Full mouth reconstructions can commonly involve more extensive procedures, like bone grafting, tooth extractions, soft tissue augmentation, and more. The goal of the service is to create a comprehensive, customized treatment plan to restore the health of your smile as well as its function, and in some cases, that can require surgery. To learn more about what you can expect as you recover from your full mouth reconstruction, read below.
What Exactly is a Full Mouth Reconstruction?
A full mouth reconstruction is a treatment plan designed by you and your dentist to rebuild and restore the health of your smile, addressing most or all dental concerns in one comprehensive process. This can include replacing missing teeth, restoring bone loss as a result of missing teeth, repairing gum damage caused by periodontal disease, and more.
Some of the services that might be included in a full mouth reconstruction include:
- Tooth extractions to prevent future oral health concerns due to wisdom teeth or severe dental damage.
- Bone grafts or sinus lifts to prepare your smile for dental implants.
- Gum graft to replace recessed soft tissue and protect the roots of teeth.
- Dental implant placement to restore missing teeth.
- Other services performed by your general dentist.
What Post-Operative Side-Effects Can You Expect?
The side-effects you can expect will vary based on what services are included in your treatment plan, but your pain level should always be managed as you heal. If it gets worse or you notice excessive bleeding or swelling, never hesitate to contact your oral surgeon or dentist.
Some common side-effects you can expect include:
- Pain and general discomfort
- Swelling and inflammation
- Bleeding
- Jaw stiffness
- Nausea
How Can You Speed Up Your Recovery?
The key to a complication-free recovery is to follow your oral surgeon’s recovery instructions closely. For most of the procedures that could be included in a full mouth reconstruction treatment, the instructions will likely include:
- Using an ice pack (for 10 minutes at a time) to reduce swelling.
- Taking the prescribed or recommended over-the-counter pain medication.
- Eating a soft diet until your mouth has healed enough for you to chew.
- Helping reduce bleeding by placing a clean piece of gauze over the surgical site.
If at any point during your healing process you feel concerned, it’s always better to be safe and contact a professional. Not only will this ease your worries, but it will also help make sure you stay on the right path towards recovery.
While the side-effects of full mouth reconstruction may seem daunting, know that most of the treatments offered will provide you with permanent, life-changing results. Because of this, many patients feel that the payout is well worth the healing process.
About the Practice
At Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial & Implant Surgery, our team is comprised of four highly qualified oral surgeons. With decades of collective experience and a collaborative nature, they’re able to help patients regain healthier, happier smiles by offering a number of restorative surgeries. Call our office at 703-736-1640 or visit our website to schedule a consultation to learn more about full mouth reconstructions and whether you would be a good candidate.