Is it Painful to Get Dental Implants? What Patients Can Expect
Dental implants are the tooth loss treatment of choice among many dentists. Dental implants offer benefits that set them apart from other tooth loss solutions. Dental implants fuse with the jaw to provide a stable anchor for dental crowns, bridges, and dentures. Dental implants are the only tooth loss treatment that helps prevent jaw bone degeneration.
Patients considering dental implants for missing teeth may have concerns about surgical pain. Many come to Wyse Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, which serves Bloomington, IL, Champaign, IL, and surrounding areas, and ask, “Is it painful to get dental implants?” Here we discuss what patients can expect regarding discomfort during and after dental implant treatment.
Dental Implant Treatment
Dental implant treatment requires a series of dental procedures. The first stage of treatment involves oral surgery. During dental implant surgery, the dentist makes a small incision in the gum tissues at the area of tooth loss. The dentist places the dental implant (a small titanium screw) through this incision. Patients may receive one or more dental implants depending on how many teeth are missing. After all implants are in place, incisions are closed with small sutures.
Following dental implant surgery, patients recover for several months. During this time, patients heal and bone tissues in the jaw fuse around the implant in a process called osseointegration. Patients return for abutment placement three to six months after the initial procedure. Abutments are metal posts that connect dental implants to dental restorations. Restoration placement is the final stage of dental implant treatment.
Is Implant Surgery Painful?
Although dental implants offer several unique benefits, some of our Bloomington patients have trepidations about treatment because they worry it is painful. Before starting implant surgery, we use local or general anesthesia to numb the nerves. Anesthesia prevents pain during the surgical procedure. Some patients describe feeling slight pressure while implants are placed, but surgery should be pain-free.
What Can I Expect During Dental Implant Recovery?
Patients should not experience any pain during dental implant treatment. However, it is natural to experience some discomfort during dental implant recovery. Common side effects of dental implant treatment include:
- Inflammation
- Jaw pain or stiffness
- Pain in the teeth or gums surrounding the treatment site
- Gum sensitivity
Post-surgical pain is temporary. Discomfort is usually most prominent during the first couple of days after treatment. Pain and discomfort should subside as tissues heal, with most side effects resolving within a week after treatment.
Is it Normal to Continue Experiencing Pain After Dental Implant Recovery?
Some discomfort is normal while healing from dental implant treatment and adjusting to new dental restorations. However, pain should not linger beyond the recovery period. When patients experience prolonged pain or discomfort that worsens rather than improves, it may indicate a complication such as infection or an improperly fitted implant. Lasting or intense pain should be reported to the dentist promptly
Contact Wyse Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
Dental implant treatment is one of the most beneficial solutions for tooth loss. Individuals who would like to learn more about the advantages of dental implants and whether they are ideal candidates for treatment can contact Wyse Family & Cosmetic Dentistry to schedule a consultation at their earliest convenience.
