April 12, 2024
When you lose any number of teeth, it can compromise your ability to bite and chew as normal and to smile with total confidence. Dental implants can restore your smile in both form and function, providing you with a second chance at robust oral health. Replacing a single tooth requires just one implant, while replacing entire rows of teeth may involve the more extensive All-on-4® treatment concept.
When considering these options, it is natural to wonder how they compare and contrast, particularly with regard to recovery and aftercare. During your initial consultation, Dr. Clemenza will direct you to the treatment best suited to your needs, and also provide more exhaustive information about your recovery timeline.
What Is Recovery from Dental Implants Like?
For the most part, patients can expect a straightforward, mild recovery, whether they get a single dental implant or All-on-4 dental implants. Any finer distinctions, such as how to chew after receiving All-on-4 dental implants, will be covered during your initial consultation with Dr. Clemenza.
A few general guidelines include:
- Whether you receive a single dental implant or more extensive treatment, you will need to avoid chewing on the site(s) of your implant placement until your recovery is complete. You will also want to avoid chewing at all for several days after the All-on-4 treatment concept. If you can smash it with a fork, you can eat that safely during the All-on-4 dental implant recovery process.
- In general, you should only start chewing food once it feels comfortable to do so. Even then, it is recommended that you start with incredibly soft and easy to chew foods like steamed seedless vegetables.
- Whether you are recovering from a single implant or from All-on-4 dental implants, it is important to avoid foods that can break apart into hard shards, such as nuts, fruit with seeds, etc. Crunchy foods can often result in shards getting stuck in the gum tissue or under an implant, compromising your recovery.
- Similarly, in both recovery processes, you must avoid any foods or drinks that have a high sugar content. Sugar promotes the growth of bacteria that can lead to periodontal infections at the site(s) of dental implant placement.
Learn More About Your Dental Implant Options from Keystone OMS
No matter how many teeth you are missing, restoration is possible at Keystone OMS. Dental implants and All-on-4 dental implants can give you a second chance at a confident smile. Learn more about dental implants and the All-on-4 treatment concept on our website.