Full-Mouth Rehabilitation & Reconstruction.

Full-Mouth Rehabilitation and Reconstruction involves restoring the teeth, bite and muscles back to a natural looking and youthful feeling condition, thereby improving self esteem. Using computerized technology and an artistic eye, full mouth restoration may be the answer to many problems such as heat-sensitive teeth, sore jaw muscles and recurring headaches

Dr. Bruce Kanehl may be the only dentist in Jacksonville, Florida who performs Full Mouth Rehabilitation and Reconstruction on a regular basis. This is a very complex procedure that requires much education past the normal dental school education. Starting in 1982, Dr. Kanehl took an extensive course from "The Society of Occlusal Studies" that lasted 2 years. Dr. Kanehl was one of only four dentists in Florida taking the course at the time. The "Masters of Dentistry" came to Florida to teach the course. The procedure needs an engineering thought process, and that happened to be Dr. Bruce Kanehl's training for his undergraduate degree at The University of Rochester.

Reasons to Have Full Mouth Rehabilitation & Reconstruction

There are a number of reasons for Full Mouth Rehabilitation and Reconstruction. One is esthetic where the patient wants a natural looking beautiful smile. This can usually be accomplished using this technique in two visits over a period of less than three weeks. It is important that the patient not only have a beautiful smile, but an occlusion (bite) that is in harmony with their temporomandibular joints.

Another reason is the patient has a severe malocclusion that is affecting their quality of life. This malocclusion may be causing headaches, neck aches, earaches, severe grinding of teeth, loosening of teeth, loss of teeth and/or periodontal disease. Some of these patients first need to wear an occlusal splint (see TMJ Dysfunction) and then once the symptoms are relieved, an occlusion needs to be established in harmony with their temporomandibular joints (TMJ). The new smile and occlusion is first designed in the dental laboratory on a computer-like articulator. Then usually in one session, Dr. Bruce Kanehl prepares the teeth for the crowns, bridges and veneers necessary to achieve this optimal result. Temporaries are placed at this visit with the smile and occlusion. Less than three weeks later, the finished crowns, bridges and veneers are permanently placed in the patient's mouth.

Another reason for Full-Mouth Rehabilitation and Reconstruction is for true TMJ Dysfunction. This treatment is similar to the previous paragraph about severe malocclusion. The main difference is that the patient has a disc problem, usually an anteriorly displaced disc or closed lock of the joints, that needs to be addressed first before establishing the occlusion in harmony with the Temporomandibular Joints. More extensive splint therapy than the treatment for severe malocclusion is usually indicated first before establishing the occlusion.

Before & After Full Mouth Rehabilitation & Reconstruction Gallery

For examples of different Full-Mouth Rehabilitations and Reconstruction that Dr. Bruce Kanehl has completed, please see the photos in the Smile Gallery.