Guide
All-on-4 recovery: what to expect
From surgery day to your final teeth, here's what recovery looks like — and what helps it go smoothly.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Rodolfo Rodriguez, DMD · Updated
The first day
- With any sedation, someone drives you home and stays with you for the rest of the day
- Before you leave, fixed provisional teeth are screwed onto your implants: you never go home without teeth
- Some oozing is normal; bite gently on gauze if we gave you some
- Take your medication as directed and hold a cold pack to your cheeks on and off
- Rest with your head raised
The first week
Swelling and soreness usually build over the first two or three days, then fade over several days; some people bruise. Many people are back at work within a few days. How you feel depends on how many teeth were removed and on your own healing.
Eat soft foods, rinse as we instruct, keep your follow-up visit, and do not smoke or vape, which slows healing.
The healing months
Over the following months, the implants bond with the bone. During that time you keep to a soft diet, clean around the provisional teeth as we show you, and come in for check-ups so we can watch the healing.
Avoid hard, crunchy and sticky foods. They can chip the provisional teeth or put stress on implants that are still healing.
Your final teeth
Once the implants have healed, the provisional is replaced with your final bridge, zirconia on a titanium bar, designed with our in-house ceramist and fitted to your face and your bite. Most people then eat a normal diet. Zirconia or acrylic explains the choice of material.
When to call us
- Swelling or pain that gets worse after the third day
- A fever
- Bleeding that does not slow with firm pressure
- A provisional tooth that breaks or a bridge that feels loose
- Numbness of the lip or chin that does not wear off
On Friday evenings and weekends, there is Perla After Hours.
FAQs
How soon can I go back to work?
What can I eat with my provisional teeth?
How long until my final teeth?
Related
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Tell us what's going on, in English or Spanish. We'll take it from there.