Three specialists, one office, one coordinated plan. Board-certified periodontist Dr. Ahn, prosthodontist Dr. Lu, and cosmetic dentist Dr. Filipenka collaborate on every full mouth reconstruction case. Santa Ana patients reach our Costa Mesa studio in about 10 minutes via Bristol St or the 55 Freeway.
Full mouth reconstruction is a comprehensive treatment process that rebuilds or replaces most or all of the teeth in both the upper and lower jaws, restoring function, health, and aesthetics simultaneously. Unlike a cosmetic smile makeover, which enhances the appearance of teeth that are structurally sound, full mouth reconstruction addresses underlying problems that compromise the ability to chew, speak, and maintain oral health. It is indicated when the cumulative effects of decay, periodontal disease, tooth loss, wear, trauma, or failed dental work have left the dentition in a state where individual repairs are no longer sufficient and a coordinated, comprehensive approach is required.
The scope of a full mouth reconstruction varies from patient to patient. Some cases involve placing crowns on every remaining tooth to restore a collapsed bite. Others require extracting hopeless teeth, grafting bone, placing dental implants, and fabricating full-arch prosthetics from scratch. What distinguishes full mouth reconstruction from piecemeal dental work is the integrated treatment plan: every procedure is sequenced to build upon the previous one, and the final result is designed as a unified system where the teeth, gums, bone, jaw joints, and muscles all function in harmony.
At The Loft Dental Studio, full mouth reconstruction is planned and executed by a tri-specialist team that brings together complementary areas of expertise under one roof. This collaborative model eliminates the fragmented care that patients often experience when they are sent to multiple offices for different components of their treatment, and it ensures that every decision, from implant positioning to crown contour to gum aesthetics, is made with the complete picture in mind.
Full mouth reconstruction draws on skills from multiple dental disciplines. The quality of the result depends directly on the expertise of the providers involved. At The Loft Dental Studio, three specialists collaborate on every comprehensive case, each contributing the depth of training that their specialty demands.
The practical benefit of this arrangement is significant. When all three specialists are in the same office, treatment planning happens in real-time conversation rather than through referral letters. Dr. Ahn can position an implant with the exact prosthetic requirements that Dr. Lu has specified, because they discuss the case together before surgery. Dr. Filipenka can evaluate whether minor orthodontic movement would improve the alignment before crowns are designed, rather than discovering the issue after the restorations are already fabricated. This level of coordination produces results that are more precise, more predictable, and completed faster than when the same procedures are performed by providers in separate offices who communicate through written notes and phone calls.
One Office, Zero Referral Delays: Patients undergoing full mouth reconstruction at other practices are often referred to an outside oral surgeon for implants, a separate periodontist for gum work, and back to the general dentist for crowns. Each referral introduces scheduling delays, potential miscommunication, and logistical burden for the patient. At The Loft Dental Studio, the surgical foundation and the prosthetic superstructure are planned and delivered by the same collaborative team in the same location. This integrated approach shortens total treatment time and ensures seamless coordination at every step.
Full mouth reconstruction is not a single procedure but a treatment philosophy applied when the scope of dental problems exceeds what individual repairs can address. The following situations are among the most common reasons Santa Ana area patients seek comprehensive reconstruction.
Thorough planning is the foundation of every successful full mouth reconstruction. At The Loft Dental Studio, the diagnostic and planning phase is comprehensive, detailed, and collaborative.
Your initial evaluation includes a complete periodontal assessment (probing depths, gum health, bone levels around every tooth), evaluation of each tooth's structural integrity and restorability, bite analysis to assess the jaw relationship and identify any joint or muscle dysfunction, and a thorough review of your dental and medical history. This examination typically takes 60 to 90 minutes and involves all three specialists reviewing your condition from their respective areas of expertise.
CBCT (cone beam computed tomography) 3D imaging provides a detailed view of the jawbone, sinus anatomy, nerve locations, and the roots of all remaining teeth. This imaging is essential for planning implant positions, assessing bone grafting needs, and identifying any pathology that may not be visible on standard X-rays. Digital impressions or intraoral scans capture the precise shape of the existing teeth and soft tissue architecture.
Using the diagnostic data, Dr. Lu and Dr. Filipenka design the ideal tooth arrangement, considering the proportions, alignment, color, and relationship of the teeth to the gum line, lips, and facial features. A diagnostic wax-up or digital simulation creates a three-dimensional preview of the proposed final result. This design serves as the blueprint for every surgical and restorative step that follows. Patients can see and approve the proposed outcome before any treatment begins.
