Dental implants can significantly improve the appearance of your smile and your confidence. If you are planning to undergo the procedure, you have likely wondered, “Do dental implants hurt?” In this article, we answer this question and outline what you can expect from the surgery and subsequent recovery period.
Do Dental Implants Hurt?
The procedure of getting dental implants is typically painless. Modern local anesthetics are remarkably effective at blocking pain and other sensations at the procedure site. An injection of the anesthetic might be slightly unpleasant, but it lasts only a couple of seconds, and the area will become completely numb in a few minutes. Also, your doctor will be able to adjust the strength of the local anesthetic if you still feel pain once the procedure begins.
When the procedure is complete, the effects of the local anesthetic will gradually wear off. Typically, it takes two to six hours for the numbness to go away. When this occurs, you will likely start feeling pain or soreness at the procedure site. These sensations, along with other symptoms, can last for several days to a couple of weeks while your gums and jawbone recover from the procedure. In any case, pain and soreness during dental implant recovery can usually be effectively managed with over-the-counter painkillers.
How Can Sedation Dentistry Options Help?
Some patients can benefit from sedation options during the procedure of dental implants. Ask your doctor about sedation options if you have one or multiple of the following issues:
- You have acute dental anxiety that may prevent you from going through the procedure or make it highly stressful.
- You find it challenging to remain in the same position for a prolonged period.
- You have a high tolerance to local anesthetics.
Sedation options typically used in dentistry include:
- Oral sedation is a pill that a patient takes by mouth
- Nitrous oxide (also known as “laughing gas”) is inhaled through a mask before the procedure
- IV sedation (intravenous sedation) is delivered via an injection into a vein
- General anesthesia (though it is rarely used for dental procedures)
Opting for oral sedation or nitrous oxide sedation during your dental implant surgery can help you relax and relieve anxiety, thus making the procedure overall more pleasant. If you choose IV sedation, you might even fall asleep during the procedure and have little memory of it afterward.
Recovery After the Dental Implant Procedure: What to Expect
As we mentioned before, you should expect some pain after your dental implant surgery once the anesthetic and sedation wear off. Other common symptoms during the first 7 to 10 days of recovery include:
- Soreness or aching of the gum at the surgery site
- Redness and swelling of the gum
- Swelling of the face in the area of the procedure
- Bruising of the face in the area of the procedure
If you experience such symptoms after your dental implant procedure, you should not be concerned. However, if these symptoms last for more than 10 days and intensify or do not subside, contact your dentist immediately to eliminate the possibility of infection or implant failure.
To make the recovery more comfortable, we recommend following these tips:
- Pay special attention to your oral hygiene to prevent infection. Brush your teeth twice a day and floss every evening, being careful when cleaning around the surgery site.
- Rinse your mouth with a saltwater solution several times a day, especially after meals. However, do not move the water fast in your mouth, especially at the surgery site, so as not to disturb the wound.
- Use cold compresses for 15 minutes at a time to reduce swelling and bruising of the face. Take 30-minute breaks between applications, repeating the procedure 3 to 4 times a day.
- Take over-the-counter painkillers, such as Ibuprofen, to relieve the pain and soreness at the surgery site. Always follow the instructions provided with the medication and do not exceed a recommended daily dose.
- Complete the entire course of medication your doctor prescribes.
- Switch to a liquid diet for the first 3 days after the procedure. Then, follow a soft diet for the next several days. Avoid chewing food on the surgery side of your mouth.
Get Dental Implants at Tropic Dental Care
Make an appointment with an experienced dentist at the Tropic Dental Care office today to get your new dental implants. In our dental clinic, we choose the best materials and state-of-the-art techniques to deliver reliable results to our patients. We look forward to your visit.
