Are Dental Implants Painful?

Undergoing a procedure of dental implant placement might be daunting, and patients typically want to know: Are dental implants painful? In this article, we discuss what sensations and symptoms you might expect during and after a dental implant surgery.

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Are Dental Implants Painful?

When talking about whether dental implants are painful or not, we need to distinguish between the procedure of getting dental implants and the recovery period after the procedure:

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Is The Procedure of Dental Implants Painful?

Dental implant placement is a surgical procedure that is performed using a local anesthetic or one of the sedation options available in dental offices. Therefore, the procedure itself will most likely not cause you any significant pain. You might experience discomfort when getting an anesthetic injection, but the sensation is brief and typically goes away in under a minute. Also, some discomfort during the procedure might be associated with having to remain in the same position and keeping your mouth open for an extended period.

In cases when a dentist anticipates the procedure to be complicated or the patient has acute dental anxiety, high tolerance to local anesthetics, or finds it challenging to remain in one position for a long time, sedation might be recommended. There are several sedation options available in dentistry:

• Nitrous oxide, also called “laughing gas,” is inhaled via a mask and helps the patient feel more at ease during the procedure.
• Oral sedation is taken by mouth in a pill form, which helps the patient relax and might cause drowsiness.
• IV (intravenous) sedation is delivered into the bloodstream via injection. It is the strongest conscious sedation, which might make the patient fall asleep during the procedure and have little memory of it afterward.
• General anesthesia is unconscious sedation that is rarely used in dentistry but might be employed in cases of especially complicated dental surgeries.

If you anticipate difficulties with going through the procedure of dental implants, talk to your dental surgeon about sedation options during the initial consultation. Some of the sedation options require preliminary tests and preparation, so your doctor has to know in advance whether or not you require sedation.

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Is The Recovery After a Dental Implant Surgery Painful?

Since a dental implant is placed directly into the jawbone, it will require more time for healing compared to other dental procedures. The implant will have to fuse with the bone and become stable to be able to support a crown. The recovery period can cause some pain and discomfort and comes with diet and lifestyle restrictions.

During the first seven to ten days after the procedure, the following symptoms are to be expected:

• Swelling in the jaw
• Bruising of the face in the area where the implant was placed
• Minor bleeding (on the first day after the surgery)
• Soreness of the gums and the jaw
• Stiffness or pain when opening the mouth
• Pain at the surgery site

Gradually, these symptoms will go away, and you will be able to return to your typical daily routine. However, it usually takes several months for the implant to heal and fuse with the bone completely. To make the initial recovery less stressful, we recommend following these tips:

• If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, take the entire course to avoid infections and complications.
• Take over-the-counter painkillers, such as ibuprofen, to combat pain and soreness. However, remember to adhere to the instructions provided with the medication and do not exceed the recommended daily dose. Such medication also should not be taken long-term.
• Use cold compresses to alleviate swelling and bruising. Apply a compress to the outer side of your cheek in the area where the implant was installed and hold it for 15 minutes at a time. Take 30-minute breaks between applications.
• Do not consume alcohol and tobacco products (via smoking or in other forms) because they slow down regeneration.
• Switch to a liquid diet for the first 2 to 3 days after the procedure (broth, smoothies, yogurt, etc.) and then follow up with a soft diet for the next 7 to 10 days (mashed potatoes, pureed soups, etc.). Also, do not chew your food on the surgery side of the mouth.
• Abstain from sport and other strenuous activities for at least 10 days after the procedure.
• Keep your mouth clean by brushing and flossing your teeth and using saltwater rinses to prevent infections.

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Get Reliable Dental Implants at Smile Dental Boutique

Make an appointment with a highly qualified dentist at the Smile Dental Boutique office today. In our clinic, we employ state-of-the-art methods and high-quality materials to deliver reliable and long-lasting results to our patients. Our dental implant specialists look forward to welcoming you to our dental office.