Finding a Dental Discount Plan for Full Mouth Reconstruction - How Much Does it Cost?

By Susan Braden
Published Jul 30 2010

Severe oral problems may require a complete reconstruction of your mouth. This drastic measure could mean separate things for different patient’s mouths, depending on the exact problems that need to be corrected, which also means the cost can vary drastically from patient to patient. Though the price of treatment may sound daunting, you can often find a dental discount plan that will make the procedures less of a strain on your wallet.

Causes

Full Mouth Reconstruction is the process of restoring or rebuilding all or most of the teeth on both the upper and lower jaws. Some people opt for this simply for cosmetic purposes, but often its necessity stems from a true medical problem, such as:

• Persistent jaw, muscle and headache pain caused by an irregular bite
• Teeth severely worn down by long-term tooth grinding or acid erosion
• Injured or fractured teeth
• Missing teeth due to trauma or decay

In these situations, you should get a comprehensive exam to determine the extent of the damage and the discount treatment options that are available to you.

Common Procedures

This drastic treatment often involves a combination of both cosmetic dentistry and restorative procedures.

• Implants require two surgeries to permanently replace individual teeth. In the first surgery, the dentist makes gum incisions and drills titanium rods into your jawbone where you are missing teeth. Any openings are sealed with stitches, and often a temporary bridge or denture is placed over the gaps. After several months, your bone will fuse with the metal rods, and then your dentist can attach prosthetic teeth. The implant process typically costs anywhere from $2,000-$4,000 per tooth without a discount plan.


• Bridges replace missing teeth by attaching crowns to the teeth on either side of the gap, connected by a false tooth in the center. Bridges can be made from ceramic, metal or plastic.


• Crowns attach to damaged teeth to restore their shape and protect them from further harm. Parts of your original tooth may be removed to better accommodate the crown. The most common varieties are made of ceramic, metal or a mixture of the two. Some people find that they get a better discount with the inexpensive metal version. Crowns often cost $600-$1,000 each.


• Fillings protect your pearly whites that have cavities from further damage. After a dentist removes the cavity, the empty space is filled with either a composite or a metal amalgam component. Fillings usually cost about $150-$200 per tooth.


• TMJ Treatment addresses any joint problems connecting your upper and lower jaw. Mouth guards, jaw exercises and bite therapy, when combined with other treatments and possible jaw surgery, can help cure this problem. TMJ treatment can cost $2,000-$3,000 or more.

Consult a dentist to learn your options concerning what is best for you and your mouth. If you are worried about the cost, a dental discount plan could take away some stress and help you move toward a healthy, beautiful smile.