Dental implants provide a lasting and reliable solution for patients who have lost one or more natural teeth. Since dental implants require a surgical procedure to insert a prosthetic tooth root into the jawbone, many people question whether they will be painful. Nevertheless, most patients don’t feel much pain with today’s anaesthesia and pain medications. The following is a detailed account of the dental implant procedure and where you might experience discomfort.
How painful is dental implant surgery?
If the thought of dental surgery fills you with dread, don’t worry – you can opt for sedation on top of the local anaesthetic. After numbing the area with anaesthesia, the dentist will cut a small opening in the gum. They will then lift a tiny flap of skin to reveal the jawbone.
The dentist will make a small hole in the jawbone before placing the implant inside. They will then stitch up the gum flap to ensure that it covers the implant completely. After the implant is placed, it will usually take around 3-4 months for the bone and implant to fuse together (osseointegration). During this time, the area will be left to heal.
Will you experience any pain during the dental implant process? It is unlikely that you will feel anything during the procedure as your mouth will be numb. The medicine your dentist gives you should stop any discomfort after the anaesthesia wears off and while you’re healing.
You may feel discomfort after surgery due to gum and jaw trauma. Discomfort is not the same as pain. Most of the time, it’s less painful and more comfortable to have a single implant rather than multiple implants. This is especially true if they would go in different parts of your mouth. The level of discomfort you feel is likely to change as you heal.
How can I reduce discomfort and pain after dental implant surgery?
After having dental implant surgery, it is essential to keep your mouth and implants clean. Gently brush your remaining teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste, making sure not to touch the implant areas until they have healed. Swish around salt water to jump-start the healing process, as salt has restorative properties. Also, making your mouth more alkaline with salt water gets rid of harmful bacteria that develop in acidic conditions.
A diet change is just as important as keeping your mouth clean post-surgery to avoid dental implant pain. For the first few days, it’s recommended that you follow a soft food and liquid diet. As your mouth begins to heal, you can slowly incorporate solid foods into your diet.
If you start to feel pain or discomfort ten days after your procedure, it may be a sign of infection. In this case, please contact your dentist immediately for an evaluation.
At what point during the dental implant process do patients begin to feel pain?
Immediately after dental implant surgery
Because dental implant surgery is delicate, you will more likely feel discomfort due to the surgery itself rather than pain from the implants. It is not uncommon to experience swelling, bleeding, and bruising around the gums, incision site, or face. You may also experience jaw pain or stiffness. Regularly applying ice packs to your face during the first 24 hours after surgery will help reduce swelling.
Months or years after your implants are placed
While dental implants are mostly safe, some complications can still happen. Discomfort around a dental implant long after it is placed may be due to implant failure or peri-implantitis. Peri-implant disease is an inflammatory condition that attacks both the hard and soft gum tissues surrounding dental implants. If unchecked, it can progress from inflammation of the gums to loss of gum tissue and bone supporting the tooth implant, eventually leading to implant failure.
Common symptoms are:
- Dental implant discomfort when pressure is applied to the area around the implant
- Deterioration of the jawbone
- Inflammation in the gums surrounding implants
How to look after dental implants?
Regular dental check-ups
Making sure to see your dentist regularly is a good way to help keep your implants healthy and lasting for a long time. Dentists can play a vital role in preserving the longevity of your dental implants by catching problems early and providing appropriate treatments or professional cleanings.
Quit smoking
Quitting smoking is key to maintaining good health. Cigarette smoking can result in a much higher rate of complications and reduced success rates following implant surgery. Over time, smoking tobacco can lead to gum disease, tooth loss, and even periodontitis.
Keep in mind that quitting smoking is a huge change, and you will need to adjust your lifestyle accordingly. For example, to manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms, you can exercise or socialise with non-smokers.
Floss and brush daily
You should brush twice a day as part of your oral hygiene routine. A soft-bristled toothbrush and low-abrasive toothpaste are recommended to use to remove the plaque around your teeth gently, implants included, without any scratching that could damage your gums or cause discomfort in your mouth.
Interdental brushes are perfect for accessing those hard-to-reach areas of your mouth that a normal toothbrush just can’t reach. An interdental brush isn’t like a regular toothbrush -it’s actually made to help you clean plaque and food debris in between your dental implants and teeth.
Brushing isn’t the only thing you have to do to keep your teeth healthy- floss at least once a day, too. Dental floss does a better job of getting rid of any plaque buildup in hard-to-reach places that an interdental brush can’t access. If the standard dental floss is very difficult for you to use, opt for floss threaders instead.
Using an antimicrobial mouthwash as part of your daily oral hygiene routine will not only wash out any bacteria in your mouth, but it will also help strengthen the enamel on your regular teeth. Not to mention, your mouth will feel fresher after brushing, flossing, and rinsing.
What are the signs someone is a candidate for tooth implants?
- They are not a smoker
- They are vigilant about good dental hygiene practices
- Their gums and teeth are in good health
- They have a sufficient bone density
Get dental implants at Infinity Dental Care
At Infinity Dental Care, we provide professional dental implant treatments. Our dentists are experts in their field and are highly qualified to carry out dental implant fittings. You deserve our full dedication and best attention, which is precisely what we will give you. Our goal is to help you regain your smile and confidence with long-lasting and comfortable results.
Call us at (02) 9159 6237 to schedule your appointment. We look forward to helping you!
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
Everything to Know About a Dental Implant Procedure
https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/dental-implant-procedure
Is Your Dental Implant Pain Normal?
https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/implants/is-your-dental-implant-pain-normal