Full Mouth Reconstruction Recovery Timeline
Cavities. Root canal infections. Gum disease. Missing teeth. These are all serious dental conditions that should be treated as soon as possible. Having just one of these dental problems is bad news; if you suffer from more than one of these conditions, full mouth reconstruction can dramatically improve your oral health.
At the practice of Joseph T. Mormino, DDS, we develop and perform full mouth reconstruction treatment plans to improve the health and appearance of your smile. Many patients wonder how long the recovery period will last after undergoing multiple dental procedures. In this blog post, we discuss the full mouth reconstruction recovery timeline so our Staten Island, NY patients know what to expect after treatment.
The First 48 Hours after Treatment
Immediately after your full mouth reconstruction is performed, you will likely be under the effects of local anesthesia and oral conscious sedation.
If you opt to undergo oral conscious sedation, you will need a ride home from your appointment. You may feel drowsy for a few hours after treatment. This is an excellent time to take a nap and relax.
The effects of local anesthesia will also wear off after a few hours. Once the numbing medication is no longer effective, you may experience some discomfort. You may wish to take over-the-counter pain medication before the numbing medication wears off to minimize discomfort.
Pain is typically at its worst in the first 24 to 48 hours after treatment. In addition to taking pain relievers, you can apply an ice compress to the cheeks and jaw to limit discomfort. This can also reduce swelling and bruising.
We also recommend eating soft foods during this time, as the act of chewing can disturb the treatment area and increase pain.
Patients that undergo dental implant surgery may also experience some bleeding in the first 48 hours after treatment. Bite gently on a piece of gauze to absorb and stop the bleeding.
The First Week after Treatment
By one week after full mouth reconstruction, most patients have recovered from any pain, swelling, and bruising that developed. The length of recovery time depends on the procedures that were performed.
Cavity Treatment Recovery
A tooth that was affected by a cavity typically recovers the quickest. A filled or crowned tooth may experience discomfort when exposed to pressure for a couple of days after treatment.
Root Canal Treatment Recovery
A tooth treated with root canal therapy is typically recovered within a week. Patients typically have a temporary crown in place for a week or two. When their custom crown is ready, they can return to our office to have it cemented on the tooth.
Gum Disease Treatment Recovery
Treatment for gum disease may involve root planing and scaling or gum grafting surgery. After these treatments, the gum will be tender for about a week. During this time, patients should consume soft, lukewarm foods that don’t contain small seeds that can get stuck in the healing gum tissue.
Dental Implant Surgery Recovery
Recovery from dental implant surgery takes the longest. The incision that is made in the gums to place the implant typically heals quickly, in about two weeks. However, it takes time for the dental implants to integrate with surrounding gum and bone tissue; this process takes three to six months.
To schedule a full mouth reconstruction consultation, contact the practice of Joseph T. Mormino, DDS.
