Dental implant surgery has revolutionised tooth restoration by providing a permanent replacement for missing teeth and increasing jaw stability to improve overall oral health. However, since the technology is still relatively new, many patients wonder, do teeth implants hurt?
Modern technology means the procedure is more efficient and better executed. If you are a nervous or anxious patient, sedation dentistry ensures your comfort during the surgery. As with any dental surgery, you may experience slight temporary swelling and bruising afterwards, but the benefits of dental implants are significant.
Teeth implants look natural, but they also feel natural because they help support your jaw by bonding with the bone. This keeps your mouth healthy and strong, and it maintains the structural integrity of your face. Despite being more expensive initially than some tooth replacement alternatives, tooth implants are comfortable and a lost-lasting investment in your smile.
The Process of Getting Dental Implants
When you and your dentist determine that a dental implant is the best course of treatment, the process includes several steps. At the initial consultation, your dentist takes 3D images and X-rays of your mouth and jaw to evaluate your jawbone. They’ll then work with you to develop a customised treatment plan.
At your next appointment, you’ll receive local anaesthesia as the dental implants are placed. People generally find they experience less discomfort than they anticipated during dental implant surgery. IV sedation is available for nervous patients to ensure their comfort.
Following the procedure, it’s normal to experience mild discomfort as you would after any dental work such as a filling or wisdom tooth removal. Swelling and bruising might occur and can be treated by applying ice packs to your cheek intermittently and taking OTC medication.
Following the dental implant surgery, your titanium implant fuses to your jawbone, which can take three to six months. This creates an anchor for your dental crown, allowing your implant to function like a real tooth with a root. During this time, you’ll want to eat carefully and stick to soft foods at the beginning to care for the affected area.
The next appointment will be to place the abutment that connects the implant to the prosthetic tooth. Once your gums heal, your dentist takes impressions of your mouth to create the crown, bridge, or denture.
Do Teeth Implants Hurt? Caring For Dental Implants
The amount of discomfort you feel post-surgery depends on how well you care for your dental implants. Just like your natural teeth, dental implants require diligent daily cleaning and care. Keeping the area around the implant free of bacteria and plaque prevents infections that could lead to dental implant failure.
Clean your teeth twice daily and use a low-abrasive toothpaste for your dental implant and around the implant crown. Use an interdental brush to get to hard to reach places, and an oral irrigator is a gentle alternative to floss for around your implant. Avoid smoking because this can damage your oral health, leading to complications with your dental implant.
If you have implant-retained dentures, remove the device from your mouth for cleaning at the end of each day. Soak the denture in a specific cleaner/warm water solution, usually for five to seven minutes, and brush gently. Always rinse the denture thoroughly before placing it back in your mouth.
If you care for dental implants properly, once your gums heal, you shouldn’t experience any discomfort. To ensure a successful healing process avoid eating hard or chewy foods in the months following the dental implant surgery not to aggravate the implant or damage it before it has a chance to fuse with the jawbone.
You can also use natural home remedies to alleviate discomfort while your dental implant heals. Try placing a boiled and cooled tea bag on the gums next to the implant site. The tannic acid in the tea leaves constricts blood vessels to reduce swelling and inflammation. An ice pack applied to the side of your face can also minimise swelling, but it also has a numbing effect that can help with discomfort as the anaesthesia from the surgery wears off.
Do Teeth Implants Hurt? Signs of an Infected Implant
If you follow all aftercare instructions and care for your dental implants properly following dental implant surgery, you will experience minimal or no discomfort.
However, it’s critical to recognise the signs of an infection so you can seek treatment immediately.
A loose or wobbly implant, foul breath, throbbing at the implant site, difficulty chewing, and blood when brushing around the implant is just a few signs to watch out for. Fever, visible pus at the implant site, a bad taste in your mouth, or the implant showing threads are also cause for concern.
If you notice any of these symptoms, visit your dentist at the earliest opportunity. Peri-implantitis is a site-specific infection that causes inflammation of the gum tissue, as well as bone loss around an osseointegrated dental implant. The infection needs to be caught and treated immediately. You may need antibiotics, a prescribed mouthwash, or surgery to rectify the effects of peri-implantitis, increasing the implant healing time.
Choose Gentle Implant Surgery at No Gaps Dental
Using local anaesthetic and IV sedation, the dentists at No Gaps Dental ensure that embedding dental implants is a gentle, comfortable procedure. However, patients can expect a low level of discomfort following teeth implant surgery due to swelling around the site. Patients can minimise discomfort by avoiding infection through diligent oral care.
Visiting a skilled and experienced dentist in Sydney ensures you receive a treatment plan that meets your needs and puts your mind at ease. If you are interested in dental restoration, call No Gaps Dental at (02) 8806 0227.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.