There are many reasons you may need a full mouth reconstruction, including cancer, trauma to the face or teeth, and infections. Whether it’s for aesthetic or functional purposes, it is often required to restore your smile or eat comfortably. However, there are several things to know before undergoing this complicated procedure.
What Is It?
It involves removing all of the neighboring tissue and bone from one side of the face to provide a new jawbone. The bone is then transplanted to the other side of the face, restoring your normal facial structure. The surrounding skin is then enabled to cover over the surgical entry point, and you’ll be able to move your jaw normally. In some cases, a previously removed bone is placed back into your face to provide you with the most normal results possible.
What are Its Common Types
The first step in planning it is choosing between an anterior or posterior approach. An anterior approach involves replacing your teeth’ upper and lower arches, while the posterior approach focuses on replacing your lower jawbone.
If you aren’t prepared to lose some of your natural teeth, you may want to consider a partial mouth reconstruction instead. With a partial mouth reconstruction, only one side of your face is updated. To restore the other side, you’ll need a second surgery at a later date.
How Long do I Need to Be in the Hospital?
Several things affect the length of sleep you’ll need after a reconstruction. First, if you can get more rest than normal, it can help speed up the healing process. On the other hand, increased rest can risk your health and quality of life later on.
Your new face will also be swollen for several weeks after surgery. To help with this swelling, it’s common to be prescribed medications. These can include pain medication or sedatives that may cause you to float in and out of sleep.
How Long Can I Expect to Be Pain-Free?
Normally, full mouth reconstruction surgery is considered a short procedure that is finished in about two days. However, some patients report having problematic healing for months afterward. This may be due to the added tissue on their face, including skin, muscles, and nerves. These extra layers of tissue can cause swelling, pain, and bruising for weeks after surgery.
How Long Will My Face Be Painful?
It’s normal for your face to be sore and swollen immediately after surgery. This could last for up to six weeks as your body heals from the procedure. During this time, you may find yourself unable to work or eat normally. On the other hand, there are many ways to treat your soreness to help you get through this difficult time.
First, over-the-counter pain medications can be taken directly after surgery if you aren’t experiencing any bleeding or pain. As swelling and pain build up, it’s recommended that you take anti-inflammatory medications instead. These may also help reduce your swelling and bruising.
To protect against swelling, it’s important to elevate your head and apply ice packs to your face. To help relieve your pain, you can use hot compresses several times a day. You can also soak in a warm bath and use a heating pad on your face at night.
What are the Health Risks Associated?
As with any surgery, full mouth reconstruction comes with both risks and rewards. The first risk is losing more or less of your natural teeth than you are prepared for after the procedure. While there’s nothing you can do to change this risk, determining what kind of recovery time you can expect ahead of time can be liberating.
The second risk involves your everyday life after surgery. Many patients experience damage to their teeth and gums, preventing them from eating their favorite foods. If this occurs while you are unable to work, it could negatively affect your income. In addition, if you are unable to work, you may need to apply for a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or food stamp program. These types of benefits help with daily living expenses.
What is the Possible Cost?
Its cost can vary widely depending on your condition and the type of surgery performed. Since there are many variables, the best way to determine your cost is to get free, no-obligation quotes from several surgeons. You can start comparing quotes by filling out the simple form located on this page.
Conclusion
Although it is a complicated procedure, it can make a huge difference in your life. By removing surrounding tissue and bone from one side of your face, you can replace the material with a new jawbone. You’ll also have to replace any missing teeth with implants or dentures.
