All-on-4 dental implant treatment is one of the most efficient ways to rebuild a full arch of teeth. In fact, it is so fast that it is sometimes called “Teeth in a Day”! However, it is important to remember that you will still have to go through surgery and a recovery period. What can you expect while recovering from All-on-4 surgery? This blog post gives you a realistic preview of the road ahead.
How Long Does Recovery Take?
Most patients are able to go back to work within a few days of their procedure, though you might need to take more time off if your job involves a lot of physical activity. Some swelling and soreness are likely to linger for a few weeks. After that, your mouth may feel normal, though it can take several months for the bone to completely fuse with your new implants.
How Can You Make Your Recovery Easier?
Your care team will provide detailed post-op instructions to help you keep discomfort to a minimum after your procedure. Following their directions is also vital for reducing your risk of complications. They may advise you to:
- Avoid the use of tobacco products, including cigarettes and chewing tobacco.
- Be very gentle when brushing your teeth.
- Take painkillers as needed to minimize discomfort.
- Do not overindulge in alcohol; you may need to avoid it altogether during the initial part of your recovery period.
- Get enough rest.
What Can You Eat after All-on-4 Surgery?
Even though you will have a new set of teeth, that does not mean you can immediately start eating whatever you want. Putting too much pressure on your prosthetic teeth too fast could cause discomfort and possibly interfere with your body’s osseointegration process. (Osseointegration is the biological means through which your jawbone bonds with dental implants.)
At first, you may need to eat a no chew diet, which can include things like brothy soups, meal replacement shakes, pudding, and mashed potatoes. After several days, you can start to eat a variety of soft foods, such as meatloaf, scrambled eggs, and anything else that is easy to cut with the side of a fork. Once you are fully recovered, you should be able to eat virtually anything with your implants.
What if Something Goes Wrong?
Post-op complications are rare, but they do occur in some cases. If you ever believe that you have an infection or other problems with your new implants, call your care team right away to ask for guidance. The earlier such issues are addressed, the less likely they are to lead to dental implant failure.
Recovering from All-on-4 surgery may be easier than you expect! Talk to your dentist if you have additional questions about this important part of your tooth replacement journey.
Meet the Practice
At Forever Young Dentistry Bayside, Drs. Young, Samona, and Hoy provide a broad range of services to our community, including All-on-4 dental implant treatment. We combine state-of-the-art technology with advanced skills to optimize patient outcomes. If you would like to learn more about our practice and how we may be able to serve you, contact our Lenox, MI, office at 586-277-0080.