FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: If my teeth are worn or failing, is it better to pull them and get implants or save them through reconstruction?

A: This is one of the most critical decisions a patient can make. While “All-on-4” or dentures are often marketed as a quick fix, they are irreversible. My philosophy, backed by decades of clinical experience and conservative academic training at Columbia  University School of Dental Medicine, is that your natural teeth, if properly rehabilitated, are superior to any titanium or plastic substitute. Like anything else, healthy natural is always better than artificial.  Full mouth reconstruction and rehabilitation focus on restoring the structural integrity of your existing natural teeth. This preserves your natural jawbone, maintains your facial profile, and avoids the “sunken” look that often follows mass extractions.

Q: I’ve been told my teeth are “hopeless.” Can a specialist with years of experience offer a different perspective?

A: “Hopeless” is often a matter of the provider’s comfort level or personal philosophy regarding healthcare.  Performing a comprehensive rehabilitation on a compromised mouth is both a scientific challenge and an artistic mastery. My academic background and decades in practice allow me to look at the mouth as an entire functional system rather than a collection of individual “bad” teeth. We often find that through advanced porcelain engineering, bite realignment and periodontal gum treatment we can save a smile that others would have discarded.

Q: Is full mouth rehabilitation a cosmetic procedure or a medical necessity?

A: It is a sophisticated hybrid. The science involves correcting a collapsed bite and restoring the “vertical dimension” of your face to protect your jaw joints and muscles. It also involves returning the teeth to a state of health. There is an undeniable, oral systemic relationship, and the health of your mouth ultimately has an influence on the health of vital organ systems in your body.  The art part of the equation involves using my talent for aesthetic design to ensure those restorations look indistinguishable from natural enamel.  Although trained formally as a dentist, I also consider myself an artist with the ability to paint, draw and sculpt. When you have decades of experience, you learn that beauty without function fails, and function without beauty is incomplete.  I and my team provide both to ensure your new smile feels as natural as it looks.

Q: How does the experience of the doctor impact the longevity of a full mouth reconstruction?

A: Longevity is the true test of a doctor’s skill. A clinician who has performed these procedures for over 50 years understands the “physics of the mouth“, how porcelain reacts to the force of a human bite over a decade, not just weeks. My deep experience ensures that the materials chosen and the engineering principles applied are tailored to your specific muscular habits that influence your jaw movements through it’s many excursions during mastication. This prevents the fractures and failures common in less experienced hands.

The Goal: A Healthy, Functional, Beautiful Smile

A full mouth restoration brings every tooth—and the bite as a whole—back into harmony. The result is stronger chewing, improved comfort, a rejuvenated appearance, and long-term oral health.