Implant Surgery & Support
Your All-on-4 recovery
What actually happens week by week — from the day of surgery through to final bridge delivery four to six months later.
The recovery journey
Day of surgery
Implants are placed and a temporary prosthesis attached before you leave, so you go home with a full set of teeth. If you had IV sedation, arrange transport home. Swelling, mild bruising, and discomfort are all normal and expected.
Days 1-7 — the most intensive period
Swelling peaks around days two to three and subsides by day five. Diet is restricted to soft foods — soups, smoothies, scrambled eggs, yogurt, mashed vegetables. Prescribed medication manages pain, and many patients return to desk work within three to five days.
Weeks 2-4 — significant improvement
Discomfort diminishes markedly, and most patients feel largely normal by week two. Diet gradually expands to firmer soft foods. Follow-up appointments monitor healing and adjust the temporary prosthesis.
Months 2-5 — integration
The quiet phase. Implants undergo osseointegration, bonding with the jawbone, while the temporary prosthesis stays functional. Avoid biting hard objects directly during this period.
Recovery questions
How long is the entire All-on-4 process? +
From consultation to final bridge delivery, typically four to six months.
Can I return to work after surgery? +
Many patients return to desk work within three to five days. Physical labour or extensive speaking requires waiting until you are comfortable. Recovery varies with the extent of the procedure and your general health.
When can I eat normal foods again? +
Softer normal foods by week two. By week four you can gradually introduce firmer foods. Avoid very hard or sticky foods for several weeks.
What medications will I be given? +
Pain medication and antibiotics to prevent infection. Some patients find over-the-counter pain relief sufficient after the first few days.
How do I care for the temporary prosthesis? +
Gentle rinsing from day one, with brushing around the surgical sites resuming gradually. The prosthesis should not be removed.
When is the final prosthesis delivered? +
Once integration is confirmed through imaging, typically at four to six months, the final prosthesis is designed, fabricated, and attached.
Life with your All-on-4 implants
With proper care — daily hygiene, regular maintenance visits, and managing any tooth grinding — implants can last decades.
Annual check-ups and periodic imaging keep everything in optimal condition and catch small problems long before they become expensive ones.
Questions about your procedure?
Call (905) 479-7777 with any question about recovery — before or after surgery.