded or cemented using proven materials and techniques.

The in-site laboratory ensures that all restorations meet our team at Elite Prosthetic Dentistry’s exacting standards for precision, esthetics, and function.

Addressing Specific Challenges

Worn Teeth from Grinding

Patients with severe wear from nighttime grinding have multiple challenges. Their teeth are shortened, which reduces their facial height and ages their appearance. The worn surfaces create poor contact and can stress the jaw joints. Full mouth reconstruction restores the teeth to their proper length and shape, improving appearance and function. A nightguard is then recommended to protect the restored teeth going forward.

Failed Restorations

Kensington patients with multiple failing crowns and fillings often benefit from comprehensive reconstruction. Removing all the old work and restoring all the teeth simultaneously allows Elite Prosthetic Dentistry to design optimal bite relationships and esthetic results rather than being constrained by the positioning of old restorations.

Bone Loss and Tooth Loss

Some reconstruction cases involve missing teeth. Our practice may recommend implants to replace missing teeth as part of the overall reconstruction plan, or may design restorations that close spaces and improve appearance. The specific approach depends on your individual situation.

Bite Correction

Many reconstruction patients have bite problems that have contributed to their dental damage. During reconstruction, these bite problems are corrected through careful restoration design. Teeth are positioned and shaped to create proper contact and function.

Timeline and Phases of Treatment

Simple full mouth reconstructions may require 3 to 6 months of treatment. More complex cases involving extensive preparation, bite correction, and multiple procedures may require 6 to 12 months. Our specialty-trained team develops a detailed timeline during your consultation and may adjust it as treatment progresses based on how your teeth and jaw joints respond.

After Reconstruction: Long-Term Success

Following completion of full mouth reconstruction, success depends on several factors. Excellent home care including thorough brushing and flossing is essential. Regular checkups with Dr. Marlin allow early detection of any issues. If you grind your teeth at night, consistent use of a nightguard protects your restorations. Some patients benefit from a soft diet in the first weeks after major restorations are completed, gradually returning to normal eating as they adapt to their new bite.

When these measures are followed, full mouth reconstructions routinely last 15 to 20+ years, with many lasting far longer.

Investment in Comprehensive Restoration

Full mouth reconstruction represents a significant investment in your long-term dental health and appearance. Because comprehensive cases involve multiple teeth and complex treatment planning, the total cost is higher than individual restorations. Dr. Marlin provides detailed cost estimates and discusses financing options that make comprehensive treatment accessible.

Many patients find that the improved function, appearance, and confidence resulting from successful reconstruction justify the investment.

Related Resources

• Learn more about full-mouth reconstruction
• Smile Makeover with Reconstruction
• Explore dental implants
• View all locations we serve
• Browse patient success stories
• Patient success stories
• Patient education resources
• What our patients say
• Am I a candidate?
• View our smile gallery

Getting Here from Kensington

Our office at 4400 Jenifer Street NW is approximately 15 minutes from Kensington via Connecticut Avenue NW through Chevy Chase. The Friendship Heights Metro station on the Red Line is adjacent to our building. Street parking and a nearby public garage are available.

Schedule Your Consultation or call (202) 244-2101.