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Congratulations on making the choice to stop struggling with traditional dentures and restore your beautiful smile with the help of All-on-4 or All-on-6 implant dentures! Now that your procedure is scheduled, you may be wondering what the next steps look like, and how you can do your part to keep your newly improved smile for a lifetime. Here’s a closer look at what you can expect.
Preparing for Surgery
Preparing for your All-on-4 surgery is easy. Be sure to gather any medications and supplies you’ll need before your big day so you don’t have to stress about it after. If you are a smoker, your dentist will need you to quit smoking at least two weeks prior to your procedure, and for several months after. You should also arrange for a ride to and from your surgical appointment, as you will be unable to drive yourself home. Furthermore, be sure to take off a few days from the gym, work, or other obligations as you’ll need those days to rest and recover.
Follow Your Post-Op Instructions
Before your All-on-4 or All-on-6 surgery, your dentist will provide you with a list of post-operative instructions. Be sure to follow them as closely as possible, as they were specifically designed to help ensure that you heal properly and avoid complications.
Managing Pain
Though your mouth will be numb for your procedure, healing from All-on-4 and All-on-6 surgery can be uncomfortable for some patients. Thus, be sure to follow your dentist’s pain management tips closely. Take all medications (including prescription and OTC) as directed, stick to a soft diet, avoid hot or cold foods, and use ice packs on your face to alleviate swelling and pain. To keep your mouth clean and soothe it at the same time, swish warm saltwater frequently.
Familiarize Yourself with Common Side Effects
Side effects are common with any surgical procedure, and your All-on-4 or All-on-6 surgery is no exception. During recovery, you may experience pain, swelling, and bruising. You may also feel some fatigue or limited mobility. Should you develop a fever or anything that seems out of the ordinary, please contact your dentist as soon as possible.
Oral Hygiene
Maintaining excellent oral hygiene following your All-on-4 or All-on-6 surgery is extremely important. Brush your teeth gently with a soft bristled toothbrush twice a day and be sure to floss very carefully around your dental implants while avoiding the surgical sites. Once complete, rinse with the antimicrobial mouthwash your dentist may have prescribed.
Healing Times
While how long it takes to heal from All-on-4 or All-on-6 surgery depends on the individual patient, you can expect recovery to take anywhere from two to six months. Immediately following your procedure, you may feel some discomfort and notice swelling, and bruising, but this should only last a few days. Be sure to wear the temporary prosthetics your dentist has provided, and don’t miss your follow-up dental appointments.
Remember, All-on-4 and All-on-6 implant dentures are a beautiful, durable, permanent solution to missing teeth, but before you can enjoy your newly restored smile, you’ll need to heal from your procedure. Follow these tips for best results, and soon you’ll be sharing your gorgeous new grin with the world!
About Our Practice
At Lancaster Family Smiles, Dr. Je and Dr. Jeong offer a combination of compassionate care and modern technology with every treatment. If you’re interested in learning more about how All-on-4 or All-on-6 implant dentures can provide a permanent solution to your tooth loss, schedule a consultation with us today. You can book directly through our website, or call us at 469-729-7707.