All-on-4 dental implants are one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways to address extensive tooth loss. However, it does involve a surgical procedure, so you must be prepared to go through a healing period. What can you expect while you are recovering from All-on-4 surgery? This blog post provides a basic guide to the post-op experience.
What Happens Immediately after All-on-4 Surgery?
You will probably be sedated during your procedure. You may feel groggy or tired as the sedatives leave your body, so you should be sure to have a trusted adult ready to drive you home from your surgical appointment. If they could stay with you for at least the next 12 hours, that would be ideal.
Swelling, intermittent bleeding, and general discomfort are all to be expected. You should avoid strenuous physical activity and get plenty of rest during the first few days after your procedure. It may also be necessary for you to take pain medications and periodically apply an ice pack to your face to minimize swelling.
Also, keep in mind that even though you will have temporary teeth attached to your dental implants, you should not use them to chew right away. Rather, stick to a liquid diet for as long as your oral surgeon recommends.
When Will You Feel Normal?
Most patients are able to return to their normal routine within a few days of their procedure. However, full recovery can take 3 – 4 weeks. Really, how long it takes for you to bounce back will depend on your overall health, how well you comply with post-op instructions, your age, and other factors. Be patient with yourself and do not push yourself too hard before you are ready.
As your mouth heals, you will be able to start adding fork-tender foods into your diet (anything soft enough to easily cut with the side of a fork). You should continue to stick to a thorough but gentle oral hygiene routine so you can reduce the risk of infection around your dental implants.
When Will You Get Your Permanent Teeth?
After your dental implants have had a chance to form a strong bond with your jawbone, your temporary All-on-4 denture will be replaced with a permanent new set of teeth. This process usually takes several months, although for most of it, your mouth will feel completely normal. You will not be aware of what your body is doing as your jawbone fuses with your implants.
Once your permanent denture is in place, you can expect to be able to use it almost as if it were your natural teeth.
Recovering from All-on-4 surgery requires a bit of patience, but when all is said and done, you can expect to be the proud owner of a strong, complete, and healthy smile!
Meet the Practice
Drs. Steve Koo and William Shepard are highly skilled oral and maxillofacial surgeons. They offer All-on-4 services in addition to a range of other dental implant procedures. If you have questions about what to expect during your tooth replacement journey, our team would be pleased to speak with you. Contact our Katy oral surgery office at 832-353-1100.