Post-Op Instructions for
All-on-4 Dental Implants

What Should I Do Immediately Following All-on-4 Surgery?

• For the first 72 hours after your procedure, rest at home.
• If you received IV sedation or general anesthesia, have a responsible adult stay with you for the first 12 hours after surgery because you may feel lightheaded, sleepy or dizzy.
• Take any medication as directed.
• To avoid tearing or irritating your sutures, don’t touch or pull on your lips or cheeks while trying to look at the surgical sites.
• Call us immediately even if it’s after-hours if your pain doesn’t respond to the medication or you experience heavy bleeding, vomiting, persistent nausea or difficulty breathing. Your health and wellbeing are our top priorities.

Is the Recovery Period Painful?

You will probably be uncomfortable for the first three days after your All-on-4 procedure. This discomfort usually decreases after day three and continues to get better after that.

Will I Experience Swelling or Bruising After All-on-4 Dental Implants?

After surgery, you may have pretty significant swelling. This is normal. It typically peaks within 72 hours and then starts to subside. To help reduce swelling, right after your procedure, you can apply ice packs to the sides of your face for 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off for the rest of the day. Then, for the next 48 to 72 hours, use moist heat on your cheeks. A warm, wet washcloth will do the trick.

Bruising is also normal and sometimes shows up a few days post-procedure. You may notice bruising below or above the implant sites. It should go away on its own after the first week or so.

What Can I Eat After All-on-4 Dental Implants Surgery?

For the three months after your surgery, it’s very important to stick to a soft diet. This healing period is when your implants will integrate with the bone. You’ll also be wearing a temporary prosthesis during this time and it isn’t strong enough to withstand chewing on crunchy or hard foods.

Eat foods that are easy to chew and swallow, such as things that are chopped, ground, pureed or mashed. Some good foods to eat for the three months following your All-on-4 dental implant surgery include:

Can I Smoke After My All-on-4 Procedure?

Smoking can delay healing, dry out your oral tissues and cause you to bleed more so avoid it for the first week following surgery.

How Do I Maintain My Oral Hygiene?

Good oral hygiene is critical to prevent infection and ensure proper healing. For the first week after your All-on-4 procedure, use the monoject syringe we give you to gently and carefully clean under your prosthesis. Then, you’ll want to use a soft bristle toothbrush and toothpaste to brush your teeth in the morning, after meals and before bed. After two weeks, you’ll be able to use a Waterpik and floss again. The Waterpik is a great tool for irrigating underneath your prosthesis to rinse out debris and plaque.

When Can I Start Exercising Again After Dental Implant Surgery?

Don’t exercise or do any heavy lifting or physical activity for the first week after surgery as an elevated heart rate and blood pressure can cause bleeding and prolong the healing period. We give most patients the go-ahead to ease back into their exercise routine about a week after their procedure.