With the All-on-4 procedure, you can have a full smile in just one day. All-on-4 secures a full denture to four dental implants that are strategically positioned along the jaw. The implants are set at an angle in order to take advantage of existing bone volume. Like standard dental implants, All-on-4 implants act like tooth roots encouraging healthy new bone tissue growth, which can help you retain the natural and more youthful shape of your jawbone. Because you’ve received implants and dentures in one appointment, special care must be taken post-op. Read on to know what you should do after you get All-On-4 dentures in Arlington.
What Should I Do Immediately After Surgery?
In a word—rest. Take it easy at home for 48 to 72 hours after surgery. If you’ve had oral conscious sedation or IV sedation, then you’ll likely feel sleep for several hours. Take a nap and do not attempt to drive until the day after surgery. Don’t pull on your lips or cheeks to look at the surgical site, because this could tear the stitches. And if you’ve been given a prescription medication, be sure to take it on schedule.
Will There Be Swelling and Bruising?
Some swelling and bruising can be expected after implant surgery. For the first 24 to 36 hours after surgery, apply icepacks to both sides of your face at 15-minute intervals—that is, 15 minutes on, then 15 minutes off. For the next 48 to 72 hours, a warm, wet washcloth will help reduce swelling.
Bruising may occur a few days after surgery and will likely be located above or below the spots where your implants have been placed. Bruising is nothing to worry about and will resolve on its own within a week.
What Can I Eat After Surgery?
For the first three months after surgery, you must stick to a diet of soft foods. This is the time when your new dental implants are fusing with the surrounding bone tissue. In addition, you’ll be wearing a temporary prosthesis that is not intended to handle biting hard on firm or crunchy foods.
Here are some suggestions of what to eat while you’re healing after receiving dental implants in Arlington:
- Applesauce
- Soft and cooked vegetables
- Canned fruit
- Mashed potatoes
- Pudding
- Jell-O
- Scrambled eggs
- Broiled fish
- Roasted chicken
- Soups with pasta
- Oatmeal
- Protein shakes
- Ice Cream
How Should I Maintain Oral Hygiene?
Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential for the success of your hybrid dentures in Arlington. Both the temporary and the permanent All-On-4 prosthetic sit directly on top of your gums. Therefore, you must keep this tissue clean. For the first week after surgery, use a water-filled syringe to clean underneath the prosthesis. In two weeks, you can use a water pick and regular floss.
If you have questions about the All-On-4 procedure or the recovery process, please call the dentist in Arlington.
Meet the Doctor
Dr. Douglas Baldwin is a family and cosmetic dentist in Arlington, Texas. He and his team provide a complete menu of dental services to patients of all ages. Call Foundation Dental Solutions today to schedule an appointment.