Planning for Your All at Once® Implant Bridge - All at Once® Implant Bridge

Once you have your surgery date booked and you’ve organised your time off from work and your lifestyle commitments, it’s time to prepare yourself for extraction day.

By Leanne.

What will I need after my dental implant surgery?

Once you have your surgery date booked and you’ve organised your time off from work and your lifestyle commitments, it’s time to accessorise yourself for extraction day or E-Day, as it’s known in the biz and beyond.

I will cover general post-op care and recovery in a future topic. Today, from a patient’s perspective, I want to talk about what you will need immediately after surgery or in the initial weeks ahead.

To help better prepare yourself, you will need to stock up on the following:

Bathroom:

Chlorhexidine-based mouthwash used for two weeks post-surgery, then a non-staining, alcohol-free mouthwash for ongoing use. I love Peroxyl by Colgate.
Ultra-soft toothbrushes & nonabrasive toothpaste.
- Tip! Squeeze a bit of toothpaste between your fingers and rub together or place it on a small piece of aluminium foil and rub it in a circular motion. If you feel grit or particles, do not use this paste, as it will be abrasive to your bridge.
- Here, you can find further information on the ADA toothpaste abrasive scale. Not all products are available in all regions, but many are. I personally love Pronamel by Sensodyne.
A water flosser is vitally important, but not until stitches are removed or dissolved and not until you get the ok from your dentist. You can practice power washing the bathroom ceiling, though (hilarious until you get the hang of it). You’ll also need Implant floss and interdental brushes. Google and Amazon are your friends.
Lip balm and lots of it to help keep your lips nice and soft.

Bedroom:

Extra pillows. Sleeping upright for the first few nights may help reduce swelling and bruising. Your swelling and bruising will usually peak between days 3-5.

Kitchen:

Salt water rinses

Freezer:

Ice packs. Frozen peas in small zip lock bags held in place with a face mask work amazingly well

Fridge:

Yoghurt, ice cream, soup, jelly, broths, porridge, scrambled eggs, smoothies and other soft foods. No straws in the early days, and be careful with hot fluids. You can find some soft food recipes and inspiration here.

Household:

Supportive family and friends; surround yourself with them. Be prepared for a potentially mentally and emotionally challenging time. You may grieve for your old teeth or smile and wonder, ‘what have I done?’ during the initial healing phase. Joining a support group or reaching out to others that have been where you are may help. You can reach out to me via AO4+ Australia Facebook group for support and encouragement.

Remember, this is a process. It takes time to heal and to begin to see the fantastic new you that awaits, so have patience. Also, remember everyone is different. What works best for one person will be different for another. So find what works best for you.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this platform, including text, graphics, and images, is intended for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For specific dental concerns, it is crucial to consult with a qualified dental practitioner. They will be able to assess your individual circumstances, provide accurate diagnoses, and offer appropriate treatment options tailored to your specific needs

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