If you’ve been missing a full arch of teeth for a long time, there’s arguably no better way to replace them than with All-On-4 dental implants in Lady Lake! Four dental implants are strategically placed in the thickest parts of your jaw to give you all the benefits of an implant denture even if you have low jawbone density. However, even though the surgery is minor, you’ll still need to adjust your diet for a little while afterwards as you recover. Here’s what you can expect after All-On-4 dental implant surgery and what you should plan on eating and drinking.
Recovering from All-On-4 Surgery
If you’ve never had oral surgery before, dental implant surgery may sound quite daunting at first. Fortunately, there’s nothing to be worried about! The procedure itself is quite straightforward: your dentist will make a few small incisions in your gums to access your jawbone, carefully position the implants in place, close up the gums around them, and potentially place a denture on them.
While your jawbone will need several months to fully heal and integrate the dental implants, you should only need a few days to a week or so to recover from the surgery. In fact, most patients will feel up to going back to their normal daily activities after just a day or two. Your dentist will give you specific instructions on how to care for your smile over the coming days and weeks, along with a prescription for pain medication in most cases.
Stocking Up Your Kitchen
It’s a good idea to stock up on the right foods and beverages before your All-On-4 dental implant surgery. You’ll want to choose plenty of liquids and soft foods that are nutritious and won’t disturb the surgical site as it heals, like:
- Water, milk, and protein shakes
- Broth, pureed soup, and pasta
- Eggs and mashed potatoes
- Applesauce, yogurt, and cottage cheese
- Ice cream and frozen yogurt with no mix-ins
Tips for Post-Op Eating & Drinking
When it comes to having a fast and successful recovery, it’s also essential that you are aware of how you are enjoying your soft foods and beverages. Immediately after your All-On-4 surgery, you should refrain from eating until the sedation and numbing effects have fully worn off, which may take several hours. Then, start with liquids and drinks only, being sure to avoid hot, carbonated, and alcoholic drinks. Do not drink through a straw, as this can dislodge the blood clots around the dental implants. The next day, you can begin to eat soft foods. Crunchy or hard bits can be painful to chew and slow down healing, so make sure your foods don’t have any small grains, nuts, or other mix-ins that could cause you problems. Gradually over the coming days, you can begin to add more and more foods back into your diet. Within a month or so, you should be feeling up to eating nearly anything on your plate!
About the Practice
At RP Dental & Implants, we are dedicated to helping you achieve the happy, healthy, and confident smile you deserve. Our talented team has over 20 years of experience in restorative dentistry, and our doctors have the advanced training needed to perform every step of your All-On-4 dental implant treatment right here in our Lady Lake practice. If you’re interested in replacing your missing teeth or traditional removable denture, don’t hesitate to contact us online or at (352) 750-0008.