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 Yelp: Dental Implant Surgery in Torrance, CA.

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 SmileWell Family Dentistry at 310-904-6375 for an appointment in our Torrance office.

Recent Posts

Surgical Implants Are A Long Term Missing Teeth Solution

If you have one or more missing teeth, then you may have considered surgical implants as a long-term solution. This can be an excellent choice, but some important considerations need to be made before embarking on the journey of dental implants. By understanding what implants can offer and how to approach your treatment, you will…

Understanding Various Procedures In Periodontics

Periodontics is a specialized branch of dentistry that focuses on preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases affecting the gums and other supportive oral structures. A periodontist can help patients manage periodontal issues, ranging from mild gum inflammation to advanced cases that require surgical intervention. This dental specialty can help you maintain your oral health and prevent…

Reasons To Consider Dentures As An Option For Replacing Missing Teeth

Are you thinking of your option for replacing missing teeth with dentures? Well then, you are on your way to having a new and appealing smile. People all around the world have had and continue to have success with this treatment. Dentures can be an effective way to fill in embarrassing gaps in the mouth.Dentures,…

SmileWell Family Dentistry

Share
Published by
SmileWell Family Dentistry

Recent Posts

Understanding Various Procedures in Periodontics

A periodontist can help patients manage periodontal issues, ranging from mild gum inflammation to advanced…

19 hours ago

Reasons to Consider Dentures as an Option for Replacing Missing Teeth

Are you thinking of your option for replacing missing teeth with dentures? Well then, you…

5 days ago

Are There Options for Replacing Missing Front Teeth?

When it comes to replacing missing front teeth, there are options available. This article reviews…

2 weeks ago

Why You Should See a Periodontist for Advanced Gum Care

When gum problems arise, patients can often benefit from seeing a periodontist for advanced gum…

2 weeks ago

3 Options for Replacing Missing Teeth and Avoiding Bone Loss

If you are missing teeth, you should visit a dentist to discuss your options for…

3 weeks ago

Full Mouth Dental Implants are an Option for Replacing Missing Teeth

Full mouth dental implants are a preferred option for replacing missing teeth teeth rather than…

4 weeks ago