All-on-6 recovery, week by week

The first 24 hours

The Oral Health Foundation's advice after extractions applies here too:

• Rest and avoid heavy exercise.
• No smoking or alcohol: both can delay healing.
• Careful while numb: no hot food or drinks until feeling returns.
• Don't rinse or disturb the area unless told to; follow your dentist's advice on when to start gentle salt-water rinses.
• Head raised on extra pillows to reduce bleeding and swelling.
• Painkillers as advised. The OHF advises avoiding aspirin after extractions, as it can increase bleeding.

A little oozing is normal. If bleeding continues, bite firmly on clean gauze for 20 minutes. If heavy bleeding won't stop, contact your clinic.

A typical timeline

1. Days 1–3Swelling builds and peaks; soreness, possible bruising. Liquids and very soft food. Rest at home.
2. Days 4–7Swelling starts to settle. Many people feel ready for short walks and light tasks. Stitches may be checked or removed.
3. Weeks 2–4Most swelling gone. Speech settling with the temporary bridge. Soft diet continues; many people are back at desk work.
4. Months 1–4The implants bond with the bone. You feel normal day to day, but stick to soft foods and careful cleaning.
5. Around month 4Healing checked. Final bridge planned, tried in and fitted. See the procedure.

Eating during recovery

Soft, cool foods at first; then soft foods you can cut with a fork; never hard, crunchy or chewy foods on the temporary bridge. The full guide: eating after All-on-6.

When to contact your clinic

• Swelling that is getting worse after the third day.
• Pain that is increasing rather than improving.
• Bleeding that won't stop with pressure.
• A high temperature, or a bad taste or smell from the area.
• An implant or the temporary bridge that feels loose.

Get urgent help if you have difficulty swallowing or breathing. The Oral Health Foundation lists these, with spreading swelling, high temperature and severe bleeding, as reasons to seek help quickly.

Helping it heal well

• Don't smoke. If you can, stop well before surgery.
• Keep the area clean in the way your clinic shows you.
• Take any medicines exactly as prescribed.
• Keep follow-up appointments, including X-rays.

Recovering after treatment abroad? Flying, follow-up and UK aftercare are covered on All-on-6 in Turkey.

Common questions

How painful is All-on-6 recovery?

Most people describe soreness rather than severe pain, worst in the first few days and eased by painkillers your dentist recommends. Pain that gets worse after the first few days should be reported.

When can I go back to work after All-on-6?

Many people return to desk work within about a week. Physical jobs may need longer. Ask your surgeon about your own case, especially if both jaws were treated.

How long does swelling last?

Swelling usually builds over the first two or three days, then settles over the following week. Keeping your head raised and using cold packs as advised can help.

When can I exercise after All-on-6?

Avoid heavy exercise for the first days. The Oral Health Foundation advises taking it easy after extractions; return gradually as your surgeon advises.

When is All-on-6 fully healed?

Implants usually take around four months to bond with the bone, according to the Oral Health Foundation. The final bridge is fitted after that.

Sources

1. Oral Health Foundation — What to do following an extraction (first 24 hours, bleeding, warning signs)
2. Oral Health Foundation — Understanding dental implants (healing time)
3. British Society of Periodontology — Patient FAQs: dental implants (signs of complications)

Checked October 2026. Where we give our own view as a clinic, we say so.