Dental implants are one of the most sophisticated methods of dental restoration today. They can significantly improve the quality of your life by giving you a beautiful smile and the ability to enjoy a variety of your favorite foods. But are dental implants painful? Please read our article to learn what to expect from the dental implant procedure and recovery.
Are Dental Implants Painful?
Each patient has a different pain tolerance and will experience the procedure of dental implants somewhat differently. There are two major stages of getting dental implants: the procedure itself and the recovery after it. Below, we discuss what feelings and levels of pain you can expect during these stages.
The Procedure of Dental Implants
Dental implant surgery is not painful in the majority of cases because your dentist will use some form of anesthetic, sedation, or both. Modern local anesthetics are highly effective at blocking any sensations by numbing the procedure area completely.
Some patients might be recommended to use sedation in addition to the anesthetic. Sedation is particularly helpful in cases of lengthy and complicated procedures that require the patient to sit still for an extended period of time. Sedation can also help patients with acute dental anxiety, high tolerance to local anesthetics, or those who are unable to remain in the same position for a prolonged period.
There are several sedation options that modern dentistry can offer:
- Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) sedation
- Oral sedation (a pill taken by mouth)
- IV sedation
- General anesthesia
Recovery after Dental Implants
Once the anesthetic or sedation used during the surgery wears off, you are likely to start experiencing some pain or discomfort at the surgery site. Your jaw bone and gums will need several days to heal before the pain goes away and several weeks or months to recover completely. This time is needed for the implants to fuse with the jaw bone.
Feeling pain and soreness in the mouth and swelling and bruising in the face are normal during the first days of the recovery. However, in most cases, the pain you will experience is mild and tolerable and can be remedied with solutions available over the counter.
How to Reduce Pain During Dental Implant Recovery
To make sure that the recovery after dental implant surgery goes as smoothly as possible and causes the least amount of pain and discomfort, try following the tips we list below.
- Take over-the-counter pain medication to reduce the discomfort. Remember that you should always stay within the recommended daily dose and follow the instructions precisely. If you find that over-the-counter painkillers are insufficient to manage the pain caused by the implant surgery or the pain seems to be getting stronger, consult your dentist immediately.
- If your doctor prescribes antibiotics or any other medication, take the entire course according to the schedule. Antibiotics help prevent infection at the recovery site and thus reduce the time needed for healing.
- Switch to a liquid diet for the first two to three days and then continue with a soft diet for several days after that. Avoiding any hard and crunchy food or food that requires a lot of chewing and movement of the jaw will reduce the strain and allow the implants to become secure in the bone and heal properly.
- Avoid sport and any other strenuous activity for at least a week. Doing such activities increases the blood flow to the surgery site, which can cause throbbing and even bleeding.
- Abstain from nicotine and alcohol, as these products can significantly slow down healing.
- Maintain impeccable oral hygiene to prevent bacterial growth in the mouth and avoid infection at the surgery site. Brush and floss your teeth every day, being careful when cleaning at the surgery site so as not to disturb the new implants. Ask your dentist to show you the proper techniques for cleaning with dental implants. Your doctor might also recommend using a salt rinse several times a day to kill bacteria.
- Use cold compresses to reduce the swelling and bruising in the face and ease off the pain and irritation in the gums.
Make an Appointment Today
If you are considering dental implants, sign up for a consultation with an experienced oral surgeon at the Smile Specialist CA dental office. Together, we will explore the options available to you and establish the most effective course of treatment. Our specialists will make sure that the procedure of getting dental implants is stress-free and comfortable for you. We are looking forward to your visit.