Dental implants are a sophisticated and modern restoration solution for individuals missing one or several teeth. Implants offer multiple benefits, including a natural appearance, a strong bite force (up to 90% of natural bite force), and the prevention of changes to the jawbone and facial structure. But is getting a dental implant painful? In this article, we discuss what you can expect during and after a dental implant procedure.
Is Getting a Dental Implant Painful?
Typically, the procedure of dental implant placement does not cause patients any significant pain or discomfort due to the effectiveness of modern local anesthetics. The anesthetic is administered via injection in the gum before the procedure. It starts taking effect within a couple of minutes, completely numbing the procedure site and blocking all sensations and pain for the duration of the surgery. Also, the dose of the anesthetic can often be adjusted according to the patient’s needs and pain tolerance.
Additionally, patients can opt for one of the sedation methods used in dentistry. Sedation can be used in the following cases:
- For patients who experience severe dental procedure anxiety and stress
- For patients who find it challenging to remain in the same position for a long time
- For patients with special needs
- For lengthy surgical procedures (for example, if multiple implants are placed at the same time)
If you have any of the concerns we listed above, do not hesitate to ask your dentist about the sedation options they offer during the initial consultation. Sedation options that can be used in a dental office include:
- Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) sedation is inhaled through a mask and promotes relaxed and slightly elated feelings, but does not make a person fall unconscious.
- Oral sedation is a pill taken by mouth some time before the procedure and also helps the patient relax or feel drowsy during the procedure. However, the patient will still be sufficiently aware to cooperate with the doctor.
- IV sedation is the strongest type of conscious sedation. It is administered via injection into a vein and can make patients remain calm or even fall asleep during the procedure.
- General anesthesia is rarely used in dentistry since it makes the patient entirely unconscious and requires an anesthesiologist and prior general health tests. However, it can be used in cases of lengthy surgeries or for patients with special needs.
Is Recovery After Getting a Dental Implant Painful?
Once the anesthetic wears off, you are likely to start experiencing soreness and pain at the procedure site. These feelings are inevitable after a surgical procedure and will gradually subside in the course of several days to a couple of weeks as the healing progresses. Additionally, you are likely to experience swelling and bruising in the face (around the procedure site).
These side effects can typically be successfully managed with over-the-counter painkillers and cold compresses. Additionally, maintaining effective oral hygiene and being cautious when eating (switching to a liquid and soft diet for several days after the procedure) will help prevent infections and implant failure.
However, if the pain and swelling become more severe or do not subside within the expected timeframe, contact your dentist immediately, as these symptoms may indicate an infection at the procedure site or implant failure.
Get Dental Implants at TruGlo Modern Dental Beverly Hills
Do not hesitate to make an appointment with an experienced dentist at TruGlo Modern Dental Beverly Hills. At our dental office, we offer our patients high-quality, long-lasting dental implants. Our specialists strive to make every procedure as stress-free and comfortable as possible for our clients.
We look forward to your visit.
