All-on-4 Aftercare
Thanks to All-on-4® dental implants, a full denture can be supported with great stability. Dr. C. Mike Meek and Dr. David. J. Tasch have changed so many lives in Austin, TX for the better thanks to All-on-4. Yet the work we do in the office is just half of the equation. Patients need to work on proper aftercare to ensure long term results.
The team at 38th Street Dental would like to go over some of the basics of All-on-4 aftercare, with a focus on what patients can do to avoid implant failure and complications.
Why All-on-4 Aftercare Matters
Proper aftercare is important for two reasons. For one, it ensures that the All-on-4 dental implants succeed and remain stable in the early days and weeks following their placement. Second, it helps ensure that the All-on-4 treatment leads to long-term success of the implants, with good stability for years to come.
Temporarily Adjust Your Diet After Getting All-on-4
In the first week or so with All-on-4 dental implants, altering your diet is helpful. You may want to consider switching to a soft food diet. This will help reduce discomfort as you bite and chew, allowing you to become accustomed to the new denture and dental implants. Take these first few days slowly. Add crunchy, crispy, and chewy foods back into your diet gradually and when you can eat them comfortably.
Good Oral Hygiene Practices
Gum disease and peri-implantitis are both serious issues if you have any sort of dental implants in place. To help prevent these periodontal health problems, it’s best to practice good oral hygiene. Patients should brush their teeth at least twice a day and floss every night; this includes cleaning the gumline and any exposed implant posts and abutments. Super floss or a proxy brush can be used to get those small or delicate parts around the implants.
Ideally, you should consider brushing and flossing after every meal for the best possible oral hygiene.
Cleaning Your Denture
In addition to cleaning your mouth, it’s essential to keep your denture clean. We advise patients at our Austin practice to do the following when cleaning their dentures:
- Remove dentures after eating and rinse them with clean water
- Brush your dentures at least once a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a non-abrasive toothpaste
- Soak your dentures overnight to help them retain proper shape
- Always rinse dentures before putting them back in your mouth
Attend All Follow-Up Visit and Dental Checkups
After All-on-4 treatment is completed, patients will have a few follow-up visits to check on the success of treatment. Attend all of these follow-ups as scheduled.
It’s also important to continue going to your normal dental checkups every six months. In addition to routine exams and cleanings, your dentist will be able to check on your All-on-4 implants and ensure all is well.
Refrain from Smoking and Tobacco Products
Apart from good oral hygiene and regular dental visits, the best thing you can do to ensure All-on-4 success is to avoid smoking and the use of tobacco products. Tobacco increases your risk of gum disease and other serious dental health and general wellness issues. Consider your All-on-4 dentures a convenient excuse to kick the habit for good.
Learn More About All-on-4
For more information about implant dentistry and how it can benefit you, be sure to contact our skilled cosmetic and restorative dentists. You can schedule a consultation at 38th Street Dental in Austin by calling (512) 458-6222.
