After any sort of restorative treatment, you can expect your dentist to give you some instructions for recovery. However, full mouth reconstruction is unique in that it consists of multiple personalized treatments. As such, the recovery process will vary from patient to patient. The following post can give you an idea of what to expect after some of the most common full mouth reconstruction procedures.
Crowns and Bridges
A customized crown can be used to repair and protect damaged teeth; a bridge, meanwhile, fills in any gaps in your smile. Most patients can return to their normal activities in less than a day after receiving these restorations, but sometimes they might experience sensitivity that lasts for a few weeks. If this happens to you, you can manage the discomfort with over-the-counter medication. You should try to stay away from cold or hot foods until the sensitivity has subsided.
Root Canal Therapy
With root canal therapy, your dentist can stop the pain caused by infected dental pulp and potentially help you avoid tooth extraction. Most of the time, you should only need a few days to recover from the treatment. You can reduce any swelling or inflammation around the treatment area by holding a cold pack to your face. Plan on only eating soft foods until your mouth feels well enough to chew heartier meals again.
Tooth Extraction
Extracting a tooth is only considered necessary if there’s no way to salvage it. It will take about 3 to 4 weeks for your mouth to fully heal after the procedure, but you should be able to resume your regular activities after two to three days in most cases. Any discomfort should only last about three to five days; if you’re using pain medication, make sure that you’re following the instructions carefully.
Dental Implants
A dental implant allows you to replace both the roots and crowns of a missing tooth for a smile that looks and feels natural. It takes about three to six months for dental implants to fuse with the jawbone. During that time, you need to stick to a soft food diet and take whatever steps are necessary to protect your dental implant posts. You should get in the habit of rinsing with lukewarm salt water multiple times a day; this helps protect your grin from infection.
Your dentist can give you more details about the recovery process for each step of your full mouth reconstruction once you’ve decided on a plan. Get in touch with your practice today to schedule your initial consultation. No matter what kind of shape your oral health is in, a brilliant, complete smile could still be within your reach.
About the Author
Dr. M. Kent Smith is Edmond’s trusted dentist. With over 30 years of experience, he can help patients of all ages restore their smiles. Thanks to the wide array of services his office provides, including root canal therapy and lifelike dental crowns, he offers comprehensive full mouth reconstructions that can restore the health and appearance of your grin. To schedule an appointment, visit his website or call (405) 341-7773.