Is Dental Implant Painful? Discover How To Deal With Discomfort

Dental implants are a dependable and long-term solution for patients missing one or more teeth. Many people worry about whether dental implants are painful since the surgery involves inserting a prosthetic tooth root into the jawbone. However, with current anaesthesia techniques and pain medications, the majority of patients experience very little discomfort. Here is a rundown of the dental implant procedure and where you can expect to feel some discomfort. 

How much pain is associated with dental implant surgery?

The dental implant procedure is usually done with a local anaesthetic, but sedation is an available option if you’re worried. After the anaesthesia has numbed the area, the dentist will make a tiny cut in the gum. They will then create a small flap in the gum to reveal the jawbone.

After that, the dentist will place the implant into a small hole they make in the jawbone. They will then stitch back the gum flap so it covers the implant entirely. The area is left to heal for approximately 3-4 months while the bone and implant fuse together during osseointegration. This gives a dependable and robust base to which an artificial tooth (or teeth) can be securely attached.

Will you feel pain during the dental implant process? It’s unlikely as your mouth will be numb throughout the procedure. The pain medication prescribed by your dentist should prevent any discomfort once the anaesthetic wears off and during healing.

It’s important to note that you might feel some discomfort after the surgery, as it involves gum and jaw trauma. However, discomfort is not identical to pain. More often than not, having a single implant placed is less painful and causes less discomfort than multiple implants, especially if they’re placed in different parts of the mouth. Your discomfort levels are likely to vary during the healing process.

How to deal with discomfort and pain after dental implant surgery?

It is vital to keep your mouth and implants clean after dental implant surgery. Use a toothbrush and toothpaste to clean your remaining teeth, but avoid the implant areas until they have healed. Rinse your mouth with saline or salt water to help the healing process, as salt has natural restorative properties. In addition, salt water creates a more alkaline environment in the mouth, which eliminates harmful bacteria that typically grow in acidic environments.

Not only is it vital to keep your mouth clean, but you should also change your diet so that you don’t damage the surgical site and cause dental implant pain. Soft foods that don’t need to be chewed and a liquid diet should be followed for the first few days. Gradually increase solid foods as your mouth heals.

It might be a sign of infection if you experience discomfort or pain after ten days. In this case, you should contact your dentist as soon as possible for an evaluation.

When are dental implants painful?

Immediately after surgery

Dental implant surgery is a delicate procedure. You are more likely to experience discomfort and symptoms associated with the trauma of the surgery rather than dental implant pain. You may experience bleeding, swelling and bruising around the incision site, gums or face. You may also have jaw pain or stiffness. To reduce swelling, apply ice packs to your face regularly during the first 24 hours after surgery.

Months or years after your dental implants are placed

Although dental implants are safe for the majority of patients, complications can still occur. Dental implant pain or discomfort can occur long after the implant is placed and may be caused by implant failure or peri-implantitis. Peri-implantitis is a disease that affects the tissues and bones around dental implants. It starts with inflammation of the gums and can progress to loss of gum tissue and bone supporting the implant, which eventually leads to implant failure.

Symptoms may include:

• Jawbone deterioration
• Inflammation in the gums around tooth implants
• Discomfort or pain when you press on the area where your dental implant is located

How to take care of tooth implants?

Although dental implants don’t necessitate additional care, you must still take proper care of them through daily brushing and flossing, as well as going to the dentist for regular check-ups. Dentists are specially trained to spot problems you might not be able to see, and they can deal with them before they become bigger issues.

It’s beneficial to your health overall to avoid smoking and drinking, but it’s especially key to steer clear of these substances if you have dental implants.

Although dental implants are long-lasting, they can still chip, break, and crack. Your dental implant can last a lifetime with proper care. Avoid the following habits to keep your implant in top shape:

• Chewing on hard candies
• Not wearing a dental night guard if you clench your teeth
• Chewing on pens
• Chewing on ice

You can help keep your gums and implant clean and free of debris by using unwaxed tape floss or specialised dental floss for implants.

Taking these steps will help keep you safe from dental implant pain and discomfort. If you have any questions about tooth implants or think you might benefit from them, don’t hesitate to contact our office today! Our dental team would be glad to provide more information and discuss what dental implants can do for you. 

Should you get tooth implants?

Dental implants are a popular way to fill in the gaps for missing teeth, and people of any age can get them. However, there are certain things that must be true prior to the procedure in order for it to be successful.

• To be a candidate for tooth implants, you must have enough bone density to support the implant as well as healthy gum tissue.
• You must commit to visiting your dentist regularly and maintaining good dental hygiene.
• You should expect to undergo a long treatment process, as it typically takes three to six months for an implant to fuse completely with the jawbone. 

Why are dental implants so popular?

Dental implants are popular because they offer a permanent solution to missing teeth. Unlike dentures, which can require frequent adjustments and often feel uncomfortable, dental implants are strong and stable replacements that look and function like your natural teeth.

As an added bonus, the process is largely non-invasive. The implant is inserted into the jawbone with a minor surgical procedure.

When done correctly, dental implants don’t cause pain or discomfort after the surgery is complete. The success rate is quite high, and the results are long-lasting. With proper care, tooth implants can last a lifetime. 

Get dental implants at DDSS/DDII

You can ensure that having dental implants placed is not a painful experience by managing your pain with medication and dental care. By keeping your teeth clean and avoiding gum disease, you can avoid problems that might make your implants fail. At DDSS/DDII, our experienced dentists are equipped with advanced technologies to ensure your dental implant is placed properly and is of the highest quality. 

Call us today to book your appointment. We are looking forward to seeing you!

Sydney: (02) 8294 5812
Gosford:(02) 8294 8656
Eastwood:(02) 9299 8842

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

References

Is It Common to Experience Pain After Getting Dental Implants?
https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/dental-implant-pain

Is Your Dental Implant Pain Normal?
https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/implants/is-your-dental-implant-pain-normal