Full mouth dental implants look, feel, and function just like natural teeth. A life-changing investment that can comprehensively restore your oral health and smile, they’re an increasingly popular and preferred treatment for missing and damaged tooth replacement.
At Doctors Implants, our 6 Hour Smile is a revolutionary full mouth (or full arch) dental implant procedure that can offer you a lifetime of improved oral health, comfort, and confidence in a single day. Our experienced team of leading Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons takes immense pride in our more than 99% implant success rate and the fact that we’ve never turned away a patient due to bone loss.
All that being said, if you’re considering scheduling a free consultation at Doctors Implants. Our team walks patients through the recovery process and what to expect pre and post op. While our groundbreaking all-in-one approach to full mouth dental implants drastically reduces recovery time when compared to the traditional implant process (which often includes multiple surgeries and bone grafting over a span of several months), healing from implant surgery still takes time, and understanding what to expect is critical.
Fortunately, the vast majority of Doctors Implants patients report significantly less pain and discomfort during the recovery period than they anticipated. And, by educating yourself and carefully following the advice and instructions of your surgeon, you too can heal faster after the 6 Hour Smile as comfortably, and effectively as possible.
Below, we’ve broken down the general aftercare instructions for the 6 Hour Smile day by day and offer an overview of other important considerations. Before you leave Doctors Implants on the day of your 6 Hour Smile, our team will provide detailed recovery instructions and information customized to your specific needs and circumstances. In addition, our friendly and knowledgeable team will be available to you throughout your recovery process should any questions or concerns arise along the way.
Day-by-Day Instructions
Day 1 (Day of Surgery/First 24 Hours After Surgery)
In the hours immediately following your 6 Hour Smile Procedure it’s advisable to have a caregiver or support person available to assist you. You will not be able to drive, operate machinery, make critical decisions, or care for children during this time period and you may need help even with simple routines such as climbing stairs and preparing food and beverages. Dizziness and/or impaired judgment as a result of pain medication are common.
During the first 8-10 hours post-surgery you’ll regularly apply ice to the treatment area and during the first 24 hours numbness, nose bleeding, and oozing or intermittent bleeding from the surgical site may occur. You’ll need to avoid hot foods and beverages, chewing, spitting, using a straw, stretching or pulling on your lips and face, smoking, blowing your nose aggressively, and sneezing with your mouth closed (particularly if your surgery involved your upper jaw).
Your doctor will provide clear instructions for how and when to take over-the-counter and/or prescription pain medications and it is crucial to follow these instructions with precision.
Days 2 and 3
By the day after your 6 Hour Smile procedure, the numbness should be wearing off and any bleeding should have significantly slowed or ceased altogether. At this point in the recovery process you’ll continue resting, icing, and taking pain medication as necessary. You’ll also add warm saltwater rinses to your recovery and begin brushing your new teeth twice daily with a soft bristle toothbrush and a non-abrasive gel toothpaste.
Day 4 and After
Once the first 2-3 days after surgery have passed, you should be able to tolerate more and more of your normal routine each and every day. On about the 11th day after surgery you’ll be able to stop hourly saltwater rinses and add cleanings with your Waterpik on the gentle setting to your after-meal routine. You may also choose to use your Waterpik throughout the day as necessary.
A positive outlook, a good support system, proper oral care and implant maintenance will remain crucial to a speedy and complete recovery.
Are You in Need of Dental Implants?
Do you have multiple missing or damaged teeth? Ready to learn more about the 6 Hour Smile? The exceptional team of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons at Doctors Implants is ready to meet you. Call 1-844-SMILES2 to book your free consultation today!
