Do Dental Implants Hurt?

Do Dental Implants Hurt?

Getting a dental implant can seem daunting, but the procedure is designed to be as painless as possible. This guide on whether dental implants hurt or not, and how to minimise discomfort following a dental procedure, should help to reassure any worried patients.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are an ideal and lasting way to replace and restore extracted teeth, or teeth that have been knocked out. They provide a fully functional and comfortable replacement for missing teeth, and are renowned as one of the most long-lasting solutions for this common dental concern.

What is the Procedure for a Dental Implant?

The procedure for a dental implant often sounds more nerve wracking than the reality. As a multi-step process, you will attend the dental surgery in multiple visits, allowing your implant to heal before the final implant is placed upon the tooth. Before you have a dental implant procedure, you will need to attend a consultation to ensure your overall dental and oral health is in general good condition. There are plenty of steps involved along the dental implant process to help ensure you have the most comfortable experience possible, and this is one of them.

Following your consultation, if you are a suitable candidate for a dental implant, your dental team will book you in for the implant procedure at your convenience. Before the implant is done, your dentist will ensure the area is entirely clean to help minimise the risks of infection (and pain).

You will not need to take time off work following a straightforward dental procedure, as the process is relatively pain-free. Some procedures are more complex, as not all patients are immediately suitable for a dental implant. These patients may require further visits to the dentist to have preliminary issues resolved with their dental health before the implant can be placed. Some may also need bone grafting or tooth extractions completed before their implant – in these cases, it is usual to plan for the treatment process to take longer.

Most dental implants heal within several months as the jawbone fuses with the implant. This process is called osseointegration. Once it has been a success and your dentist confirms this at appointment, a connector followed by your bespoke made crown will be attached to the implant.

Do Dental Implants Hurt?

Dental implants are always performed under local anaesthesia, so there is no pain during the procedure. This is where your dentist will inject an anaesthetic into the area before any work begins on your dental implant. They will also check with you that the area is completely numb before beginning the procedure. Many patients describe the sensation of the anaesthetic needle being the most they felt throughout the process, and that it was one that quickly subsided.

Many dentists also now offer sedatives for more anxious patients. There are a range of options available, depending on the dentist you choose. At Ringway Dental, we are proud to offer comforting care to all our clients should they require it, as we believe every experience at the dentist should be a relaxing one.

We always do our best to help you feel at home with us, and sedative treatments can be one way to help ensure your dental implant procedure is as comfortable as possible. It is important that following a sedative treatment, you have someone to drive and help take on responsibilities for 24 hours following the procedure. All the necessary advice will be provided to you by your dentist before the treatment is administered.

Discomfort after your Implant

Some patients can experience some normal discomfort following their implant procedure. It is usually advised that you relieve any pain with over-the-counter analgesics if required, such as paracetamol. Some minor symptoms are to be expected following a dental implant, however for any concerning or persistent symptoms it is always best to contact your dentist for bespoke advice. Here are some of the most common symptoms linked to discomfort after a dental implant:

• Minor Bleeding – This is normal and can be expected following a dental implant. Some pressure, with a clean gauze pad, can help control any bleeding. If bleeding is persistent or does not seem to be resolving itself, get in touch with your dentist.
• Tenderness – The area around the implant may feel sore after the implant and as the area heals.
• Stiff Jaw – Due to the more invasive nature of the implantation process, you may have a slightly stiff jaw for a couple of days.
• Some Swelling – Minor swelling is to be expected but can be relieved using a cold compress.

Any unexpected or more concerning symptoms that may signal issues such as infection need to be discussed with your dentist or an emergency healthcare practitioner.

Follow up Appointments

To minimise the pain, sensitivity and potential for complications linked to your dental implant, it is important that you follow all aftercare advice offered by your dentist.

It is best practise for your dentist to offer a follow up appointment to check how your dental implant is settling in. Attending any post-care appointments is vital in ensuring we can assess the healing of your implant, and to ensure we’re able to flag up any potential issues that could cause more pain before they arise.

Dental Implants by Ringway Dental

While it is difficult to promise a dental implant procedure will go without any discomfort whatsoever, the long-term benefits they offer do make them a worthwhile choice. Your dentist will always endeavour to ensure your treatment is as comfortable as possible throughout the process. This is something we specialise in at Ringway Dental in Manchester, as our experienced dental team are dedicated to helping all patients get the best dental experience possible.

If you are looking to book a consultation to see whether a dental implant is right for you, do not hesitate to get in touch. You can call our reception on 0161 437 2029 now, or book online via our contact page.

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