01
The first few days
Swelling, tenderness, bruising and small amounts of bleeding can occur. Follow the written instructions for medicines, mouth care, rest and diet. Do not add or change medication without appropriate clinical advice.
Travel plans should allow for planned reviews and a margin for unexpected concerns. Confirm when it is considered appropriate for you to fly and who to contact outside clinic hours.
02
Eating with a provisional bridge
Immediate provisional teeth are designed to protect appearance and basic function while implants heal; they are not permission to return immediately to a normal hard diet. Excessive force can disturb healing or damage the provisional restoration.
Your clinician should give a staged eating plan and explain which textures to avoid. If the bite feels uneven or the bridge feels mobile, contact the treating team rather than waiting.
03
Warning signs
Seek prompt professional advice for bleeding that does not settle, rapidly increasing swelling, fever, difficulty breathing or swallowing, persistent numbness, severe or escalating pain, discharge, a mobile bridge or a change in your bite.
The treating clinic should give you a written emergency route. If you are seriously unwell in the UK, use local urgent medical or dental services.
04
From healing to the final bridge
Healing and integration take time. Reviews may include tissue assessment, bite adjustment, imaging and confirmation that the implants can support the intended final restoration.
Before the final bridge is accepted, discuss appearance, speech, comfort, cleaning access, material, repairability and the maintenance schedule.