What Is Full Mouth Reconstruction — and Who Needs It?

Full mouth reconstruction is one of the most comprehensive treatment pathways in modern dentistry and oral surgery. Unlike a single procedure, it combines multiple restorative and surgical treatments — dental implants, bone grafting, extractions, jaw surgery, and more — into a coordinated plan that rebuilds an entire bite from the ground up. For patients in West Valley City, UT and the surrounding Salt Lake Valley, West Valley OMS provides the surgical expertise at the core of almost every full mouth reconstruction case.

You may be a candidate for full mouth reconstruction if you have experienced:

• Severe tooth decay affecting most or all of your teeth
• Advanced periodontal (gum) disease causing bone and tooth loss
• Traumatic injury to the face, jaw, or multiple teeth
• Long-term tooth grinding (bruxism) that has worn teeth to the gumline
• Congenital conditions affecting tooth development
• Multiple failing or missing teeth that compromise your ability to chew or speak normally

Patients traveling to us from South Jordan, Riverton, Herriman, Taylorsville, and Murray often arrive having been told by their general dentist that they need surgical-level care before restorative work can proceed. That’s where our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons step in.

The Surgical Foundation of Full Mouth Reconstruction

West Valley OMS focuses on the surgical phase of reconstruction — the procedures that establish the foundation everything else builds on. These typically include:

Dental Implants

For patients missing multiple teeth, dental implants in West Valley City are the gold standard replacement option. Implants integrate directly with the jawbone, preventing the bone resorption that leads to the sunken facial appearance associated with long-term tooth loss. In a full mouth reconstruction context, implants may support individual crowns, implant-supported bridges, or a full arch prosthesis (All-on-4 or similar approaches).

Bone Grafting

Years of tooth loss or infection often leave insufficient bone volume to support implants. Bone grafting — either at the time of extraction or as a dedicated procedure — rebuilds the ridge to the dimensions needed for successful implant placement. Most patients in West Valley City, UT are surprised to learn that grafting is an outpatient procedure performed right in our office under IV sedation, with recovery measured in days rather than weeks.

Tooth Extractions

Teeth that are beyond saving must be removed before restorative work begins. Leaving infected or failing teeth in place jeopardizes bone quality and can sabotage an otherwise well-planned reconstruction. Our surgeons perform both routine and complex extractions, including impacted teeth, with precision to preserve as much surrounding bone as possible.

Jaw Surgery (Orthognathic Surgery)

Some patients undergoing full mouth reconstruction have an underlying bite discrepancy — skeletal misalignment that contributed to tooth wear or joint damage over years. When that’s the case, orthognathic surgery in West Valley, UT corrects the jaw position before any prosthetic work is placed. Doing so ensures that crowns, bridges, and implants are loaded correctly and last as long as they should.

How the Reconstruction Process Works at West Valley OMS

Comprehensive cases require coordination between our oral surgeons and your general dentist or prosthodontist. Here is a typical sequence for a full mouth reconstruction patient in West Valley City, UT:

1. Consultation and 3D Imaging: Our surgeons use cone-beam CT (CBCT) technology to map bone volume, nerve positions, sinus anatomy, and tooth roots in three dimensions before a single incision is made. This imaging drives the treatment plan and eliminates surprises in the operating room.
2. Surgical Phase: Extractions, bone grafting, and implant placement are sequenced appropriately — sometimes in a single visit under IV sedation, sometimes across multiple appointments depending on healing requirements.
3. Healing and Integration: Implants require three to six months to osseointegrate (fuse with the jawbone) before the final prosthetics can be loaded. During this period, patients wear temporary restorations so they are never without function or aesthetics.
4. Restorative Phase: Once our surgeons confirm successful integration, your restoring dentist places the final crowns, bridges, or prosthesis. West Valley OMS works closely with referring dentists across West Valley City, South Jordan, Murray, and the broader Salt Lake Valley to ensure a smooth handoff.

From start to finish, a full mouth reconstruction typically spans twelve to eighteen months. Complex cases involving jaw surgery or extensive grafting may take longer. The timeline feels significant — but for most patients, it ends decades of pain, embarrassment, and declining quality of life.

What Does Full Mouth Reconstruction Cost in West Valley City, UT?

Cost varies enormously based on the number and type of implants, whether jaw surgery is needed, the extent of bone grafting, and the restorative work your dentist plans. Rather than cite ranges that may not apply to your case, we encourage you to schedule a consultation so our surgeons can review your imaging and give you an accurate, itemized estimate.

