Does a tooth implant hurt? We understand that many patients feel anxious about the dental implant procedure, especially as multiple treatments are involved. Understandably, patients are most concerned about dental implant surgery, but is this concern justified?
In a word, no. After surgery, most patients agree that implant placement is less unpleasant than a tooth extraction with less post-surgical pain and limitation of daily activities.
We employ techniques to help patients relax and feel comfortable during the dental implant procedure. It starts with providing a safe environment for them to help build confidence in the treatment and with our dentist.
Studies find that when patients are informed about the implant placement procedure and the anticipated post-surgical pain, it can relieve their anxiety levels and affect post-surgical pain and discomfort.
Our dental professionals manage patient apprehension and worries about the dental implant procedure by talking and listening to them. Our friendly dental team welcome patients with genuine smiles, keeping them in the loop at every stage of the dental implant procedure. During an initial consultation, our dentist will explain the steps involved in the process and what to expect during surgery, ensuring patients are well-informed before commencing their dental implants journey.
To help put your mind at rest, here are some ways we help ensure that treatment for a tooth implant does not hurt during surgery and some tips to aid healing and recovery.
Administrating anaesthetics and sedatives
Our dentist will numb the surgical area with local anaesthetics to ease discomfort and pain during dental implant surgery.
Additionally, sedation may be offered to help nervous patients relax in the dental chair.
This also allows our dentists to perform safer, faster, and more accurate surgery.
Because extensive planning is carried out beforehand, implant surgery is minor and will be over before you know it.
Does a tooth implant hurt after surgery?
Now that the implant is in place, the next step of the dental implant procedure is recovery and healing. The first few days after implant surgery is when most patients feel discomfort because the effects of any anaesthetics have now worn off. It’s also normal for patients to experience slight bleeding, swelling, and minor bruising, which may last up to 7 days. To relieve pain and manage these symptoms, here are some steps to follow:
Take the prescribed medications
Pain after dental implant surgery is typically experienced within the first 48 hours. The prescribed pain relievers can help you rest and sleep during this time. Meanwhile, antibiotics are essential to prevent infection, so make sure these are taken as prescribed.
Prioritise resting
After implant surgery, our dentists recommend patients take a break from work and other strenuous activities for the next two days. Overworking the body immediately after getting dental implants can exacerbate bleeding and cause poor healing of the surgery site, so make sure you rest and allow your body to recover naturally.
Avoid hard and hot foods and brushing the surgery area
Trauma to the surgery site can cause bleeding and heightened pain. This may happen if you consume hard or hot foods or brush the surgery site while the wound is fresh. Sticking to a soft diet after surgery will promote better and faster healing. As for your routine oral hygiene, brush around the mouth but avoid the surgery site for about five days or until the area has healed.
Relieve bruising and swelling with ice packs
Aside from bleeding and pain, opening the mouth may not be easy as one side of the face may be swollen. It may also be painful when laying down on your side. To minimise the swelling and ease pain, patients should regularly apply a cold compress directly onto the cheek.
Boost your immune system
Patients can encourage their bodies to recover better and faster by boosting their immune system with a balanced, nutritional diet. Healing from dental implants can take up to 6 months. So during this stage of the dental implant procedure, take sufficient vitamins and nutrients to keep healthy.
Persistent pain after dental implant surgery
Dental implants boast a high success rate; most of the time, pain and other typical symptoms after the surgery are minimal and will resolve within two weeks. But if any issues persist after that, it’s best to consult with our dentist so they can examine the surgery site and determine the cause of the problem.
Most of the time, persistent pain or unnatural symptoms experienced weeks after implant surgery can be attributed to:
- Incision line opening
- Improperly fitted dental implants
- Infection
- Nerve injury\
Whatever the cause, it must be resolved quickly to ensure favourable, long-term results. At No Gaps Dental, we have experienced dentists who are trained and highly knowledgeable about dental implants to help prevent complications.
Does A Tooth Implant Hurt? – The Bottomline
After receiving dental implants, you can expect to experience some pain and discomfort, But this is tolerable and manageable, especially if you follow your dentist’s guidelines. Otherwise, you risk not only experiencing pain on the implant site but also the risk of complications and failure of your implant treatment.
Are you considering dental implants?
Getting a tooth implant does not hurt, especially with the care of a skilled dental team and friendly staff. At No Gaps Dental, we prioritise patient comfort by training our staff and the dental team to help resolve dental anxiety. We also employ modern sedative dentistry techniques for a comfortable treatment with dental implants.
To learn more, you may contact us at No Gaps Dental at (02) 8007 6727.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
PubMed Central – Pain Experience after Dental Implant Placement Compared to Tooth Extraction
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8424234/
PubMed Central – Antibiotics in dental implants: A review of literature
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5074034/#:~:text=%5B2%5D%20If%20a%20dental%20implant,of%20bacterial%20proliferation%20and%20dissemination
PubMed Central – Dietary Strategies to Optimise Wound Healing after Periodontal and Dental Implant Surgery: An Evidence-Based Review
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3681034
NIH – Dental Implants
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470448/