The Complete “all On 4” Procedure In Bellaire: Post-operative Recovery, Part 3

By Author: Derrick Ashley
Total Articles: 130
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Welcome back to our three-part article series on the procedure involved in getting All On 4 implants placed in Bellaire. In our previous article post, the second installment of the series, we explained what patients could expect from the surgical component of the procedure during which they receive their implants and fixed dental prosthesis. In this installment, we’ll focus on the post-operative recovery process and what specialists generally recommend for patients as they become adjusted to their new teeth.
“All On 4” Dental Implants Procedure, Step # 3: Post-Operative Recovery
During the recovery process, the bone tissue surrounding the dental implant, which is essentially a tiny titanium screw, will be biologically fusing to the surface of the implant. The image included above shows the bone tissue (orange) bonding to the rutted metallic implant surface (grey). This process is termed “osseointegration” and is key to the success of the fields of implantology and orthopedic surgery. Osseointegration is what enables the dental implant to become a part of the jawbone and function like a natural healthy ...
... tooth root.
In the weeks and months following surgery, therefore, it’s important for patients to give their new teeth the best possible chance of healing. Any wrong food choices or strenuous activities could lead to these bonds breaking, which could prolong healing and discomfort or even cause implant failure altogether! For this reason, specialists in all on 4 Bellaire always explain to patients what foods they should avoid during the first few weeks of recovery. As a rule, if you can’t cut it with a plastic knife, you shouldn’t eat it!
What about post-operative pain?
As with any surgery, it is normal for patients to experience a degree of localized discomfort, swelling and sensitivity around the implant sites. This is as a result of the incisions that were made to place the implants and, in most cases, disappears after only a few days. During this time, however, any discomfort can effectively be managed with prescription narcotic analgesics or even just over-the-counter painkillers like Advil or Tylenol. You may be given anti-inflammatories and/or a cold compress to help manage post-operative swelling.
You can return to work within a few days of your surgery by which stage most patients report feeling pain-free and back to normal.
Approximately two weeks after your procedure, you will be required to return to the dental implant center for a follow-up appointment. During this appointment, your specialist will take a look at your teeth and implants to make sure that they are healing properly. He or she will then remove your initial (temporary) dental prosthesis and replace it with a permanent one, which is also made from molds of your teeth. Your permanent dental bridge is constructed out of much stronger and more durable materials, which will enable you to enjoy a greater variety of foods in time. It will still be a few more weeks before you can sink your teeth into a juicy steak again, but you’ll be well on your way there!
Remember to follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions to the letter, avoid strenuous exercise for a few weeks and brush and floss your teeth to keep them nice and clean. Moving forward, keep regularly scheduled appointments with your All On 4 specialist in Bellaire to ensure that your dental implants are working optimally for you!