With traditional dental implants, as many as six to eight implants are needed to support a full upper or lower denture. Many of our patients, however, lack the necessary bone density that full-size implants require. While bone grafts and sinus lifts can improve bone density, additional surgeries are not always beneficial for some patients, especially the elderly. To provide greater stability for all his patients, Dr. Kalil Abide also offers All-on-4® implants. This methodology uses slightly smaller posts, inserted at an angle, reducing the need for additional bone tissue.
For patients considering this option, Dr. Abide can explain the process in detail. Below is what you can expect with All-on-4® surgery recovery following your procedure at our Jackson, MS office.
All-on-4® Implant Surgery
The day of surgery, we provide a local anesthetic and a sedative. This will make you comfortable and minimize any discomfort, but will not put you to sleep. Using advanced surgical guides for optimal and precise placement, Dr. Abide will surgically implant each of the four implants into your jaw. Once the implants are in place, he will attach your denture. Both the implant placement and the loading of the denture take place in a single appointment so you walk out of our office with a full set of beautiful and functional teeth.
All-on-4® Implant Recovery
Immediately following your surgery, we will provide you with pain medication to minimize your initial discomfort. We recommend taking at least one to two days off from work, but the more time you can give yourself to heal, the better.
Your Diet after All-on-4® Surgery
Your diet is one of the most important components of the recovery process following your All-on-4® surgery. Although we can place your implants and attach your dentures in a single day with this method, it still takes three months or more for the implants to fuse with your jawbone.
During the first few weeks, we recommend an all-liquid diet to avoid chewing. Broths, soups, smoothies, and similar liquids are a good choice during this time. Slowly, you can begin to incorporate soft foods into your diet, such as scrambled eggs, pasta, or cooked vegetables. This is a gradual process and should keep your chewing to a minimum. Eventually, you can reintroduce other foods back into your diet.
Follow-up Visits
You will return to our office for periodic follow-up visits. This will allow Dr. Abide to monitor your healing progress. Once the healing phase is complete, many patients need to have their restoration readjusted for a better fit. Your jawbone and gums will shift as the bone heals and fuses around the implants. Even minor changes can make your denture feel uncomfortable. Once you have completely healed, Dr. Abide can modify your denture or create a new one if needed. This will provide you with the most stable and comfortable restoration possible.
Schedule Your All-on-4® Consultation
If you desire the stability dental implants offer but are not a good candidate for traditional implants, contact Harmony Dental Care today. Dr. Abide can assess your oral health and determine if All-on-4® implants are right for you.