What we can tell you: many surgical components of reconstruction — extractions, bone grafts, implants — are covered in part by dental insurance and, in some cases, medical insurance (particularly when trauma or a diagnosed medical condition is involved). Our team works with most major insurance plans and can review your benefits before treatment begins. We also offer financing options through third-party lenders to spread costs over time.

For a deeper look at implant-specific costs, see our guide to dental implants cost in West Valley City, UT.

Recovery: What to Expect After the Surgical Phase

Each procedure within a full mouth reconstruction carries its own recovery timeline. In general:

• Tooth extractions: Most patients resume normal activity within two to three days. Avoid smoking, straws, and hard foods for at least a week.
• Bone grafting: Swelling and mild discomfort typically peak at 48–72 hours and resolve within a week. The graft itself matures over four to six months.
• Implant placement: The implant site heals in one to two weeks; osseointegration continues silently over the following months.
• Jaw surgery: Soft-food diet for six to eight weeks; full return to normal diet after three to four months.

Our team provides written post-operative instructions, a dedicated after-hours line, and a follow-up schedule designed to catch any complications early. Patients coming to us from Taylorsville and Murray are typically a short drive away for post-op visits; those from Herriman or Riverton can expect a roughly 20–25 minute drive to our West Valley City office.

Why West Valley OMS for Your Reconstruction?

Our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons completed hospital-based surgical residency training beyond dental school — the same credentialing pathway as medical surgeons. That training matters in complex full mouth reconstruction cases, where unexpected anatomy, systemic health factors, or multi-stage anesthesia decisions can arise.

We also operate a fully equipped in-office surgical suite with IV sedation administered and monitored by our own credentialed team — so patients in West Valley City, UT don’t need to arrange separate anesthesia or travel to a hospital-based facility for most procedures.

If you’re still researching surgeons and want to understand what sets a specialist apart, our guide on how to find the right oral surgeon in Utah walks through credentials, questions to ask, and red flags to watch for.

Schedule a Full Mouth Reconstruction Consultation in West Valley City, UT

If you’ve been living with a compromised smile or have been told you need extensive dental work, the best first step is a comprehensive consultation with a surgical specialist. West Valley OMS serves patients throughout West Valley City, South Jordan, Riverton, Herriman, Taylorsville, Murray, and the greater Salt Lake Valley.

To learn more about what your consultation will look like, visit our oral surgery consultation page. When you’re ready to get started, contact our West Valley City office to schedule your appointment. We look forward to helping you build a plan that works for your health, your timeline, and your budget.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or dental advice. Individual treatment needs vary significantly. Please consult with a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon for a personalized evaluation and treatment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions: Full Mouth Reconstruction in West Valley City, UT

How do I know if I need full mouth reconstruction or just a few dental procedures?

If you have multiple failing, missing, or severely damaged teeth — especially if they affect your bite, jaw function, or bone levels — a full reconstruction plan may be more appropriate than treating each tooth in isolation. An oral surgeon and your general dentist can evaluate your situation together and recommend a coordinated approach.

Can full mouth reconstruction be done in one appointment?

Rarely in its entirety. Because reconstruction involves multiple procedures and healing phases, most patients work through a staged plan spanning several months. However, certain procedures like extractions and bone grafting can often be combined in a single surgical visit to minimize total downtime.

Is full mouth reconstruction painful?

Surgical procedures at West Valley OMS are performed under IV sedation, so you will not feel discomfort during treatment. Post-operative soreness is managed with prescription or over-the-counter medications and typically subsides within a week for most procedures. Our team provides detailed recovery guidance so you know exactly what to expect.

Does insurance cover full mouth reconstruction?

Coverage depends on your plan and the specific procedures involved. Dental insurance typically covers a portion of extractions and may contribute to implants. Medical insurance sometimes covers procedures tied to trauma, medically necessary jaw surgery, or documented systemic conditions. Our team reviews your benefits at the consultation and helps you understand out-of-pocket costs before you commit to treatment.

How long do the results of full mouth reconstruction last?

Dental implants, when properly placed and maintained, are designed to last a lifetime. Crowns, bridges, and prosthetics typically last ten to twenty years with good oral hygiene and regular dental visits. The investment in reconstruction is significant — but so is the durability of the outcome compared to repeatedly patching failing teeth.