If you’re considering dental implants, you might be wondering if the treatment is painful. While it’s normal to feel some discomfort during and after the procedure, most patients report that the overall experience is manageable and well worth the results.
Keep reading to learn more about what to expect from dental implants. And are dental implants painful or not?
Define What a Dental Implant Is
A dental implant is a permanent fixture that replaces the root of a missing tooth. It is an artificial tooth root made of titanium that bonds with the jawbone, providing a strong foundation for an artificial tooth or bridge.
The implant itself sits below the gum line and acts as an anchor for the new teeth. Placing implants in the mouth requires precision and skill, as it needs to be placed correctly for optimal long-term stability and success.
The end result is strong, healthy teeth that look and function like natural ones.
Why People Get Dental Implants
Dental implants have become a popular treatment for those looking to replace missing teeth or support existing dentures. People may choose dental implants for many reasons, including enhanced appearance, better comfort, improved speech and increased self-esteem.
Getting dental implants can benefit oral health by preventing jawbone loss associated with tooth extraction or missing tooth structures, maintaining the integrity of adjacent teeth and reducing the amount of gum irritation that loose dentures can create.
Implants also provide a natural feeling of comfort since they are permanently secured into place. Finally, implants are often more cost-effective than other replacement options as they require less maintenance and last longer than other treatments.
For these reasons, dental implants can be an excellent choice for people in need of tooth replacement solutions.
Implants can also be an effective treatment for restoring lost one tooth or multiple teeth, helping you regaining back your confident smile.
The Process of Getting a Dental Implant
The dental implant procedure is a complex but rewarding treatment for those looking to improve their dental health.
Like any surgical or invasive procedure, your dentist will start by taking a dental X-ray or MRI and will assess whether the patient has no dental or gum disease and is a suitable candidate for the procedure.
Preparations need to occur prior to surgery, including consultations, dental planning and assessing the condition of the jaw bone to determine whether you need a bone graft or notion the dental implant site.
During the surgery, the dental implant is inserted into the jawbone, and it must be ensured that proper healing occurs in order for it to be functional.
After the dental implant placement, additional steps are needed, such as positioning and fixing the abutment/crowns on top of it as well as regular checkups.
With dentists experienced with this process, dental implants can not only restore good dental health but also provide people with greater confidence in their smile.
How Long Does The Recovery Process Take?
The dental implant recovery process can vary from person to person, depending on factors such as an individual’s age, genetics, and dental history. It is important to follow your dental team’s instructions for aftercare, paying attention to the healing of incisions and keeping the area clean.
Generally, it takes around three months for dental implants to become sufficiently integrated with bone tissue and able to restore functionality.
During this time, it is best practice to avoid applying too much force with the implants in order to allow them the proper amount of time needed for the tissues and bones surrounding them to heal properly.
Once healed, dental implants can be expected to provide years of reliable service while freeing individuals from many of the inconveniences associated with other forms of tooth replacement.
Pain Associated With Dental Implants
You can rest assured that dental implant surgery is pain-free since anesthesia will be used, ranging from local to sedative or general. So take comfort in knowing you won’t feel a thing during the process!
Your dentist will discuss the type of anaesthesia that is best suited for your unique needs before surgery, so you can be sure to remain pain-free during the procedure.
Pain After The Surgery
You might experience a bit of pain or discomfort after your dental implant surgery, but rest assured that it won’t last long, typically within a few days.
When the local anaesthesia from the procedure wears off, you may feel like this sensation is worse. It’s likely to be located right around where your dental implant was inserted into place.
- bleeding at the surgery site
- swelling around the gums and the face
- minor bruising
- jaw pain
Risks Associated With Getting Dental Implants
Dental implants are a popular dental solution to replace missing teeth, but this invasive procedure carries risks that should be considered prior to embarking on the treatment.
Infection
Infection at the implant site is one of the most common risks associated with dental implants, and depending on the severity, it may take some time to fully recover from.
Implant failure
Dental implants are typically quite successful, but however, a few people experience implant failure. Estimates reveal that roughly 5-10% of implants will fail either shortly post-procedure or after some time has passed.
Allergic reaction
If you’re sensitive to titanium alloy, a metal commonly used in some dental implants, you might experience an allergic reaction. Symptoms of an allergy include swelling around the implant area, loss of taste sensation and even tingling or numbness at times.
It’s important to know the potential risks, so whenever you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to contact your dentist immediately.
Despite these potential risks, dental implants are usually a great long-term investment in dental health as long as clients follow their dental professionals’ instructions closely.
Is It Common For Dental Implants to be Painful?
Whether or not dental implants are painful depends on how well the procedure is executed and how quickly a patient’s body recovers.
In some cases, discomfort around the area of the implant can be expected for a few days after the procedure. However, it should subside relatively quickly and should never persist for more than 7 to 10 days.
If the pain does last longer than this or is unusually intense, it is wise to contact your dentist to discuss any follow-up care or treatment that may be necessary.
Dental implant surgery is a popular and effective way to replace missing teeth. The surgery itself is usually fairly straightforward, but it’s not unusual for patients to experience some pain afterwards.
If you’re considering dental implants, it’s important to be prepared for this possibility. Talk to your dentist about what you can expect in terms of postoperative pain before having the procedure so that you can be prepared. And if you do experience pain after your surgery, don’t hesitate to reach out to your dentist for help managing it.
At Lyndarum Family Dentist in Epping VIC, we’re committed to helping our patients have a positive experience from start to finish. Contact us on (03) 9626 9581 today for more information about dental implants or any of our other services.
Disclaimer: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
Sources
After Your Oral Surgery
https://dental.washington.edu/wp-content/media/oral-surgery/Afteryouroralsurgery.pdf
Care after minor oral surgery
https://www.cda-adc.ca/en/oral_health/talk/procedures/oral_surgery/
Will my dental implant procedure be painful?
https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/dental-implant-pain
Dental implants
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470448/
What to expect after getting dental implants
https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/what-expect-after-dental-implants
Considering dental implants? Here are 5 things you should know
https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/5-things-you-should-know-about-dental-implants
Clinical and microbiological determinants of ailing dental implants.
https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Clinical-and-microbiological-determinants-of-ailing-Tabanella-Nowzari/7312d75a5a9b512cd104e18cc8af53c2d349175c?p2df
Pain Experience after Dental Implant Placement Compared to Tooth Extraction
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8424234/
