If you need to have most or all of your teeth replaced, All-on-4 dental implants are a great option because you can get all the benefits of dental implants with just 4 implant posts. The dental implants are placed surgically, which means you may want to do a little prep work to ensure you can rest and relax to speed healing in the days following the procedure. Keep reading to learn what to expect during the recovery process.
What to Know About All-on-4 Recovery
With All-on-4 dental implants, your dental implant posts are placed and restored on the same day. Thanks to recent advancements in implant dentistry, patients can experience greater comfort during and after the procedure.
Your dentist will discuss your anesthesia options with you, which include oral conscious sedation or even general anesthesia in some cases. Further measures will be taken to minimize bleeding after the surgery. Following your dentist’s instructions closely will help you have a speedy recovery.
How Long It Takes to Heal
Unlike with traditional dental implants, which require up to 8 months of recovery in some cases, All-on-4 dental implant patients are back to their normal routines with minor adjustments just a few days after placement. In the months after the procedure, the dental implants will grow together with the jaw bone to provide a sturdy foundation for your new teeth.
What to Eat After All-on-4
The one thing you will need to prepare for during your recovery from All-on-4 is adjustments to your diet. It is recommended that patients eat a liquid diet right after placement, as you will likely be experiencing swelling, tenderness in the gums, and maybe even slight bleeding. All are normal side effects and can be minimized by following the proper foods.
Examples of what to eat on a liquid diet include:
- Bone broth
- Strained soup
- Water, juice, herbal tea
- Popsicles and fruit ice
- Ice cream and sherbet
As the implantation site heals and you start to feel more comfortable eating, you can move onto a soft-food diet, simply avoiding anything chewy, crunchy, or hard. You will need to eat this way for up to three months following the procedure.
Examples of soft-food items you can eat include:
- Soft fruits and vegetables (banana, avocado, etc)
- Yogurt
- Creamy soups
- Stewed meat
- Mashed potatoes
- Soft breads
- And much more
If you are considering All-on-4 dental implants, talk to your dentist more to understand what you can expect in the days and weeks following the procedure. It’s worth it for a fully restored mouth!
Meet the Dentist
Dr. William J. Cappello was inspired to become a dentist by his father, who was also a dentist. He is passionate about helping transform lives through quality dental care. All-in-4 dental implants are a wonderful way to rebuild your smile after tooth loss. To learn more about this procedure, do not hesitate to reach out to Cappello Family Dental by phone at (203) 816-5545.