What to Expect When Recovering from All-on-4 Surgery

Would you like to bring back all of your missing teeth as soon as possible? All-on-4 dental implants are often the most efficient way to accomplish this goal. This method gives you replacement teeth that look lifelike, feel natural, and are capable of lasting for decades. Although All-on-4 requires oral surgery, the healing period is usually much easier than you might think. Everyone’s body is different, but here’s a basic idea of what to expect during the All-on-4 recovery process. 

How All-on-4 Dental Implants Work

Dental implants are titanium posts that are surgically inserted through the gums and into your jawbone. They will then begin to fuse with the surrounding bone through osseointegration, which strengthens the implants and allows them to adequately support any number of replacement teeth. All-on-4 dental implants are different from traditional ones because they use load-bearing dentures that can be attached on the same day as your implants. It’s worth noting that they won’t be able to withstand the full force of biting and chewing until osseointegration is complete, which can take anywhere from three to six months.

Should I Take Time Off Work?

In general, dentists recommend that patients take two or three days off work to recover from their procedure. The nature of your job will also impact how long it takes you to recover. If your job is physically taxing, you may need to stay home and recover for three or more days. If you engage in strenuous physical activities, this can divert blood away from the surgical site, which will delay healing. Avoid intense workouts, heavy lifting, and similar activities as much as possible. If you work at a desk or have another kind of job that doesn’t require a lot of movement, you’ll probably only need a day or two off from work.

What Should I Eat After Surgery?

Until your gums heal, it’s wise to keep to a liquid diet for up to two weeks. Over the next several months, while you’re waiting for your gums to heal, try to stay away from crunchy, hard, or crispy foods that require a lot of chewing power, as these can cause too much strain on your implants. As a result, your jaw may not heal properly.

For your All-on-4 recovery to be successful, it’s important that you follow your dentist’s recovery guidelines and attend follow-up appointments as scheduled. This will allow your dentist to make sure your recovery is going smoothly and that no complications have developed so you can enjoy your new smile to the fullest!

About the Practice

New U Dental is led by Restorative and cosmetic dentist Dr. Idan Snapir, board-certified periodontist Dr. Shanne Sastiel, and board-certified endodontist Dr. Samuel Gegamian. They can help you restore your smile with All-on-4 dental implants so you can get back to having a smile you love. To make an appointment with New U Dental or for more information on how the All-on-4 dental implant procedure works, call their office at (818) 446-9988 or visit their website.