Is Getting a Dental Implant Painful?

Ouch! That tooth you hit during a fall sure hurts a lot. Or do you have a toothache that just won’t go away?

After consulting with a dentist, you may discover that you need dental implant surgery. The procedure is quite common. 69% of adults between the ages of 35 and 44 have lost a permanent tooth and needed implant surgery.

You know it’s absolutely necessary to get an implant to feel confident in your beautiful smile again and to make that pain go away. But you may be wondering, “How painful is a dental implant?” We’re here to answer your questions and calm your fears about your dental implant procedure.

How Painful Is a Dental Implant Procedure?

An experienced dentist, like Dr. Suzanne Caudry, will limit any pain to be felt during the implant procedure itself with a local anesthetic. Your dentist will not begin the procedure until that area of your mouth is completely numb.

During implant surgery, the dentist will drill into your gum and jaw to create space for a metal post. That post or screw is inserted into your jaw (where there are no nerve endings). Then, a temporary cap is placed on top of the screw to protect the wound which will be replaced on a later visit with a permanent crown.

During the whole procedure, you should only feel pressure and no pain. If you do experience pain, you can always ask your dentist for more anesthetic, or if you are a particularly anxious patient, to be sedated.

Do Dental Implants Hurt During Recovery?

The worst part of dental implant procedures is the recovery, but even that isn’t so bad. The recovery will be completely finished in a few days, but most people find that they’re able to return to work the very next day.

You may experience a throbbing pain after dental implant procedures when the anesthetic wears off. This pain will not last long and is often treated in the following ways:

• Taking ibuprofen, Tylenol, or another over the counter pain killer
• Taking stronger, opioid pain killers if prescribed
• Taking prophylactic antibiotics if prescribed
• Gently rinse with warm (not hot) saltwater
• Avoiding hard, crunchy, and hot foods
• Applying a cold compress to the outside of the cheek
• Maintaining proper oral hygiene in the surgery area
• Giving your whole body plenty of rest

If your pain persists for longer than a week or if you experience dental implant pain years later, you should contact your dentist right away. It could be a sign of infection.

Going Into Your Implant Procedure With Confidence

You should have very little fear about getting your dental implant now that you know the answer to, “How painful is a dental implant?” Take it easy for a day or two and look forward to relieving the pain from your tooth ailment.

Do you have more questions about dental procedures? Check out articles in our Health heading for more.