Is it Painful to Get Dental Implants?

Dental implants are artificial teeth that can give you back a beautiful and healthy smile. The implant placement process involves taking a titanium post and inserting it into the jawbone to effectively replace the missing tooth’s root.

This can sound scary for a lot of patients, so you may be wondering if the surgery is painful.

Keep reading to get the definitive answer.

You Won’t Experience Pain During Implant Surgery

For most dental procedures, the dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the area so that you do not feel any physical pain while getting your oral health restored.

For implant surgery you’ll most likely get a quick injection into the gums, near the implant site. Once it takes effect (in a few minutes), you should not feel any physical pain. Some patients might feel some pressure, but that’s about it.

Moreover, patients also have sedation options available to them, such as laughing gas. While sedation doesn’t affect your ability to feel pain, it can help you remain relaxed during the surgery. Used in combination with anesthesia, you have the best chances of getting through the implant placement procedure pain and stress-free!

But You Might Experience Some Pain Post-op

You won’t feel any pain a few hours after your surgery, since you’ll still be numb from the anesthesia. However, once it wears off, you can start to notice some pain and swelling.

This is perfectly normal and not a cause for concern. While straightforward, implant surgery is still considered a significant procedure, and the body simply needs some time to heal.

Your pain should gradually get better as the days go on. In the meantime, you can manage it with cold compresses and over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen. Avoid taking aspirin because it can thin the blood and increase the risk of bleeding from the surgical site.

How to Care for the Dental Implant Site

You’ll need around 6 months to fully heal from dental implant surgery, and the first few weeks are crucial to ensuring you don’t delay this timeline.

Here’s what you need to do:

• Continue to brush your teeth and clean your mouth every day
• Chew your food on the other side of your mouth
• Eat softer foods for the first few days after surgery
• Avoid hard foods like chips or crackers
• Drink lots of water
• Stop smoking
• Skip the gym or strenuous physical activity for a few days

Getting Dental Implants at Lifestyle Dental Care

 If you’re dealing with missing teeth, see Dr. Philippe Jean for a consultation to find out if dental implants are right for you.

Lifestyle Dental Care offers expert implant services with both local anesthesia and sedation options available to ensure a painless and smooth experience.

Contact us online or call our office at (954) 669-1313 for more information.