Do Dental Implants Hurt? (What you should know about them)

Is it expected that dental implants will hurt?

If you want to know if dental implants are going to be painful.

Then you’ve come to the right place, keep reading!

You might have come across dental implants or dentures if you have been finding a solution for your missing teeth. There can be many different reasons why you might consider getting dental implants. Missing teeth due to gum disease, cavities and accident are some of the reasons for which dentists recognize dental implants as a permanent solution. Dental implants are a good option because they’re very stable and allow a person to chew, speak and smile easily again.

You might have also heard about dentures. Comparatively, dentures may be less expensive but they cause their own additional issues like pain and slippage.

If you are wondering whether dental implants are painful or not and if you will experience discomfort after the surgery, then you’ve come to the right place. We will discuss:

What are dental implants?

Everything you should know about dental implants (and everything that isn’t true)

Dental implants are used to replace missing tooth or teeth, so they are designed in a way that they take place of the lost natural teeth. They look and function just like your natural teeth, requiring the same level of care. Dental implant consists of two main parts; the titanium screw that is placed into your jaw and the abutment that attaches the crown to the implant. Dental implants are a permanent solution to missing teeth and they are commonly approved as the best way for people to get back their chewing, speaking and smiling abilities.

Doing something about your missing teeth is very important. Dental implants are not only a permanent solution to missing teeth; they also provide the following benefits:

They prevent additional bone loss in your jaw. When there is no root or tooth to boost stimulation, the bone of your jaw starts deteriorating. Since dental implants fuse with the bone, they help keep your bone mass unlike dentures that sit on top of the bone and gums.
They help restore your bite. With missing teeth it can be a big problem to eat and chew properly. Similarly with dentures, eating and chewing is hard since they keep slipping in your mouth. With dental implants you can easily eat and chew without having to worry about it.
They support your adjacent teeth. Gaps between teeth can affect the adjacent teeth. When there is space, the surrounding teeth can start leaning in and shifting which can create misalignment. Additional issues with your smile can be avoided by getting permanent dental implants.
They give you back your confidence. There is no need to put up with uncomfortable denture that can slide around even when adhesive is applied. You surely don’t want your dentures to come out while you’re in public. Implants will not only give you back your confident smile, you’ll likely even forget you have them. You won’t have to worry about your teeth and can live comfortably again.

If you’re considering getting dental implants, your first step is to schedule an appointment with your dentist. Your dentist will determine if you’re a good candidate for surgery. The dentist will ensure that:

You have healthy gums and oral tissues.
You have adequate bone density in your jaw to hold up the titanium screws
You don’t have any condition that prevents an appropriate bone fusion with the implant and healing.
Preferably you don’t smoke or can reduce the amount you smoke.

After determining the suitability of the procedure for you and determining the number of teeth that need to be replaced, your dentist will schedule a surgery for you.

The procedure for getting dental implants

How will your dental implants be placed?

Although the dental implant procedure is tailored according to your specific needs, the basic process is same no matter you’re getting one tooth replaced or your entire jaw.

Firstly, your dentist will insert the titanium screws that are designed to replace the tooth root. The screw will be inserted in each gap if you’re getting one tooth done or multiple teeth that are not adjacent. If you’re getting a bridge done, multiple teeth or a whole jaw, your dentist will place two to six implant screws for the stability of the crowns.

For multiple teeth replacement, it isn’t practical to place an implant screw for every missing tooth, so your dentist will determine the appropriate amount for you to get the desired results. The implant usually takes 3-6 months to fuse to the bone and get healed. After that, you will have to return to the dentist to place the abutment on your implant. After it heals, your last step will be to place a new crown on top of the abutment. After this, your dental implant procedure is complete and you can use them as your normal teeth.

It is important to take proper care of your dental implants. You will need to care of them just like your natural teeth, which will include brushing twice a day, flossing and regularly visiting your dentist for checkup and cleanings.

Do Dental implants hurt?

Should you expect the dental implant procedure to hurt?

Since you’re more familiar with dental implants now, you may be concerned if the procedure is painful or not. Most people do very well with dental implant surgery. However, since our mouth is very sensitive so as with any other surgery, experiencing slight discomfort is normal. However, it dissipates with time. If this pain persists for more than one week, you should let your dentist know. Your dentist will do an evaluation and ensure that everything is healing and there is no infection.

Just like any other surgery, there is a possibility of swelling and discomfort with dental implants. Your dentist will prepare you for this but make sure to contact your dentist if the pain persists for more than one week.