Dental implants are a popular, permanent solution to missing teeth. Dental implants improve your smile’s appearance and allow for clearer speech and easier eating, leading to higher self-esteem.
Getting dental implants is a surgical procedure, and as with any surgery, there is a risk of pain following getting implants. However, there are steps you can take before, during, and after surgery that can reduce any discomfort.
If you’re wondering do dental implants hurt after they are placed, learn about the procedure and what steps you can take to reduce dental implant pain. If you are considering dental implants, get a free consultation at your local clinic.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are metal posts surgically implanted in your jawbone and topped with an artificial restoration to replace damaged or missing teeth. Dental implants offer an alternative to dentures or bridgework and are permanent once surgically placed.
The dental implant procedure is a minor surgery typically performed in several steps. The entire process can take up to nine months since the titanium in the implant takes time to completely fuse with your jawbone so your replacement teeth won’t slip or cause bone damage. Because dental implants fuse with the bone, they can provide a level of comfort and stability not possible with other tooth replacement methods.
The dental implant procedure is very safe, and when problems arise, they are usually minor and easily treatable.
Do Dental Implants Hurt After?: Before the Procedure
Before getting implants, your dentist must perform a comprehensive dental exam to determine if you are a good candidate. This can minimise the risk of post-surgical complications that could cause dental implant pain. Your dentist will take X-rays and digital scans to assess your jawbone density and gum health.
Your dentist will also review your medical history before the procedure. If you have a heart condition or orthopedic implants, you may be required to take antibiotics to prevent infection after the dental implant procedure.
Your dentist will also communicate the procedure’s risks, including infection at the implant site, damage to surrounding teeth or blood vessels, and nerve damage which can lead to dental implant pain.
If you have few or no remaining teeth, you may be a candidate for All-On-4 dental implants, which can support an entire arch of artificial teeth. This quick surgery allows you to leave the clinic with your replacement teeth in a single visit. Not all dentists offer All-on-4 implants, and the procedure isn’t suitable for everyone. Visit a dentist that offers a free consultation who can determine if All-on-4s are appropriate for your oral health.
Do Dental Implants Hurt After?: During the Procedure
The dental implant procedure involves multiple steps and can take months from start to finish (unless you’re getting All-on-4s).
The process includes:
- Removing the damaged tooth or teeth
- Grafting the jawbone (when needed)
- Placing the implant
- Waiting for the implant to fuse with the jawbone
- Placing the abutment and artificial tooth or teeth
To control dental implant pain during the procedure, your oral surgeon injects a local anaesthetic around the implant site. Advanced Dental Care also offers sedation dentistry for anxious patients and those with a sensitive gag reflex.
Sedation dentistry uses sedatives administered via IV line or nitrous oxide inhalation through a face mask. Sedation dentistry ensures you are comfortable and relaxed throughout the procedure, but you can still respond to your dentist.
Do Dental Implants Hurt After?: After the Procedure
Most people report minimal dental implant pain after the implant procedure. You may experience some of the typical discomforts that follow oral surgery for up to a week. These symptoms include swelling of your gums or face, bruising around your gums, pain at the dental implant site, and minor bleeding.
If the swelling, bruising, or discomfort worsens after a week following your dental implant procedure, contact your dentist as soon as possible. In rare cases, you may experience nerve damage after the dental implant procedure, which can result in numbness or tingling in the lips and chin. However, this type of dental implant pain is usually temporary and resolves independently within a few months.
If you experience increased discomfort accompanied by nausea, fever, or bad breath, you may have an infection called peri-implantitis. This infection can cause bone and soft tissue loss. Removing the implant and treating the infection with antibiotics requires immediate treatment.
After the procedure, it is crucial to practice excellent oral hygiene to keep your implants, gum tissue, and artificial teeth clean and healthy. Protect your teeth long-term by scheduling routine dental checkups and cleanings.
Dental Implant Procedures at Available Dental Care
If you are considering a dental implant procedure, fear of discomfort should not keep you from getting the treatment you need to keep your smile healthy. Getting dental implants can save you from costly and more painful dental procedures down the road.
If you are interested in dental implants, schedule a free dental consultation near you. Available Dental Care offers traditional and All-On-Four dental implants that can restore the aesthetics and functionality of your teeth.
Call Available Dental Care today on (02) 4062 8763 or book an appointment.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
Dental implant surgery
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/dental-implant-surgery/about-us/pac-20384622
Dental implant procedure
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dental-implant