All-on-4® with dental implants is an innovative method of restorative dentistry, helping patients around the world to brand-new sets of permanent teeth. Looking and functioning just like natural teeth, All-on-4® aftercare and ongoing maintenance are just as accessible and straightforward. Here is the Next Smile™ guide to caring for your All-on-4® implant-supported teeth post-surgery and after.
Our All-on-4® Aftercare and Maintenance Guide for Patients Covers:
- Procedure Aftercare
- Oral Hygiene
- Dietary Advice
- Ongoing Maintenance
About Next Smile™ All-on-4®
Dental implants by Next Smile™ are without question the best solution for people suffering from tooth loss or decay. All-on-4® has an extremely high success rate of over 98 per cent*. Clinic founder and our mentor Dr Paulo Malo himself developed the All-on-4® treatment concept, a patented technology that allows for the strategic placement of only four implants in the upper or lower jawbone.
In doing so, it requires less dental implants than conventional solutions. It uses specially designed titanium implants that provide “root-like” support for prosthetic teeth. This omits the need for time-consuming and therefore expensive bone transplants. It means that the process of complete full arch-rehabilitation is shortened and simplified, giving All-on-4® its incredibly high success rate.
Since images speak for themselves, we think you should see for yourself and take a look at these amazing before and after pictures.
Procedure Aftercare
As with all surgeries, it is not uncommon for patients to dwell on the possible side effects and complications. In rare cases, dental implants can fail to integrate due to factors such as poor oral hygiene, pre-existing health conditions and lifestyle choices, such as smoking.
However, maintaining proper oral hygiene and care during the healing phase is absolutely in your hands. Rest assured that you can greatly decrease any of the involved risks if you follow all aftercare instructions provided by your Next Smile™ team.
What to expect after the surgery
During the healing time, you need to exercise caution to allow your implants to properly integrate. Your healing period will take anywhere between three to six months during which you will wear a temporary bridge. Our All-on-4® treatment concept guide explains in detail what you can expect during the four stages of every Next Smile™ All-on-4® treatment.
After your surgery and as per your Malo-certified dentist advice, you will need to get plenty of rest and stay hydrated. You will likely be sore and swollen, so it is advisable to take it easy and limit exercise in the initial days after the procedure. Keeping your head elevated will aid in the healing process. And most importantly: Follow our team’s specific aftercare instructions to the “T”.
While the majority of dental implants are routine procedures, there is always a chance for complications, however minor it may be. Whilst it is normal to experience some level of discomfort as your gums heal and your bone fuses to the implant, you should be aware of the following.
Potential risks and complications may include:
- Pain at the site of your implant surgery
- Minor bleeding
- Bruising of the gums or skin
- Swelling of the face and gums
- Infection
- Poor healing
Aftercare and Preventative Measures
Oral Hygiene
Post-op Instructions
Day 1
During the first 24 hours after your surgery, do not rinse or brush your teeth. Rinsing may interrupt the normal process of healing.
Day 2-14
Thoroughly cleaning and caring for the implant during all steps of the treatment is extremely important. Immediately after your surgery, avoid direct contact with the surgical sites and only use a soft bristle toothbrush and minimal pressure to clean your teeth. Very gently brush the gums but avoid brushing around the exposed stitches.
After Two Weeks
Later on, your oral hygiene with All-on-4® will remain similar to that you applied to maintain a natural smile. Brush twice a day, floss at least once a day and if recommended by your dentist, use antibacterial mouthwash, rinse after every meal. Be gentle around the surgical sites. At four weeks post-op you will be shown how to clean with a Waterpik to flush out any food that may be trapped under or around your dental implants and bridge.
Paying careful attention to your oral hygiene will greatly improve the chances for success of your treatment. We also highly recommend attending professional cleaning appointments every six months. For more information, please follow our oral hygiene tips for a healthy smile.
Note: Do not smoke for the first 3 months after surgery. Smoking can dry out the tissues and delay the healing process, causing you to bleed more and for longer periods of time.
Diet
Immediately after your surgery and during the following days, your food intake will be limited to liquids and soft foods to allow your wounds to heal properly. Avoid hard and chewy foods for the first 12 weeks after your All-on-4® procedure.
Soft food diets consist of soft, easily digestible foods and are prescribed to people who can’t tolerate normally textured or highly seasoned foods. Healthcare providers commonly prescribe these diets to people with certain medical conditions or who are recovering from surgery.
Ongoing All-on-4® Maintenance
Visiting your dental practice for regular checkups is just as important as your immediate post-op care and dental hygiene. Your All-on-4® treatment fee at Next Smile™ includes regular check-ups in the first 6 months post-surgery and a personalised Gold Standard level of care, managed by your clinic-appointed treatment coordinator. Together, you will decide how often these visits should take place, but they are usually at intervals of three to six months. At these visits, your implants, teeth, and gums are checked and professionally cleaned, including the areas you cannot reach yourself.
Wrapping it up
All-on-4® with dental implants are a relatively quick way to restore oral function and aesthetics with a permanent solution. Whilst you are guaranteed that your treatment will be delivered by experienced and Malo-certified dental professionals using premium, clinically proven componentry designed specifically for Next Smile™ All-on-4® treatments, the success of the procedure is largely in your own hands. Practicing proper oral hygiene, maintaining a soft food diet and avoiding the use of tobacco products for the first three months and avoiding drinking alcohol for the first two weeks after surgery, will greatly increase the chances of success.
If you have additional questions about All-on-4® aftercare and maintenance, give us a call!