Full Mouth Reconstruction in Medellín

Full mouth reconstruction isn't a single procedure—it's a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses everything wrong with your teeth at once. Multiple types of work (implants, crowns, veneers, extractions, gum treatment) combined into one coordinated plan. In the US, this routinely costs $50,000-100,000+. In Medellín, you're looking at $15,000-25,000 for comparable work.

Who Needs Full Mouth Reconstruction?

This isn't for someone who needs a filling or two. Full mouth reconstruction is for people dealing with:

• Multiple failing teeth—more than half need major work or extraction
• Severe wear—decades of grinding (bruxism) have worn teeth down
• Advanced gum disease—bone loss and tooth mobility throughout
• Trauma—accident damage to multiple teeth
• Years of neglect—accumulated problems that now require comprehensive treatment
• Failed previous work—old crowns, bridges, and fillings all failing at once
• Bite problems—TMJ issues, collapsed bite, need for complete occlusal rehabilitation

Essentially, if your mouth needs to be rebuilt rather than repaired, that's full mouth reconstruction.

Full Mouth Reconstruction vs. Smile Makeover

These terms get confused. Here's the difference:

Smile Makeover: Primarily cosmetic. Your teeth function fine, but you want them to look better. Veneers, whitening, some crowns. Elective.

Full Mouth Reconstruction: Functionally necessary. Your teeth don't work properly—you can't chew comfortably, you have pain, teeth are failing. May also be cosmetic, but the primary driver is restoring function.

What's Typically Involved

Every case is different, but full mouth reconstruction often includes combinations of:

• Extractions—removing teeth that can't be saved
• Dental implants—replacing missing teeth with permanent fixtures
• Crowns—restoring damaged teeth
• Bridges—replacing gaps
• Veneers—restoring front teeth appearance and function
• Root canals—saving infected teeth
• Gum treatment—scaling and root planing, possibly gum surgery
• Bone grafting—building up bone for implants
• Bite adjustment—establishing a healthy occlusion
• Night guard—protecting the investment from grinding

Sample Case Breakdown

The Process

Phase 1: Comprehensive Evaluation

Before anything happens, you need thorough diagnostics:

• Full mouth X-rays and 3D CT scan
• Photos and impressions
• Gum health assessment
• Bite analysis
• TMJ evaluation
• Discussion of goals and concerns

This can start remotely—send your existing X-rays and photos for a preliminary assessment and quote. But the detailed planning happens on-site.

Phase 2: Foundation Work

Before restoration, underlying issues must be addressed:

• Gum disease treatment
• Extractions of non-savable teeth
• Root canals for teeth that can be saved
• Bone grafting if needed for future implants

Phase 3: Implant Placement (If Needed)

Implants are placed and need 3-6 months to integrate with bone. This often means a second trip.

Phase 4: Restoration

Once the foundation is solid:

• Crowns, veneers, and bridges are placed
• Implant crowns attached (if implants were placed)
• Bite is refined and adjusted
• Final polishing and finishing

Timeline Expectations

Full mouth reconstruction rarely happens in one trip. Typical scenarios:

Scenario A: No implants needed

• Single trip: 10-14 days
• All extractions, root canals, prep work, and restorations completed

Scenario B: Implants needed, adequate bone

• Trip 1 (10-14 days): Extractions, implant placement, any root canals, temporary restorations
• Healing at home: 4-6 months
• Trip 2 (7-10 days): Final crowns, veneers, and implant restorations

Scenario C: Implants needed, bone grafting required

• Trip 1 (5-7 days): Bone grafts placed
• Healing: 4-6 months
• Trip 2 (7-10 days): Implant placement
• Healing: 4-6 months
• Trip 3 (7-10 days): Final restorations

Complex cases may take 12-18 months from start to finish. This isn't rushed work.

Why Medellín for Complex Cases?

Full mouth reconstruction is exactly where dental tourism savings are most dramatic. Consider:

• At $50,000+ in the US, many people simply can't afford treatment. They live with pain and dysfunction.
• At $15,000-25,000 in Medellín, comprehensive treatment becomes accessible. Even with 2-3 trips, total cost (including travel) is half or less of US prices.
• Quality is comparable: Same implant brands (Straumann, Nobel Biocare), same crown materials (E-max, zirconia), same techniques.
• Dedicated time: Instead of squeezing appointments between work, you're focused entirely on your treatment for 1-2 weeks.

Choosing the Right Provider

For complex reconstruction, provider selection is critical. Look for:

• Prosthodontist leadership—prosthodontists are specialists in complex rehabilitation
• Multi-specialist team—access to periodontist, oral surgeon, endodontist as needed
• In-house lab—better coordination and faster turnaround
• Experience with similar cases—ask for before/after photos of full mouth cases
• Clear treatment phasing—they should explain exactly what happens when
• Realistic timeline—be wary of anyone promising everything in one week

Financing Considerations

Even at Colombian prices, $15,000-25,000 is significant. Options:

• HSA/FSA funds—can be used for dental work abroad
• Payment plans—some clinics offer installment options
• Personal loans—often lower interest than credit cards
• Home equity—for larger amounts, may offer tax advantages
• Care Credit—some clinics accept; others don't

Even if you finance, the total cost is dramatically lower than US treatment.

The Bottom Line

Full mouth reconstruction is life-changing—it restores your ability to eat, speak, and smile without pain or embarrassment. For most Americans, the US cost makes it unattainable. Medellín brings it within reach.

This isn't a decision to make lightly. Get thorough consultations, understand the timeline and phasing, and choose a provider with genuine expertise in complex cases. But know that comprehensive dental rehabilitation is possible, even if it seemed financially impossible before.