The Best Tips for Recovery After Getting All-on-4 Dental Implants
Innovations in dentistry and tooth replacement have made it possible to replace several teeth at a time far more quickly than traditional dental implant methods. For example, All-on-4 dental implants can give you a brand-new smile the same day of your surgery. However, it does require multiple placements of dental implant posts, which can be taxing. Just like how you would when having a single implant placed, you’ll need to keep certain recovery tips in mind. Learn what they are from an experienced periodontist and implant dentist!
Expectations Immediately After Your Surgery
Dentists are trained to make you feel as comfortable as possible before, during, and after your implant surgery. That way, you can feel confident ahead of and during treatment as well as heal more easily afterwards. For example, they’ll make sure you are sufficiently numbed beforehand, which means you’ll need to avoid eating food until the anesthetic wears off completely. Furthermore, they’ll take measures during your surgery to reduce any post-procedure bleeding as well as any risk for infection, irritation or discomfort as you heal.
Make sure you are fully aware of any follow-up appointments you’ll need to attend so the dentist can monitor your healing progress. If you plan to receive sedation, have a third-party be ready to take down all aftercare instructions. It’s common for medications to be prescribed after surgery to help prevent infections and reduce discomfort, so make sure these are filled and ready to be picked up.
Tips When Healing at Home
As you begin healing at home, you’ll need to take a few precautions. For example:
- Avoid rinsing your mouth out with water the same day as your surgery. You may use a medicated rinse if one is provided to you. On the following day, you can rinse your mouth out with a DIY saltwater solution up to three times a day if any bleeding appears.
- Avoid touching any tender areas to prevent irritation.
- You can brush your teeth, but you’ll need to be as gentle as possible and only use a brush containing soft bristles.
- Avoid tobacco or smoking as this can delay the healing process.
- Keep your head elevated when laying down or sleeping.
Managing a Soft Diet
Over the next few months, you’ll will need to avoid any hard foods as your implants begin to fuse inside the jawbone. This means keeping to a soft and liquid diet while wearing your temporary implant denture. A permanent one will be attached after your implants have fully healed. Common recommendations for a soft diet include:
- Smoothies and shakes
- Yogurt, pudding, gelatin and ice cream
- Nut butters
- Mashed potatoes
- Tender proteins like pot roast, shredded chicken, pulled pork or tofu
- Scrambled eggs
- Smooth soups or soups with soft chunks of food
- Cooked or baked fruits, such as applesauce
- Ripe fruits like bananas, avocados, and peaches
- Cooked cereals like oatmeal
- Soft breads without any whole grains, nuts, or seeds
Ready to learn more about All-on-4 dental implants? Schedule an appointment with an implant dentist today!