The Full Mouth Reconstruction procedure is a complex and invasive surgical technique. It reconstructs the patient’s mouth to produce a more natural smile. The surgery involves extracting all or part of the upper and lower teeth, then replacing them with implants. It will take how long to recover, including physical therapy sessions and dental work, before the full function returns. This blog post talks about what patients can expect after this type of surgery.

There are many steps involved in the recovery process. It includes physical therapy sessions and dental work before the full function returns. Many procedures need to be completed before a patient can even begin physical therapy. So that their mouth or head back into receiving their teeth again. Before gaining access to one’s teeth, there will be an evaluation appointment with the dentist where they will evaluate how your mouth has been restoring itself since the surgery was performed. From here, they determine if you have healed enough to receive your post-operative dentures/crowns/bridges.

If so, you will be scheduled to pick up the appliances, and you’ll begin your oral rehabilitation. If not, you’ll need to wait a little longer and re-evaluate following another week or so of recovery time. Before making an appointment for specific follow-up, work with dental specialists who will assess if it is possible based on how much movement has occurred within the bone structure of your mouth. Since surgery was performed, recovery can take several months.

In some cases, patients are required by their insurance provider(s) to complete physical therapy sessions. That is before receiving any post-procedure care. That includes access to one’s teeth that have been replaced during surgery. And head back into seeing the specialist for follow-up visits. If physical therapy sessions are not required, then only those who receive this type of rehabilitation know that it’s beneficial in the long run. The reason being these treatments can be very successful at restoring one’s mouth to its full function, with an improved range of motion which means greater comfort while speaking, eating, and so on.

Physical Therapy Sessions

Once a patient has gained access to their customized post-operative dentures and has been fitted. Then they’re scheduled for their first round of physical therapy appointments. If applicable through their insurance provider(s). During this time frame, a specialist will perform x-rays (including panoramic and close-up photos of their mouth). Which will track how well everything is restoring itself within the bone structure of one’s jaw.

To begin, they first perform a baseline assessment where they take measurements including:

• Lip closure strength and endurance on each side of the face. Also, total lip/mouth pressure from both upper and lower lips is being pressed together.
• Tongue elevation strength with resistance against gravity using gauze that has been attached. Which scale determines what percentage of force can be applied before tissue slides away from the said device.
• Tongue tip elevation strength with resistance against gravity is like that mentioned before. It uses gauze taped onto a scale for this assessment process.

For proper recovery after the Full Mouth Reconstruction procedure, you should follow all doctor’s instructions and those a specialist gives. Also, adhere to taking prescribed pain medication and antibiotics for at least five days post-surgery. Or until you are no longer in any discomfort.

Refraining from eating hard foods during this period will also help with the healing process. It would be advisable not to do any activity that requires strenuous physical movement since it can increase the chances of bleeding or swelling, such as going up and down. Also, exerting yourself too much physically, either indoors or outdoors, is not recommended.

Mundane activities like showering using over-the-counter soap could irritate open sores. So it’s best to hold off on taking a shower until the surgical wounds have fully healed. It is also important that you do not smoke or consume alcohol during this period since both can increase the risk of infection and interfere with the healing process.

Conclusion

Recovery after this procedure is a long process that takes several months to return to normal function. Like smoking and drinking alcohol, eating hard foods such as candy bars and nuts should also be avoided. For at least 21 days after surgery while staying away from all activities that may cause bleeding. Or swelling, then prolong the recovery time.

Author name– Alison Lurie