Full Mouth Reconstruction in Atlanta

Full mouth reconstruction is the most complex case in dentistry. It requires rebuilding the bite from the foundation up, coordinating multiple procedures in the right sequence, and making decisions that cannot be undone. The outcome depends entirely on who is directing the case.

Dr. Cary Goldstein has been doing this specific work since 1986. Not as part of a general practice. Not as a specialty added to a broader service menu. He is a prosthodontist trained at USC, a professor who trains other prosthodontists at the Dental College of Georgia, and the dentist Atlanta’s other specialists refer their most complex cases to.

What Full Mouth Reconstruction Involves

No two full mouth reconstruction plans are identical. The combination of procedures depends on the condition of your teeth, gums, jaw, and bite, and on what you want to achieve. Dr. Goldstein begins with a thorough diagnostic workup: photographs, impressions, digital imaging, and a detailed clinical examination. From that foundation, he builds a sequenced treatment plan that addresses the underlying issues first, then the restorative and cosmetic work.

Common elements of full mouth reconstruction include crowns, bridges, and periodontal treatment. In cases involving missing teeth or bone loss, Dr. Goldstein coordinates with specialist oral surgeons and periodontists for implant placement and bone grafting. Dr. Goldstein manages the overall treatment plan and the final outcome. The surgical work is handled by specialists he trusts and has worked with directly for years.

Implants are often the foundation of full mouth reconstruction, but the implant placement itself is only one piece of the case. For a detailed look at the implant process specifically, see our dental implants page.

Forty Years, One Specialty

Courts ask Dr. Goldstein to assess cases where dental reconstruction went wrong. He reviews what was planned, what was done, and where the standard of care was not met. That is not a credential any diploma program awards. It reflects the judgment of a legal system that has to determine what the right answer was. After nearly forty years on cases this complex, he knows what failure looks like, and that perspective shapes every treatment plan he builds.

Since 1992, Dr. Goldstein has served at the Dental College of Georgia, first as Clinical Instructor in Oral Rehabilitation and now as Professor. When dentists in Atlanta and across Georgia learn to manage cases like yours, they come to him. His election as International President of the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry in 2020 reflects the same standing: the AAED is a selective, peer-elected body, and the field chose him to lead it. He has lectured at more than 100 continuing education events worldwide and has been recognized on the Top Dentist Atlanta list every year since 2017.

There are other prosthodontists in Atlanta. The difference is depth: nearly forty years exclusively on complex cases, a teaching appointment at the Dental College of Georgia, and peer recognition that runs from the AAED presidency to expert witness appointments in malpractice courts. He does not promise a transformation. He builds something that lasts.

How Dr. Goldstein Runs a Case

When the case requires surgical work, Dr. Goldstein refers that component to the specialist who does only that work: implant placement to an oral surgeon, periodontal surgery to a periodontist. He manages the overall treatment plan and owns the final result. This is not a limitation. It is how cases this complex should be run. The prosthodontist’s job is to direct the case and hold the outcome. The specialist’s job is to execute their piece of it correctly.

He describes his role as the quarterback of the treatment team. For complex cases, he prepares a detailed treatment letter outlining each phase and its sequence. That letter goes to the patient and to every specialist involved, so everyone is working from the same plan. His front office team coordinates all specialist appointments throughout the process.

Most patients move through a predictable sequence:

  1. Consultation and Diagnosis: Dr. Goldstein reviews your dental and medical history and takes new diagnostic records as needed: a comprehensive oral exam, digital X-rays, and 3D scanning where the case requires it. He walks you through what he finds, explains your treatment options, and covers the pros and cons of each approach, including cost. There are no vague estimates and no pressure. You leave with a clear picture of what the work involves before committing to anything.
  2. Treatment Planning: A sequenced plan is developed, coordinating all procedures in the correct order. If specialists outside the practice are involved (oral surgery, periodontics), those referrals are coordinated from here.
  3. Treatment: Restorations are completed in stages. Foundational work (extractions, grafting, implant placement, periodontal treatment) comes first. Definitive restorations follow once the foundation is stable.
  4. Final Restoration and Maintenance: Final crowns, bridges, or full-arch prosthetics are placed and adjusted for fit, bite, and aesthetics. A maintenance protocol is established to protect the investment long-term.

