Missing teeth often lead to the degradation of the jaw bone, recession of gums, weakening of adjacent teeth, and may also deprive individuals of their smiles. Traditionally, the remedy to missing teeth was the use of dentures and bridges, but dental implants have increasingly become popular. Dental implants are titanium posts that serve as roots for fixed or removable replacement teeth.
For most dental implant candidates, the big question that often comes up is: do dental implants hurt? While the procedure is minimally invasive, patients can generally expect some pain after the procedure.
So, how bad do dental implants hurt? How long is the dental implant recovery process? Read on to find more about the procedure and what to expect.
Tooth Implant Procedure
Dental implant procedures involve several steps. First, professionals in oral surgery and restorative dentistry develop an individualized treatment plan. This allows for personalized care based on one’s implant option.
What follows is the tooth root implant, which is embedded into the jaw bone socket of the missing tooth. Healing may take 6-12 weeks, where the jawbone grows around the implant, anchoring it firmly in the jaw. This tooth root implant procedure is characterized by mild dental implant pain, especially immediately after the procedure.
Before the procedure, the patient is put under local anesthesia to prevent pain and anxiety during the process. For most patients, dental implants hurt after the anesthesia wears off, and after the procedure is done. However, such tooth implant pain can be managed by taking a locally available pain killer, such as ibuprofen.
Dental Implant Process Timeline
Dental implant procedures involve various steps, and timelines may vary among patients. The major processes include initial consultation, first surgery, abutment placement, and crown placement. The whole process may, therefore, take up to 8 months, provided no complications occur.
How Long Do Dental Implants Hurt?
It is common for patients to experience some pain after the dental implant procedure. Initially, the discomfort may last one to two days. However, some patients may continue to experience pain at the implant site for up to 10 days.
Do Dental Implants Hurt After the Procedure?
While some pain is expected after the surgery, it shouldn’t last more than two weeks. Pain that persists longer than this should be a red flag, and consulting your prosthodontist is advisable. A dental implant patient could also ask: why do my dental implants hurt even after surgery?
Bruising of the gum around the implant site often causes this pain, not to forget whenever one is brushing around the implant site.
Besides the pain and the bruising of the gums, here’s what to expect after a dental implant procedure:
· Discomfort around the cheeks, chin, and underneath the eyes.
· Minor bleeding
· Swelling of the gum around the implant site
Dental implant risks are rare, but they may occur just like with any other surgery. Such risks may be injury and infection at the implant site. Nerve damage and sinus issues may also occur, and the quick intervention of your prosthodontist may be vital to recovery.
If you believe you might need dental implants services, call Supremia Dentistry today at 919 556 6200 to schedule an evaluation.
