With All-on-4 dental implants, you can replace all of your missing teeth at once with just four expertly placed implant posts. Thanks to the state-of-the-art techniques used during the surgery, All-on-4 recovery is usually shorter compared to that of traditional implant procedures. That said, it is important to know what will happen during the healing process. Here are 5 things you should expect after the All-on-4 procedure.
1. You’ll Need to Take Some Time Off to Rest
After any kind of oral surgery, your body will typically need some time to rest. This gives your jawbone and gum tissue a chance to begin the healing process. You will normally need to take a day or two off of work, particularly if you have a job that involves a lot of strenuous activity. You should also avoid any kind of exercise until your dentist says it’s okay.
2. There Will Be Swelling and Bruising
Some of the soft tissues in your mouth will be swollen or bruised after you have dental implants placed. These symptoms are completely normal and will fade on their own over time. If you’re experiencing any discomfort, you can control it with an over-the-counter or prescription pain medication; just make sure that you follow the provided directions carefully.
3. You Will Need to Eat Soft Foods for a While
It will take time for your dental implants to form a strong bond with your jawbone. Until that happens, you’ll need to stick to a diet of soft foods while avoiding hard or crunchy snacks. Good options for soft foods include mashed potatoes, applesauce, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, soft-cooked vegetables, and cold soups. Typically, you’ll need to maintain your soft food diet for about three months, although the exact amount of time varies from patient to patient.
4. You Will Need to Be Careful While Cleaning Your Teeth
Good oral hygiene is essential for All-on-4 recovery, but you need to make sure you don’t disturb the implant posts in the process. Avoid rinsing your mouth with water for the first day after surgery. After that, you can rinse with a salt water solution three times a day to lower your risk for infection. It’s okay to brush your teeth, but be sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush.
5. You Will Have Several Follow-Up Appointments
Your dentist will need to keep a close eye on your dental implants to make sure that the recovery process is going smoothly. As such, you will return to their office several times in the months following the surgery. These visits are a good opportunity to ask your dentist any questions you might have about caring for your implants.
If you’re thinking of getting All-on-4 implants, it’s important for you to be as informed as possible about the process, including recovery. Reach out to your dentist today to schedule a consultation so that you can have your All-on-4 questions answered!
About the Practice
At Advanced Dentistry of Alhambra, our team of dental experts goes above and beyond to make sure you have a positive dental experience whenever you visit us. For patients with extensive tooth loss, we can offer the All-on-4 procedure, which uses just four implant posts to support an entire arch of dazzling new teeth. To schedule an implant consultation with us or to learn more about All-on-4 recovery, visit our website or call (626) 289-6131.