A full mouth reconstruction is a long, intensive process that is used to fully restore your entire smile. It is usually recommended for patients for whom the majority or all of their teeth are damaged, decayed or otherwise no longer functional or attractive and involves an entire, personalized treatment plan that addresses those issues that are affecting your mouth and teeth. The goal of a full mouth reconstruction is to restore the oral health of the patient, as well as the function and appearance of their smile.
Some of the procedures that can be included in a full mouth reconstruction are fairly quick and straightforward and can be completed in just one visit to your dentist’s office. However, if you need more complex treatment, this could take place over a number of different appointments. Your personalized treatment plan will be created with your best interests in mind, ensuring that work is carried out in the best way to ensure that your care is as satisfying as possible.
Since a full mouth reconstruction is catered to the specific needs of the individual patient, no two treatment plans will be the same. This also means that your recovery may vary from that of others, depending on the type of procedures that have formed a part of your full mouth reconstruction. Here’s what you need to know about what to expect from recovery from some of the most common aspects of a full mouth construction.
Recovery from fillings, crowns, and bridges
Fillings, crowns, and bridges are amongst the simplest restorative treatments involved in a full mouth reconstruction. They are most often used when teeth are moderate to severely damaged or decayed. These treatments are minimally invasive, and this means that recovery time is fairly short. In the case of fillings, you will be able to return to eating and drinking as usual the same day. The same can be said for crowns and bridges, but these require several appointments to place and in between them, you will be fitted with a temporary restoration so that you can continue to eat and drink as normal. Any discomfort resulting from your treatments can be alleviated using over the counter pain relief and shouldn’t last more than 24 hours.
Recovering following root canal therapy
Root canal therapy has a bad reputation, but it is never as unpleasant as people expect. It is necessary when bacteria penetrate the pulp of the tooth and is the only way to save it, otherwise, loss or extraction is guaranteed. The bacteria are cleaned out and the tooth is covered with a crown. You’ll be given local anesthetic ahead of your root canal, and it may be possible for you to be sedated if you are very nervous. Again, this procedure takes place over two appointments. However, recovery time is minimal, and most patients return to work and eating/drinking as usual within 24-48 hours of their appointment.
Recovery after dental implants
Dental implants are a very popular and effective way to replace missing teeth. What makes them different from other solutions is that they have an artificial root that is implanted into the jaw itself. The bone of the jaw then heals around the post to secure it permanently in place. The visible element of the tooth is then attached to it using a special connector. This is usually made from a porcelain crown, although bridges and dentures can also be attached to implant posts. The dental implant procedure takes place over several appointments and since it is a surgical process, you will need to take some time to heal. The initial period of healing is around two to four months but varies between patients. Once the implant posts have been placed, it is not unusual for patients to feel mild discomfort for up to a week. This can usually be managed sufficiently using over the counter pain relief.
Surgical procedures
There are several different types of surgery that may be needed as part of a full mouth reconstruction, such as extractions or surgery to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Like dental implants and root canal treatment, these are usually performed using local anesthetic and sedation may be a possibility. You will be given very specific information on what to expect from your recovery based on the type of procedure that you have undergone.
A full mouth reconstruction is a highly personalized treatment. To discuss this in greater detail, or to schedule a consultation to discuss your dental requirements, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our expert team.