What Happens in a Full Mouth Crown Restoration?
If you noticed that most of your teeth have been severely damaged by decay, fractures, wear, or dental trauma, a full mouth crown restoration may help restore both your smile and dental function.
Regardless of what dental treatment you’re considering, it’s best to discuss first with a qualified dentist to be assessed thoroughly and explore the options you can take.
At Blue Gum Dental, we understand that comprehensive dental work can feel daunting, but with proper care and information, the process can be smooth, comfortable and rewarding.
Let’s take a glimpse of what a full mouth crown restoration involves, how it differs from a single crown, and what you can expect during each step of the procedure.
What Is a Full Mouth Crown Restoration?
A full mouth crown restoration is a comprehensive dental treatment that restores most or all of your teeth using custom-made crowns. It’s often recommended for patients whose teeth have been damaged by extensive decay, wear, fractures or previous large fillings that have weakened over time.
Unlike a single crown covering one tooth, a full mouth restoration focuses on rebuilding the function, appearance and alignment of your entire bite. It not only strengthens your teeth but also improves your overall oral health and comfort.
Each crown is individually designed to fit precisely over the existing tooth structure, providing protection and restoring the natural shape and colour of your teeth.
When Is Full Mouth Crown Restoration Recommended?
Your dentist may suggest a full mouth crown restoration if you have:
- Many teeth that are cracked, worn or broken
- Teeth severely affected by decay or old restorations
- Erosion or enamel wear due to grinding (bruxism)
- A collapsed bite that affects jaw function or appearance
- Extensive damage after trauma or medical treatment
In some cases, this might be part of a broader treatment plan that includes other restorative procedures like bridges, root canal therapy or implants.
Benefits of a Full Mouth Crown Restoration
This type of restoration offers both functional and aesthetic benefits, helping to restore your oral health and confidence. Here are some of the benefits of a full mouth crown restoration:
- Enhanced strength and stability: Protects weakened teeth from further damage.
- Improved appearance: Restores a natural-looking smile with balanced colour and shape.
- Better bite function: Corrects misalignment and allows for comfortable chewing.
- Long-lasting protection: With good care, crowns can sustain 10 + years. A review showed PFM crowns achieved up to around 90% survival over ten years in some cases.
- Improved comfort and confidence: Eliminates sensitivity and restores your ability to speak and eat normally.
Step-by-Step: The Dental Crown Restoration Procedure
Every full mouth crown restoration begins with a detailed assessment and treatment plan tailored to your needs. Here’s what typically happens:
1. Consultation and Examination
Your dentist will do a full oral exam, possibly including digital X-rays or 3D scans to assess the health of your tooth roots and bone. The condition of teeth, gums and bite will be evaluated.
During this stage, you will discuss treatment goals and options, including materials, costs and time-frames.
If needed, any existing decay or damage will be treated first to ensure a healthy foundation for your new crowns.
2. Treatment Planning and Digital Impressions
Once your oral health is stable, your dentist will plan the design of your crowns using digital scans or impressions. These allow precise mapping of your teeth and bite, so the new crowns will fit seamlessly and function comfortably.
In many cases, temporary crowns will be placed while the permanent restorations are being fabricated.
3. Tooth Preparation
Each tooth is carefully shaped to create space for the crown. This ensures the final restoration will fit snugly and look natural.
A local anaesthetic is typically used to keep you comfortable during the process. Final impressions will be taken to send to the dental laboratory.
4. Fabrication of Your Crowns
The crowns are custom-made to match the colour, shape and size of your natural teeth, which may also differ in the materials used.
Here are some of the most common crown materials:
- Porcelain or ceramic – ideal for front teeth where aesthetics matter
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) – offers strength plus a natural appearance
- Zirconia – very durable and resistant to wear
- Gold alloy – long-lasting and suitable for back teeth under heavy bite pressure
A research review noted that indirect crown restorations may endure up to ten years in around 75-80 % of cases, and that zirconia materials had survival of about 88 % over five years.
Another systematic review found full-coverage crowns had survival rates of 99 % at ≤24 months and about 95 % at ≥36 months for fixed restorations using hybrid materials.
5. Fitting and Adjustment
When your crowns are ready, the dentist will check the fit, colour and bite alignment before bonding them permanently with dental cement.
Minor adjustments may be made in the mouth to ensure a perfect fit and natural bite. To do so, you will be asked to bite gently and check comfort and function to get the most accurate bite and alignment for your teeth.
6. Follow-Up and Maintenance
After placement, your dentist will schedule follow-up visits to monitor your bite and gum health. With proper care, crowns can last many years and give long-term protection for your natural teeth.
To maintain your new smile:
- Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
- Floss or use interdental brushes to clean around the crowns
- Avoid biting hard objects like ice or pens
- Attend regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings
Full Mouth Crown Restoration vs Veneers or Bridges
While veneers are primarily for cosmetic improvement on front teeth, crowns cover the full surface of the tooth for added protection. Bridges, on the other hand, replace one or more missing teeth by anchoring artificial teeth between crowns on either side.
If you have multiple damaged or worn teeth, a full mouth crown restoration provides a more comprehensive and durable solution than veneers or partial restorations.
Restore Function and Confidence to Your Smile
A full mouth crown restoration can transform your oral health, function and appearance, giving you the confidence to smile, eat and speak with ease.
If you’re considering a dental crown restoration procedure or would like to learn whether you’re a good candidate for a full mouth crown restoration in Brentwood, seek dental advice from our team at Blue Gum Dental.
At Blue Gum Dental, our team offers personalised restorative solutions designed to rebuild your smile and improve your oral health. Book a consultation with us today to explore your options.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not replace personalised dental advice. Please consult your dentist for an assessment and treatment plan tailored to your individual needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a full mouth crown restoration?
A full mouth crown restoration is a treatment where multiple teeth are restored with individually made crowns. This approach may help improve function, comfort, and protection for teeth that have been heavily worn or damaged.
Crowns are commonly used to strengthen compromised teeth, and in a research review, crown restorations showed survival rates of around 75–80% at 10 years.
2. How long do dental crowns last?
Crown longevity varies based on oral hygiene, bite forces, materials and general dental health.
In 2020, a research analysis showed zirconia crowns reached survival rates of around 88% after five years.
3. What materials are used for full-mouth crown restorations?
Common crown materials include porcelain, ceramic, porcelain-fused-to-metal, zirconia and gold alloy. Each material has different benefits depending on your bite, tooth structure and cosmetic goals.
4. Is a full mouth crown restoration painful?
Local anaesthetic is used to keep you comfortable during the procedure. Some patients may experience mild sensitivity or tenderness afterwards, which usually settles as the teeth adapt. Your dentist will provide advice tailored to your situation.
5. How do I care for my crowns after treatment?
Daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste, flossing, and routine dental visits can help maintain the health of the teeth and gums surrounding your crowns. Good oral hygiene is important for the teeth, gums and crowns for long-term survival of restorations.
6. Am I a candidate for a full mouth crown restoration?
Suitability depends on your oral health, enamel condition, bite, and any underlying dental concerns. A personalised dental assessment is required to determine whether this treatment is appropriate for you.