Dental implants are widely considered the best solution for replacing one or more missing teeth. Implants are securely anchored in place, are indistinguishable from your natural teeth, and help prevent jaw bone degradation that comes with tooth loss.
If you’re eager to experience improved appearance, enhanced comfort, and a giant boost in self-esteem, implants are an excellent option. But if you’re like most people about to undergo a dental procedure, you’re probably wondering how painful dental implant surgery really is.
Is getting dental implants painful?
Everyone has a different tolerance level for pain. Minor discomfort for one person can be extremely hurtful to another. The good news is that the implant procedure itself is virtually pain-free, since the implant sites are fully anesthetized and numbed. Here at Long Island Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry, we have a variety of sedation options to ensure that anxious patients are comfortable during procedures. During the surgery, it is normal to feel pressure when the implant posts are surgically inserted into the jaw, but the goal is always to keep it a pain-free procedure.
Managing post-operative soreness
Once the procedure is completed and the anesthesia wears off, there will be some degree of post-operative discomfort. Your level of post-op soreness and pain will hinge upon the number and location of dental implants placed, and the complexity of your procedure. Implants placed in the upper arch can cause some people to experience minor discomfort in their cheeks, or even below the eyes.
Minor bruising, swelling in the jaw and residual bleeding is not uncommon. Most of these side effects subside within 5-10 days.
In our experience, most patients report that the implant recovery was not nearly as painful as they had anticipated. Some patients say that healing from root canals and tooth extractions were more painful than getting dental implants.
Steps to reduce pain and promote healing
After the implant procedure, you can help promote healing and minimize pain levels by:
- Following all post-operative instructions
- Taking OTC pain medications like Advil or Tylenol as directed
- Taking prophylactic antibiotics, if prescribed
- Rinsing gently with a warm saltwater solution
- Avoiding hot, spicy or crunchy foods for the first 10 days
- Maintaining good oral hygiene
- Brushing gently near the implant sites
- Using cold compresses as directed
- Calling your dentist if you have concerns
Experiencing some discomfort 7 to 10 days after dental implant placement is normal, but if you’re still in pain two or even three weeks after the surgery, continue to see residual bleeding, or have developed some new side effects, it’s important to make an appointment quickly. Your dentist will need to rule out infection, nerve damage, and the possibility of implant failure.
Fortunately, dental implants rarely fail, and have an average success rate of 95 to 98 percent!
Are you ready for a smile transformation?
Find out how Long Island Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry can help you get the smile you’ve always dreamed of having. Call today to schedule a one-on-one consultation to discuss dental implants and other cosmetic options with Huntington, LI dentists.
Additional Resources:
- WebMD, How painful are dental implants? https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/qa/how-painful-are-dental-implants
- Colgate.com, What are Dental Implants? https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/cosmetic-dentistry/implants/what-are-dental-implants