Investment and Financing

Full mouth reconstruction is a significant investment. The cost varies depending on the number of teeth involved, the procedures required, and the materials selected. Cases involving multiple implants, bone grafting, and full-arch porcelain restorations carry higher costs than cases involving crowns and bridgework alone.

Full mouth reconstruction cases at Goldstein Dental Center typically range from $25,000 to $45,000 per arch, depending on the scope of the case and the procedures involved. Every case is priced for the actual work required. Dr. Goldstein provides detailed treatment plans with itemized costs before any treatment begins. There are no surprises mid-case.

Goldstein Dental Center offers financing through CareCredit, a third-party financing company that provides interest-free and low-interest payment plans. For patients managing the cost of a comprehensive case, financing options are available and the team can walk you through what applies to your situation at your consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What conditions typically require full mouth reconstruction?

Full mouth reconstruction is the right approach when multiple teeth are affected and the problems are structural, not just cosmetic. Common conditions include severe wear from grinding or acid erosion, multiple missing teeth, bite collapse where the upper teeth bite too far down over the lower, severe decay affecting most of the teeth, significant enamel loss from erosion or a congenital condition, and traumatic injury to the mouth. Some patients also pursue full mouth reconstruction to restore all of their teeth at once, functionally and aesthetically, using a combination of crowns, veneers, and other restorations. If several of these conditions apply to your situation, a consultation will clarify what combination of treatments makes sense.

How long does full mouth reconstruction take?

The timeline depends on the complexity of your case. Cases involving implants and bone grafting require healing time between stages and typically span up to 12 months from start to final restoration. Cases involving crowns, bridges, and other non-surgical work can often be completed in a shorter window, 2 to 5 months. Dr. Goldstein will give you a realistic timeline at your consultation, based on your specific situation.

What is the difference between full mouth reconstruction and a smile makeover?

A smile makeover is primarily cosmetic: veneers, whitening, reshaping. It is the right answer when your teeth are structurally healthy and your goal is aesthetic. Full mouth reconstruction addresses structural and functional problems: a broken-down bite, missing teeth, failing restorations, bone loss. The two are different categories of care. If you are not certain which applies to your situation, a consultation is the fastest way to find out.

Do I need a referral to see Dr. Goldstein?

No. Many patients are referred by their general dentist when a case exceeds the scope of general practice, but you do not need a referral. You can contact the practice directly to schedule a consultation.

Is full mouth reconstruction covered by insurance?

Coverage depends on your plan. Procedures classified as medically necessary (such as extractions, implants following tooth loss, and some restorations) may be partially covered. Cosmetic components typically are not. The practice has a dedicated insurance coordinator who verifies your coverage before treatment begins, so you will have a clear picture of what your plan is likely to cover before any work starts.

What is a prosthodontist, and why does it matter for full mouth reconstruction?

A prosthodontist is a dental specialist with postgraduate training focused specifically on the restoration and replacement of teeth. General dentists can perform some restorative work, but complex full-arch cases, where the bite, bone, and multiple teeth are all involved, are what prosthodontics was designed for. Dr. Goldstein has practiced as a prosthodontist since 1986 and has taught the specialty at the Dental College of Georgia for more than thirty years.

Can full mouth reconstruction fix my bite?

Yes. Bite correction is often a central goal of full mouth reconstruction, particularly in cases where years of wear or tooth loss have caused the bite to collapse. Dr. Goldstein evaluates jaw function and occlusion as part of the initial diagnosis, and bite restoration is built into the treatment plan from the start.

What happens if I do nothing?

Dental problems of this scale do not stabilize on their own. Missing teeth cause bone loss. A broken-down bite causes additional wear. Failing restorations create conditions for decay and infection. The longer the delay, the more complex and costly the treatment becomes. The consultation is the right starting point: it gives you the full picture before you make any decisions.

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Full mouth reconstruction is a significant decision. The first step is a consultation with Dr. Goldstein: a thorough examination, a clear diagnosis, and a treatment plan you can evaluate before committing to anything. You will leave with a real picture of what the work involves and what it costs.

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