If you have to get a dental implant done, one of the first questions you may ask is, “Are dental implants painful?”
While these procedures are necessary and helpful, the idea of someone drilling into your jaw can be daunting. The good news is that an excellent dentist will be able to get you through the dental implant process with minimal discomfort.
However, as with any surgery, you’re likely to experience some small amount of pain during or after the procedure.
Are dental implants painful? Read on to learn more about this process.
How the Dental Implant Process Works
Before we dive into what you can expect on the pain front during your dental implant procedure, let’s talk about how this procedure works. The whole process happens over the course of months and begins with the tooth root implant. During this procedure, your dentist will make an incision in your gum and then use a screw to implant the base of the tooth in your jaw.
You’ll have a few months to recover from your initial procedure while your jaw forms around your implant. After you heal, your dentist will put in an abutment that will serve as a base for your new tooth. Finally, the new tooth will be installed, and you’ll have your smile back to its most radiant!
Pain During the Procedure
While the idea of someone screwing something into your jaw may sound daunting, the good news is that you don’t have any nerve endings in your jaw! You may feel some pressure during this part of the procedure, but you won’t feel any pain from the drilling or screwing process. As for the incision in your jaw, your dentist will provide you with a local anesthetic so you don’t feel a thing.
You may feel a slight pinch from the needle when your doctor gives you the local anesthetic, but going forward you shouldn’t feel any pain during the implant procedure. You will be awake for the procedure, so be sure to let your dentist know if you are in pain.
Your dentist can also give you a sedative to make the implant process less stressful for you.
Pain After the Procedure
As your local anesthetic wears off after your implant procedure, you will likely experience some level of pain. You may have discomfort in your chin, in your cheeks, or underneath your eyes. This pain shouldn’t last more than a few days, and it should never be unbearable.
Your dentist will likely recommend you take ibuprofen or another painkiller to manage your discomfort while you recover. You can use an ice pack to ease pain and swelling, and you should stick to soft foods for a couple of weeks after your procedure. Rinsing with warm salt water a couple of times a day can also help to reduce swelling and make you more comfortable.
So, Are Dental Implants Painful?
Dental implants can be a great way to deal with the loss of a tooth, but many patients find themselves wondering, “Are dental implants painful?” While you may experience some pain for a few days after the procedure, it shouldn’t last more than a week. You won’t feel any pain during the procedure itself, thanks to the local anesthetic.
If you’d like to find an amazing dentist for your dental implant procedure, check out the rest of our site at Westchase Smile Institute. We handle implants, as well as general dentistry with efficient, gentle visits.
Learn more about our dental implant services today and get $500 off the cost of implants, abutments, and crowns.
