Recovering from Full Mouth Reconstruction

If your smile has been ravaged by decay, disease, or missing teeth, full mouth reconstruction treats a multitude of dental problems. Specific restorative procedures are used to address your concerns, like broken or infected teeth. Since every mouth is as unique as fingerprints, the road ahead looks different for everyone, including the recovery process. Here’s what you can expect the road ahead to look like, depending on your treatment plan.

Dental Fillings

Mild to moderate decay can be treated with tooth-colored dental fillings. Generally, it only takes one appointment, and you can resume your regular activities on the same day. However, it may take a couple of hours for any anesthetic to wear off, so you’ll want to be cautious when eating or drinking anything.

Crowns and Bridges

A crown can repair damaged teeth, but it can also be used along with other procedures, like bridges. Often, it requires two appointments to place restorations. Your first visit will involve preparing your teeth and taking impressions for your crowns or bridge. It can take the dental lab a couple of weeks to make them, so you’ll need temporary restorations. Your dentist will provide instructions to protect them until your permanent restorations are ready, like not eating hard or sticky foods. Once your crown or bridge is ready, you’ll return to your dentist to have it bonded in place. You won’t have any restrictions, but you may want to eat softer foods for a couple of days if your mouth is tender.

Root Canal Therapy

A root canal removes the inner layer of the tooth, called the pulp. After the tooth has been cleaned out, it’s sterilized and sealed using gutta-percha. It only requires one appointment to perform the procedure, but you may need a dental crown, too. It’s not unusual to have some sensitivity or inflammation around the tooth, which will subside in a day or two.

Tooth Extraction

Whether simple or surgical, extracting a tooth only takes one appointment. Depending on your situation, your recovery can take up to a week. Most patients can go back to their regular activities in 3 to 5 days. Your dentist will give you specific aftercare instructions, like not drinking through a straw and eating softer foods. You can manage any discomfort with an OTC pain reliever and apply a cold compress for any swelling or bruising. 

Dental Implants

Placing a dental implant occurs in several steps that can take months to complete. Each step of your treatment will have a different recovery time, ranging from a few days to many weeks.

After a brief recovery, you will have the healthy, functional teeth you deserve. You can say goodbye to dental pain with an attractive smile you’ll be proud of.

About Dr. Gina Patrice

Dr. Patrice achieved her dental degree from the University of North Carolina Dental School and has continued extensive continuing education in advanced studies, including oral pathology, full mouth reconstruction, and implant dentistry. If you’re ready to improve your smile, contact our office today to request your consultation with an award-winning dentist.