What Kind Of Dentist Does Full Mouth Reconstruction?

Full mouth reconstruction can be done by general dentists, including those who focus on cosmetic work, and by prosthodontists, the dental specialists in restoring and replacing teeth. In a complex case, it also helps to ask who is on the team. One dentist often leads the plan, while others handle their part.

A title tells you something about training. Case experience and careful planning tell you more about how a dentist approaches this work, and you can ask about all three.

Prosthodontist, cosmetic dentist or general dentist.

A prosthodontist is a specialist. According to the American College of Prosthodontists, a prosthodontist has finished dental school plus at least three more years in an accredited prosthodontic program. Prosthodontics is one of the 12 specialties recognized by the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards.

Cosmetic dentistry is not on that list. A cosmetic dentist is a dentist who has chosen to focus on how teeth look, and the training behind the title varies. We explain how to read those credentials in how to choose a cosmetic dentist in Beverly Hills.

A general dentist can also plan and complete a full mouth reconstruction. General dentists are not specialists, and their additional training varies, so it is fair to ask about it.

Complex cases are often a team.

The American College of Prosthodontists says in its page on full mouth reconstruction that often, a team of professionals works together. Depending on the case, that team may include:

• The restorative lead, who plans the case and places the final crowns or veneers.
• A periodontist, the specialist in the gums and bone that hold teeth in place, who may also place implants.
• An oral and maxillofacial surgeon, for extractions and more involved surgery.
• An orthodontist, when teeth need to be moved first.
• A dental anesthesiologist, a dentist trained in managing pain and anxiety during treatment. Dental anesthesiology is also a recognized specialty.
• A lab ceramist, who builds the restorations from the dentist’s plan.

When several people work on one mouth, someone has to own the whole result. Ask who that is.

At Perfect White Smile, full mouth rehabilitation is an involved process. Dr. David Frey, DDS, handles much of it himself, and he can bring in the periodontists, oral surgeons and endodontists who work with the practice. Our team also includes a board certified periodontist, a board certified dental anesthesiologist who oversees IV sedation on site, and a master ceramist. You can read about each of them on our team page.

Why the bite matters as much as the teeth.

Your bite is how your upper and lower teeth come together when you close, and a full mouth reconstruction can change every surface where they meet. Sometimes the plan also changes the height of the bite, which can come up when teeth have been heavily worn by grinding.

A 2026 review in the journal Cureus favors a staged approach: temporary teeth, which dentists call provisionals, worn for a period before the final restorations are made. That lets the dentist see how you adapt, and gives you time to judge the look. The authors note that this support comes mainly from expert consensus and observational studies, and that the ideal length is not settled. Suggested periods run from several weeks to several months.

On our full mouth rehabilitation page we describe the first step as a comprehensive dental exam, with Dr. Frey looking at your teeth, gums and bite together. You leave the first major treatment visit wearing a temporary restoration we call your trial smile, and a shorter visit follows to refine it. Timelines vary from patient to patient.

Questions to ask before you commit.

Bring these to any consultation, including ours:

• What is your training, and are you a specialist or a general dentist?
• How many full mouth cases have you completed, and how many were like mine?
• May I see before and after photographs of your own patients?
• Who else will be on the team, and who is responsible for the result as a whole?
• How will you plan and test my new bite before the final restorations are made?
• What are the risks, and what are my other options, including doing less?
• If something feels wrong after the final teeth go in, what happens, and who adjusts it?

Listen for specifics.

Red flags worth a second opinion.

Be cautious if a dentist hands you a finished plan and a fee before anyone has looked closely at your gums and your bite. Be cautious, too, of a plan that changes your bite with no temporary phase to test it. Some cases can move faster, but skipping that step should be a decision someone explains to you.

A promised finish date or a guaranteed result is another warning. So are vague answers about who performs the surgery or who manages the sedation.

A full mouth reconstruction is a long commitment that permanently changes your teeth, and results vary from person to person. There is no reason a plan this large should come with pressure to start at the first visit.

If you are weighing this kind of work, the first step is a conversation and an exam. We can walk you through who would be involved in your case. Schedule A Consultation.

This article is general information, not medical or dental advice, and it is not a substitute for an exam by a licensed dentist. Reading it does not make you a patient of Perfect White Smile. If you have pain, or a symptom that concerns you, contact your dentist or schedule a consultation with Perfect White Smile. If you think you have an emergency, call 911.

Published by Perfect White Smile, the Beverly Hills practice led by Dr. David Frey, DDS. Meet the team.