Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?
If you’re missing a tooth, you may have considered getting a dental implant. But maybe you’re holding back because you’re nervous about such a big procedure and all the pain it might bring.
The truth is, getting dental implants is relatively painless: You’ve probably just psyched yourself out. Here’s everything you need to know about getting dental implants, courtesy of the experts at Dental Studios in New Jersey.
How do dental implants work?
Getting dental implants actually involves multiple procedures. The process goes like this:
- Removal of damaged tooth (if necessary)
- Jawbone grafting (if necessary)
- Placement of implant
- Waiting period for bone growth
- Placement of abutment
- Placement of crown (false tooth)
Does dental implant surgery hurt?
As discussed above, getting dental implants isn’t as simple as one in-and-out procedure. You have to go through, at a minimum, four of the six steps above.
Regardless of which steps you require, none of the procedures themselves should be painful. Since dental implant surgery is a major procedure, you’ll be given some sort of anesthesia to keep pain and discomfort to a minimum. Many patients receive general anesthesia for the actual implantation, so they’re asleep and not even aware of the procedure as it’s happening. If you’re awake during the procedure, you may notice the vibration of the drill, but it will just feel like pressure.
You may also receive local anesthesia for the abutment and crown placement. During the bone growth period, which is technically part of the total procedure, you may feel discomfort similar to growing pains.
Will I have pain after dental implant surgery?
It’s hard to pinpoint the before and after of dental implant surgery because it’s such a long process with many steps. However, you’re probably wondering what to expect after the actual implant process, or after your dentist inserts the metal rod into your tooth socket.
You may experience pain for a few days and up to a few weeks after the implant, and you may feel continued discomfort as your jawbone grows around the implant. You may also experience pain after the abutment placement, as your dentist needs to reopen your gum to attach the abutment and later the crown (your new tooth!).
Your dentist will give you a prescription for pain medications, as well as thorough instructions on how to care for your gums, teeth, and mouth during and after dental implant surgery.
The final verdict? You can expect to experience some pain and discomfort throughout the process of getting dental implants, but rest assured that your Dental Studios dentist will do everything possible to make the process as comfortable and painless as possible.
In the end, it’s important to enter the process with clear expectations. If anything feels amiss, don’t hesitate to let your dentist know. To learn more about dental implants, call Dental Studios at 908-681-8734 (Summit) or 908-681-8736 (Westfield). You can also book your appointment online.