Overview
After All-On-4 Plus® surgery, your mouth needs time to settle and heal. It is common to have some swelling, bruising, tenderness or mild bleeding in the first few days.
Managing discomfort at home is mainly about protecting the surgical area while the gums and jaw begin to recover. This usually means resting, keeping your head slightly elevated, eating soft foods and avoiding anything that may place pressure on the implants or irritate the gums.
Cold compresses may help with swelling during the early recovery period. Some patients may also be advised to rinse gently with warm salt water, but only once their clinician confirms it is safe to do so. Rinsing too firmly, brushing too close to the surgical area or disturbing the wound can slow healing or increase bleeding and irritation.
Pain relief or other medication should be taken exactly as prescribed or recommended by your All-On-4 Plus® clinician. If discomfort becomes worse, bleeding does not settle, or something does not feel right, contact your clinician for advice.
Every recovery is different. Following your post-operative instructions closely is the best way to support healing and reduce the risk of complications.
Common Questions
Read common questions we get asked regarding managing discomfort at home after All-On-4 Plus® surgery below.
Yes. Some discomfort, swelling, bruising and tenderness can be normal after surgery. These symptoms usually improve within 1-2 weeks after surgery. If you have Zygoma Implants don't be alarmed if you have bruising under your eyes, it is normal. This type of swelling can take longer to go away.
Your clinician may recommend using a cold compress on the outside of the face during the early recovery period. Keeping your head slightly elevated while resting may also help reduce swelling. Time is the biggest factor when it comes to the duration of swelling, give it a week or 2 before it is full recovered.
You must eat soft foods while your mouth is healing, especially in the first week or 2 after your surgery. For the first few days soup, yoghurt, smoothies, mash potatoes eg. are recommended as there is little to no chewing needed. As the weeks progress you can move to other soft foods such as rice, steamed vegetables, poached chicken etc.
Your clinician will let you know when it is safe to start rinsing. If warm salt water rinses are recommended, they should be done gently. Vigorous rinsing can irritate the surgical area. You may also be advised to rinse with savacol mouthwash.
Oral hygiene is still important, but the surgical area needs to be treated very carefully. You may brush your teeth with a manual toothbrush and regular toothpaste VERY GENTLY. You can also rinse your mouth with savacol as instructed by your clinician.
Yes. You will be given pain medication by your clinician to take home with you after surgery. Take medication only as prescribed or recommended by your clinician. Do not change the dose or add other medications unless your clinician or pharmacist has advised you to do so.
Contact your All-On-4 Plus® clinician if pain becomes worse, swelling increases, bleeding does not settle, you develop signs of infection or you are unsure whether your recovery is progressing normally. Alternatively if you can't get in contact with your clinician, go straight to your closest hospital.