The treatment plan is organized into phases, each with a clear purpose, timeline, and set of procedures. The phases are sequenced so that foundation work (periodontal treatment, extractions, bone grafting, implant placement) is completed and healed before restorative work (crowns, bridges, prosthetics) begins. This sequencing ensures that every restoration is placed on a healthy, stable foundation and that the final result is built to last.
The first phase addresses the biological foundation. Dr. Ahn treats any active periodontal disease to eliminate infection and stabilize the gum tissue and bone. Teeth that cannot be saved are extracted, and bone grafts are placed where needed to rebuild areas of bone loss. Dental implants are positioned according to the prosthetic plan developed by Dr. Lu, ensuring that each implant is in the ideal location to support the planned restoration. Crown lengthening may be performed on teeth that need more exposed structure for proper crown placement. This phase may span several months, as bone grafts and implants require healing time before they can bear the load of permanent restorations.
Once the foundation is healed, Dr. Lu fabricates provisional (temporary) restorations that rebuild the teeth to the planned dimensions. These temporaries are not simple placeholders. They are carefully crafted to test the new bite position, evaluate the aesthetics, and allow the jaw joints and muscles to adapt to the restored vertical dimension. Patients wear the provisionals for several weeks to months, during which adjustments are made based on comfort, function, and appearance. This trial period is one of the most valuable aspects of full mouth reconstruction because it allows both the patient and the dental team to refine the design before committing to permanent materials.
After the provisional phase confirms that the bite, function, and aesthetics are correct, Dr. Lu fabricates the permanent restorations. These are typically made from high-strength ceramic, zirconia, or porcelain-fused-to-metal depending on the location and functional demands of each tooth. Implant-supported restorations are connected to the healed implants. Natural teeth receive their final crowns. The entire set of restorations is delivered and adjusted over one to two appointments, transforming the provisional result into a permanent, durable, and beautiful dentition. Dr. Filipenka ensures the final aesthetic details, including tooth shade, surface texture, and gum line harmony, meet the patient's expectations.
Full mouth reconstruction is not about placing as many crowns and implants as possible. It is about understanding what went wrong with the original dentition, correcting the underlying causes, and rebuilding a system that will function well for decades. Every case we treat begins with a question: why did this mouth reach this point? If the answer is periodontal disease, we treat the disease before placing a single crown. If the answer is a destructive bite pattern, we correct the bite relationship before rebuilding the teeth. If the answer is inadequate bone, we graft the bone before placing implants. Skipping these foundational steps is the most common reason full mouth reconstructions fail at other practices. Our tri-specialist model exists to ensure that nothing is overlooked and that every phase of the reconstruction is executed by the provider best trained to deliver it.
Our tri-specialist team provides comprehensive evaluation and a detailed treatment plan for Santa Ana area patients considering full mouth reconstruction.
Call (714) 549-7030The Loft Dental Studio employs advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies that improve the precision, predictability, and comfort of full mouth reconstruction.
The cost of full mouth reconstruction depends entirely on the specific procedures required. Below are typical ranges for the individual components that may be part of a reconstruction plan.
While no dental insurance plan covers the entire cost of a full mouth reconstruction as a single benefit, many individual components are partially covered under PPO plans. Crowns, periodontal surgery, implants (under some plans), bone grafting, and extractions each have their own benefit category. Our administrative team works with your insurance provider to maximize your benefits across all applicable categories and provides a detailed breakdown of estimated coverage before treatment begins.
PPO Plans We Accept: Delta Dental, Cigna, MetLife, Guardian, Aetna, United Healthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Because treatment is delivered in phases over several months, costs are spread across the treatment timeline rather than required upfront as a single sum. We offer additional financing through CareCredit, including extended payment plans and interest-free options for qualifying patients. FSA and HSA funds are accepted for all procedures. Visit our Insurance & Payment page for complete details.
The Loft Dental Studio is located in the South Coast Metro area of Costa Mesa, about 10 minutes from central Santa Ana. Our office at 3151 Airway Ave, Suite F-103 is easily reached by car.
Head south on Bristol Street from downtown Santa Ana. Continue through the South Coast Plaza area. Turn right onto Airway Avenue. Our office is in the professional complex at Suite F-103 on the left. This direct route takes approximately 10 minutes.
