Should You Expect Pain When You Get a Dental Implant

There are many unknowns when it comes to dental implant surgery, many people are afraid of the procedure since they don’t know how much pain they may experience after the procedure and how long the pain and discomfort will last. What most people fail to realize is that how mild or intense the pain will be, or how long it lasts, varies.

Do Dental Implants Hurt?

The answer is yes to a certain degree! Don't worry; this pain is typically bearable and will not affect daily life. You will most likely experience some pain after the dental implant procedure once the numbness from the anesthesia wears off. The amount of pain, however, depends on how many implants were put in and how invasive the procedure was. The more the implants and the longer the procedure, the more pain felt afterwards.

How Long Will You Feel Pain?

Normally, you could experience some discomfort and pain up to 10 days post-surgery and the swelling should subside after 3-5 days. It is important to note that all patients are different hence it is difficult to estimate how long the pain will last exactly.

Below is a timeline of what you can expect during recovery:

• Pain after one week

It is normal to experience pain at this point. This period can go on for 10 days and with proper care and adherence to your dentist’s instructions, the pain should subside.

• Pain after two weeks

Contact your dentist immediately if the pain has not subsided after the 10-day period so they can check for infection and act fast.

• Pain after 3-4 months

Pain during this stage can be attributed to one of the following causes:

• An Infection
• Poor blood supply
• Poor overall health
• Tissue or nerve damage
• Your body rejecting the implant
• Autoimmune diseases

In any of the above mentioned cases, contact your dentist immediately and they will determine what treatment best suits your situation.

• Pain after one year or longer

In case you experience pain a year or several years after the dental implant procedure, the following issues could be the cause:

• Teeth grinding
• Smoking
• Inadequate gum tissue in the affected area
• Lack of bone in the jaw
• Poor oral hygiene

Contact your dentist if you are experiencing extreme pain and they will know what course of action to take.

Potential Causes of Additional Pain

The following factors can lead to additional pain and discomfort:

• Loose implant caused by lack of enough bone mass
• Bone burn due to exposure to too much heat emitted from the dentist’s drill
• Infections especially in the gums
• Nerve damage

How to Manage Dental Implant Pain

There are numerous things you can do to minimize the pain you experience after a dental implant surgery. These include:

• Taking pain medication to help with the discomfort most times being ibuprofen.
• Using ice to numb the pain, especially on the first day.
• Avoiding candies and hard foods and sticking to soft and cold foods while in recovery.
• Maintaining proper oral hygiene.
• Choosing the right dentist.

The pain felt during and after a dental implant procedure should not stop you from striving to achieve your perfect smile. There are many ways you can reduce this pain and shorten the recovery period. Consult with your dentist before proceeding with the procedure to ensure you know what it entails and what is required of you to promote faster healing.