For many people, dental implants are an excellent method of tooth replacement. However, implants aren’t a quick fix and can take between 6 and 9 months to complete. Multiple steps are involved in the dental implant procedure, with several weeks waiting for the mouth and gums to heal between each stage. Everyone’s pain threshold is different, but we explain below what can generally be expected and when you should seek advice from your dentist.
Teeth implant pain – what to expect during surgery
Dental implant surgery is the part of the dental procedure that most people worry about, but there is no need. Receiving a dental implant is minor surgery, and because the dentist will first numb your mouth with a local anaesthetic, you shouldn’t feel a thing. Furthermore, most dentists offer dental sedation to help patients relax during surgery and in this instance, most people have little or no recollection of the surgery.
Tooth implants pain following surgery
Once the effects of the anaesthetic have worn off and your mouth is no longer numb, you may feel some pain or discomfort, but this should subside within a few days.
Other symptoms you may experience include:
- Facial swelling and swollen gums
- Bleeding at the surgical site
- Jaw pain
- Minor bruising
It’s critical to follow your dentist’s instructions to manage and reduce pain after surgery. Caring for dental implants at this stage may include:
- Getting plenty of rest on the day of surgery and for a few subsequent days depending on how you feel
- Avoiding overly hot and cold foods for the first 24 hours
- Taking prescription and over the counter medications to ease pain
- Placing ice packs on the outside of the cheeks to reduce swelling
- Keeping the surgical site clean and free from infection (as instructed by your dentist)
How long should pain and discomfort last after dental implant surgery?
If everything heals as it should, any pain should only be temporary. It could last between 3 and 5 days, but you may only need to take painkillers for two days.
Bruising, swelling, and jaw stiffness may last a little longer at around 7 to 10 days after surgery.
The recovery period isn’t so much about your healing, per se, but more about the bone tissue integrating with the implant in a process called osseointegration to provide a stable foundation for the implant, enabling it to support a prosthetic tooth or dental crown.
During this phase, patients will need to visit the dental clinic regularly to monitor their progress and ensure that all is going as planned. Infection is the number one cause of dental implant failure, which is why we’re meticulous about using hand sanitiser before and after surgery to help prevent the spread of disease and infection.
Patients and staff are encouraged to use hand sanitiser whenever they move around the clinic to keep everyone safe. It’s also a good idea to have a container of hand sanitiser in your home and use it before placing your hand anywhere near your mouth and your dental implants after surgery.
So now you know the importance of doing all you can to prevent infection, let’s talk a little more about dental implants pain.
Causes of throbbing pain after dental implant surgery
Patients generally shouldn’t feel throbbing pain for an extended time after surgery. A few hours later, you may experience sharp pain as the anaesthesia wears off, but this should ease with painkillers and time.
Some complications after the dental implants procedure could cause additional pain. If you experience any of the following, you must seek advice from your dentist.
Incision line opening from dental implant procedure
This occurs when the tissue surrounding the implant opens after surgery and is one of the most common complications following the implant procedure.
Should the incision open, you may feel pain or irritation. Your dentist may advise you to take an antibiotic to avoid infection or rinse your mouth several times a day with a chlorhexidine rinse. If the pain doesn’t ease, you may need additional medical care.
Improperly fitted implant causing tooth implant pain
Pain or discomfort can be a sign that the dental implant isn’t integrating with the bone properly. If this is the case, your dentist may have to remove the implant and reposition it at a later date.
Infection
When bacteria enter the surgically impacted tissue, it causes an infection that prevents healing from taking place. The surgical site may open up or fail to heal.
What to do if you have dental implants pain after a couple of weeks?
It isn’t typical to experience pain this long after implant surgery, and your dentist should review it.
What about dental implants pain months or years later?
It’s possible to experience pain near your implants months or even years after surgery, primarily due to peri-implant disease or implant failure.
While dental implants have a high success rate, complications can occur.
If you feel pain when you tap or press on the implant site, it could be a sign of implant failure.
You may also experience pain near your implant if you don’t care properly for your replacement teeth. Like natural teeth, implants require daily brushing and flossing and regular check-ups with the dentist.
The takeaway
Implant pain should only be temporary. Take painkillers to ease any pain, which should subside in a few days.
Pain that lingers or worsens could indicate there is a complication. Call your dentist if you have been experiencing pain for more than five days, or discomfort for more than ten days, after your surgery.
Are you considering dental implants?
Why not schedule a consultation with the experienced team at No Gaps Dental by calling on (02) 8806 0227. We use the latest technologies and top name dental implant brands for long-lasting smiles.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.