With the All-on-4 procedure, you can get a full row of sturdy new teeth supported by just four implant posts. And thanks to the way All-on-4 dental implants are placed, you may be able to get new teeth on the same day as the surgery! That said, you will need to give yourself time to recover after the treatment. Here are 4 tips that can help ensure that you have a smooth, successful healing period.
1. Get Plenty of Rest Over the Next Few Days
During the initial healing period, your body will need plenty of rest to start the repairs in your mouth. Try to avoid exercise and other strenuous activities for at least a week after receiving your implants. Most people will need to take a day or two off of work, but you might need a longer break if your job involves physical labor of any kind. If you’re not sure whether it’s safe to return to your routine, call your dentist to see what they have to say.
2. Keep Discomfort and Inflammation Under Control
Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen can help relieve any discomfort you might be experiencing during All-on-4 recovery. If there’s any inflammation around the treatment area, you can try to reduce it with an ice pack. Apply it to the side of your face for 15 minutes, then remove it and wait another 15 minutes before applying it again. You can usually expect the inflammation to be mostly gone after three days.
3. Plan a Liquid and Soft Foods Diet
You can’t put too much pressure on your implant posts until after they’ve formed a strong bond with the jawbone. At the start of the recovery process, you should stick to a liquid-only diet. Then, once your mouth has healed to a certain point, you can work your way up to soft foods. It can take months for the implants to fully join with the jaw, and the exact amount of time varies from patient to patient; be gentle with your implants until you’re sure they’re ready for meals that require more chewing.
4. Practice Good Oral Hygiene
The last thing you want is for an infection to occur during recovery and cause your implants to fail. Keep your mouth clean by brushing regularly and rinsing with any prescribed mouthwash as directed. Be very gentle when brushing around the implant posts.
If you’d like more recovery tips, you can always call your dentist. Be sure to let them know about any unexpected symptoms that might have occurred so that they can schedule an appointment if necessary. Remember that recovery is a crucial part of the implant process; once it’s complete, you’ll be ready to start using your new smile to the fullest.
About the Practice
At Park Street Dental of Grove City, Dr. Merrell and Dr. Kryszan pride themselves on listening carefully to their patients so that they can make the right recommendations to help them achieve their smile goals. They offer multiple in-house implant treatments, including the state-of-the-art All-on-4 procedure. To schedule an appointment, visit their website or call (614) 875-9500.