How Painful is Dental Implant Surgery

Dental implant surgery is one of the most reliable and long-lasting ways to replace missing teeth. However, since this surgery involves inserting an artificial tooth root into the jawbone, it almost always causes some amount of pain. Before undergoing this surgery, many dental patients are worried about the level of pain they may experience afterward and how long it will last.

What is involved in dental implant surgery?

In order to understand how painful the implant process may be, it is helpful to realize what happens when a patient receives an implant. In many cases, after a patient has a natural tooth removed, but before an implant is placed, the area is prepared with a bone graft. These grafts encourage the production of new bone, which will strengthen the jawbone and help ensure the implant properly integrates with the bone.

In dental implant surgery, a patient's dental professional drills a hole into the jawbone. A metal post is placed into the hole. This metal post works as an artificial tooth root. The post needs to be given time to osseointegrate, or to allow the bone from the patient's jaw to grow through it. Although this process may often take months, it is essential for a healthy and stable implant. The abutment, which is a component to which the dental crown will be attached, usually is not placed on the post until osseointegration is complete.

Sometimes, the dentist needs to perform a smaller surgery to place the abutment. This is a minor surgery that only involves the gums. It may cause some bleeding and swelling, but pain from having the abutment placed is less severe than any pain experienced after placing the metal post.

How painful is the implant surgery?

Dental implant surgery involves trauma to both the gums and the jaw. The surgery itself should not involve any pain since the mouth will be numbed. As the numbness wears off, though, patients will often feel some level of pain.

Many dental professionals provide pain medication to help manage discomfort at the implant site. In some cases, post-surgery pain is mild enough that it can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication. Generally, a single implant will cause less discomfort than a surgery where multiple implants are placed. Patients will usually have pain up to 10 days after the procedure, but the pain may resolve before 10 days.

If excessive discomfort persists after the 10-day point, it is important for patients to contact a dental professional immediately. Prolonged pain may be a sign that the implant site has become infected. If this is the case, the dental professional will need to act quickly to save the implant.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Google: Dental Implant Surgery in Cumming, GA.

Conclusion

No dental patient looks forward to any type of pain. However, persons considering dental implant surgery should not let a fear of post-surgery discomfort discourage them from pursuing the procedure. Implants are designed to be a permanent tooth replacement, and once completed, the implant process will leave a patient with a beautifully restored smile.

Request an appointment or call Cumming's Family Dentist at 770-205-9226 for an appointment in our Cumming office.

Recent Posts

Invisalign Treatment Benefits For Teens

You probably already know that Invisalign® trays look very different than traditional braces, but you may not know how ideal Invisalign is for many teens. Older teens are often very active in sports or might worry about how others think about teeth-straightening devices. The clear trays of Invisalign are less conspicuous than traditional braces. You…

Invisalign Teeth Straightening Is More Comfortable Than Braces

For a long time, if a person wanted straighter teeth, the only option was traditional braces. However, the introduction of Invisalign® in 1999 changed that. This treatment involves a series of clear plastic aligners that are custom-made to fit the patient's teeth and gradually guide the teeth into the desired position. Many patients prefer aligners…

Invisalign Is Effective For Less Complex Orthodontic Cases

Invisalign® is one of several options you might be considering for straightening teeth. It is a way to correct the alignment by regularly changing the trays as the teeth move into the proper positions. While it may not be right for everybody, many people with less complex orthodontic cases have success using Invisalign. With Invisalign,…

Cumming's Family Dentist

Share
Published by
Cumming's Family Dentist

Recent Posts

Invisalign Treatment Benefits for Teens

You probably already know that Invisalign® trays look very different than traditional braces, but you…

1 year ago

Invisalign Teeth Straightening is More Comfortable than Braces

For a long time, if a person wanted straighter teeth, the only option was traditional…

1 year ago

Invisalign Is Effective for Less Complex Orthodontic Cases

Invisalign® is one of several options you might be considering for straightening teeth. It is…

1 year ago

You Can Eat Hard and Sticky Food During Invisalign Treatment

An effective and yet inconspicuous way to straighten the teeth, Invisalign® gives individuals the flexibility…

1 year ago

Invisalign Can Be Safer for Teens and Adults in Sports than Braces

A lot of people wonder if teeth straighteners like Invisalign® and playing sports are compatible.…

1 year ago

Less Mouth Pain and Cuts with Invisalign than Braces

One factor you may consider when deciding between Invisalign® and braces is the potential for…

1 year ago