ARE
DENTAL
IMPLANTS
PAINFUL?
Getting dental implants is a life-changing
experience.
People who have lived with missing teeth
for years can suddenly smile again.
Hearing that you are a candidate
for implants can also help you feel
better about an extraction.
The benefits of dental implants are clear.
Implants are better than dentures
for preventing the loss of bone in your jaw.
While implants are amazing,
they do require a surgical procedure.
This is where many people start
to get worried.
Dental anxiety is often centered
upon pain.
You can rest assured that getting
implants shouldn’t hurt anymore than
other procedures.
In fact, many patients say that any pain
that they felt is comparable to other
types of dental treatment.
Do Preliminary
Procedures Hurt?
Many people need to get implants
in stages.
Tooth extractions, bone grafts
and sinus lifts are the most
common procedures to need
before you get implants.
Sinus Lift
Sinus Lift
with Bone Graft
These are also surgical procedures
that come with the potential
for pain.
You’ll receive similar types of pain
relief treatment for any oral surgery
that you experience.
Sinus Lift
Sinus Lift
with Bone Graft
How Do Dentists
Ease Pain During
the Surgery?
There are two main ways that dentists
relieve pain.
Local anesthesia typically involves your
dentist injecting medication into your
gums or cheek that eases discomfort.
Most people only feel a mild pinch during
this part of the procedure.
A topical anesthetic is often rubbed
on the injection site beforehand to make
it even more comfortable.
If you’ve ever had a filling or any other
major dental work, then you have likely
already experienced this form of anesthetic.
How Do Dentists
Ease Pain During
the Surgery?
Sedation is another option that
your dentist can use to relieve pain
and anxiety.
This type of anesthesia takes several
different forms.
Nitrous oxide has sedating effects
that wear off quickly.
Oral sedation involves taking
a prescribed medication that
helps you relax.
Depending upon the level of sedation
that you receive, you should remember
very little or nothing at all about
the procedure.
With both local anesthesia and sedation,
you might feel some pressure but not
serious pain.
What Causes
Pain After
the Procedure?
Most of the pain associated with dental
implants comes after the procedure
is over.
Even then, the pain should be
mild enough to respond to normal
relief methods.
Some people feel soreness
and swelling along their gums.
You might also feel some slight
discomfort when you eat or put
pressure on the implant site.
This is normal and usually eases up
within the first few days to a week.
How Do You Treat
Pain at Home?
The pain after your surgery should be mild enough
to respond to over-the-counter pain medications.
Your dentist might also recommend rinsing with
warm salt water after a certain period of time.
Sticking to a liquid or soft diet for the first
several days is another step that prevents
a secondary injury from causing you pain.
What Counts
as Abnormal Pain?
Any discomfort that you feel should
start to improve a few days after
the procedure.
By the 2 week mark, most people
no longer have any pain.
As a general rule, you’ll want to report
any pain that increases beyond the third
or fourth day.
This is especially important if it is
accompanied by other symptoms
such as increased redness or swelling.
Severe pain after a dental implant could
be a sign of an infection or poor healing.
With modern dentistry techniques,
there is no reason for anyone to fear
getting dental implants.
In fact, this procedure is often a huge relief
to people who have dealt with tooth pain
for years.
During your implant consultation,
we’ll go over your pain relief options
so that you are informed and ready
for your new teeth.
Noble Dental Care is a family oriented
dental care clinic with dentists that
care about you and your health.
Give us the opportunity to give you
the smile of your dreams.
Call us for an appointment
at (480) 820-3515.