Take the CA-55 (Costa Mesa Freeway) south from Santa Ana. Exit at Baker Street and turn west. Turn left onto Airway Avenue. The office will be on your right. This route is approximately 10 minutes and can be faster when Bristol Street has heavy traffic.
Full mouth reconstruction typically takes 6 to 18 months depending on the complexity of the case and the procedures required. Simple cases involving crowns and veneers without implants may be completed in 3 to 6 months. Cases that require periodontal treatment, bone grafting, implant placement, and healing time before final prosthetics are placed generally fall in the 9 to 18 month range. The treatment is delivered in phases so that each stage of healing is complete before the next procedure begins. Throughout the process, you will have functional and aesthetic temporary restorations so you are never without teeth. Dr. Ahn, Dr. Lu, and Dr. Filipenka develop a detailed timeline during the planning phase so you know what to expect at every stage.
Full mouth reconstruction is almost always completed in stages, and for good reason. Each phase of treatment requires healing time before the next can begin. The foundation phase addresses periodontal disease, removes hopeless teeth, places bone grafts, and positions dental implants. Implants require 3 to 6 months to osseointegrate (fuse with the bone) before they can support permanent restorations. The restorative phase involves fabricating and placing temporary restorations that allow you to test-drive the new bite position, tooth shape, and aesthetics before committing to the final result. The final phase replaces the temporaries with permanent crowns, bridges, or implant prosthetics crafted from high-strength ceramic or zirconia. This staged approach ensures each component has a solid foundation and that the final result meets your functional and aesthetic expectations.
A smile makeover is primarily cosmetic. It focuses on improving the appearance of healthy teeth through procedures like veneers, whitening, and gum contouring. The underlying bite, jaw relationship, and structural integrity of the teeth are generally sound. Full mouth reconstruction is a comprehensive treatment that addresses both function and aesthetics when the dentition has significant structural, functional, or health problems. It is indicated when there are multiple missing teeth, severely worn or broken teeth, bite collapse, failed prior dental work, active periodontal disease, or jaw joint problems. Full mouth reconstruction rebuilds the foundation, restores proper bite mechanics, replaces missing teeth, and then creates an aesthetic result on top of that foundation. It requires a diagnostic and treatment planning process that goes far beyond what a cosmetic makeover involves.
Full mouth reconstruction costs vary widely depending on the specific procedures required, ranging from $15,000 to $80,000 or more for comprehensive cases. A case involving crowns on most teeth without implants will be on the lower end, while a case requiring multiple implants, bone grafting, periodontal surgery, and full-arch prosthetics will be on the higher end. At The Loft Dental Studio, we provide a detailed treatment plan with itemized costs after your comprehensive evaluation. Many individual components of full mouth reconstruction, such as crowns, periodontal surgery, and implants, are partially covered by PPO dental insurance. We also offer financing through CareCredit and accept FSA and HSA funds. The phased treatment approach also allows costs to be spread over the treatment timeline rather than paid all at once.
Yes, absolutely. You will never be without functional, presentable teeth at any point during your full mouth reconstruction. Temporary restorations are a critical part of the treatment process, not just a placeholder. Dr. Lu fabricates provisional crowns, bridges, or dentures that restore your ability to chew, speak, and smile confidently while the underlying foundation work heals. These temporaries also serve as a diagnostic tool. They allow you and the dental team to evaluate the proposed bite position, tooth shape, size, and color before the permanent restorations are fabricated. Adjustments to the temporaries can be made easily, ensuring that the final result has been tested and approved before it is committed to permanent materials.
Full mouth reconstruction involves procedures that span multiple dental specialties: periodontal surgery, implant placement, bone grafting, prosthodontics, and cosmetic dentistry. While a single general dentist may offer all of these services, each specialist on our team has completed years of additional residency training focused exclusively on their area of expertise. Dr. Ahn brings three years of specialized surgical training in implants, bone grafting, and periodontal procedures. Dr. Lu brings advanced prosthodontic training in complex bite reconstruction, crown and bridge design, and implant prosthetics. Dr. Filipenka brings orthodontic training that informs tooth alignment and cosmetic planning. When these specialists collaborate on a single case, the treatment plan benefits from the combined depth of knowledge that no single provider can match. Having all three specialists under one roof also eliminates the delays, miscommunication, and logistical challenges that arise when patients are referred between separate offices.