Are Dental Implants Painful? What You Need to Know
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Dental implants offer a long-lasting solution for replacing missing teeth. Before undergoing surgery, it’s common and reasonable for patients to ask, “Are dental implants painful?”
The short answer is that local anesthesia during the dental implant procedure helps you feel more comfortable. While you might experience some post-surgical discomfort, you can typically manage it with over-the-counter pain relievers and by following your dentist's tips.
At Sanitas Family Dentistry, we understand patients might be anxious about dental implant surgery, especially if you’ve never had it or you're afraid it’s painful. To provide clarity, let’s explore dental implants and dental implant surgery in greater detail and discuss any pain involved in the process.
What Are Dental Implants and What is Their Purpose?
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots made of titanium or other biocompatible materials, such as ceramic.
The purpose of a dental implant is to fill the gap left by a missing tooth (or teeth) and provide support for the new, custom-fabricated artificial tooth, bridge, or denture that fits on the implant base.
During oral surgery, one of our exemplary surgical partners places the small, threadlike posts into your jawbone.
Your resulting replacement teeth will look and function like your natural teeth.
Common Reasons for Missing Teeth
Natural teeth are incredibly durable, and the enamel that protects them is the hardest substance in your body. That said, people can experience tooth loss for many reasons, including:
Anodontia – A congenital condition in which teeth never develop
Cavities – Tooth decay that causes holes in your teeth
Gum disease
Cracked or injured teeth
Teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism)
Getting regular dental cleanings and exams (usually every 6 months) and addressing dental concerns as soon as they arise helps promote good oral health. It also allows dental professionals to identify conditions that may require treatment and offer recommendations to restore your smile and improve your quality of life.
What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?
Missing teeth can make it hard to chew and speak. They can also negatively affect your oral health and take a toll on your self-esteem. Millions of people get dental implants each year across the United States.
Dental implants offer multiple benefits, including:
They are long-lasting: With proper dental hygiene and regular dental visits, implants can last a lifetime.
They make it easier to chew: Implants fill gaps left by missing teeth. So, it’s easier to chew.
They improve speaking: Missing teeth can make it difficult to talk. Implants can help you communicate more clearly.
They help prevent bone loss: When the implant fuses to your jawbone, this bond enables stimulation from chewing and talking to help regenerate and preserve bone tissue.
They increase comfort and stability: Removable dentures can slip around and may require adjustments to fit properly. Dental implants are fixed in place, which makes them more stable and comfortable.
They help preserve healthy teeth: Dentures or bridges may require adjusting or removing healthy adjacent teeth. Implants don’t impact adjacent teeth; they help preserve them.
They restore your smile: Implants look and feel like your natural teeth, which helps restore your smile.
They boost your self-esteem: Being able to chew, talk, and smile positively impacts your self-esteem.
Parts of a Dental Implant
A dental implant has three parts:
Threaded post – The artificial titanium root that the oral surgeon places in your jawbone
Abutment – A small connecting post that screws into the threaded post that provides a foundation for the new artificial tooth
Restoration – The prosthetic that replaces the missing tooth and is visible in your smile, such as a crown, bridge, or denture
An oral surgeon and Dr. Krista will place these pieces separately, over a course of weeks or months, in separate procedures.
Why Patients Choose Dental Implants
Some patients opt to have dental implant surgery because their dental bridges or dentures don’t fit properly. Titanium implants fuse to your jawbone. So, they won’t slip or make noise like ill-fitting dentures.
A dental implant procedure is also a surgical option if you don’t have enough natural tooth roots to support bridgework or dentures. Other considerations that may indicate implants are a viable choice for you include:
You have one or more missing teeth.
Your jawbone has fully grown.
You have sufficient bone density to support implants, or you’re a bone graft candidate.
The tissues in your mouth are healthy.
You don’t have any health conditions that adversely affect bone healing.
You don’t smoke or use tobacco.
You want or need an alternative to dentures.
You want to improve your speech.
You’re able and willing to dedicate several months to the process.
Because every patient has a unique health history, Dr. Krista can discuss whether you are a candidate for dental implants during your initial consultation.
What Are the Stages of Dental Implant Surgery?
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Dental implant surgery involves multiple stages that may take weeks or months to complete, to allow for healing between phases. As with any type of surgery, understanding the process can help ease your anxiety. Here are the steps you can expect in an implant procedure:
Consultation – In your first visit, we will assess your oral health, take X-rays, and discuss your treatment goals. If your jawbone isn’t thick enough or too soft to support an implant, Dr. Krista can discuss the possibility and options for getting a bone graft ahead of dental implant surgery to create a solid, stable base for the implant.
Implant placement – Dr. Krista hand-selects exceptional implant placement experts. They will place the titanium implant into your jawbone in a minimally invasive procedure in which the surgeon makes a small incision in your gums to expose bone. Then, they drill a small hole in your jawbone and widen the opening, so it securely holds the implant post. After the surgeon places the post, they will close the incision with stitches. You will receive local anesthesia or sedation, if necessary, to keep you comfortable during this entire process.
Osseointegration and healing – During this phase, the bone heals around the implant, in a process called osseointegration. Healing usually takes several months to ensure the implant bonds securely with your bone.
Abutment and restoration placement – Once the implant fully integrates, Dr. Krista places a small connector, called an abutment, on the implant. Then she fabricates a custom-made crown, bridge, or denture that is placed and completes your restoration.
If your implant is near the front of your mouth, your dentist will make a temporary tooth for you to wear as you heal. If your implant is in the back of your mouth, you probably won’t need a temporary tooth. Your dentist will advise you about your particular needs before the procedure.
Are Dental Implants Painful?
While understanding the process can help decrease your anxiety, you might still wonder, “How painful are dental implants?” or “Are full mouth dental implants painful?”
During the surgery, your surgeon will numb your gums with local anesthesia and/or give you a sedative if you prefer.
The anesthesia limits pain and discomfort during the implant placement. You may feel some pressure or vibration during the procedure that patients typically tolerate well.
Be assured your comfort is of utmost importance during the procedure, and your oral surgeon and team members will do everything possible to minimize your discomfort.
Managing Pain After Dental Implant Surgery
To fully address whether dental implants are painful, you should know it is normal to experience mild to moderate discomfort once the anesthesia wears off after your implant placement procedure.
Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen should alleviate your discomfort, which might be similar to what you might feel after you’ve had a tooth extraction.
You might also experience bruising or swelling around the implant area, which is normal.
Tips to Reduce Post-Surgical Pain and Swelling
Your dentist will provide post-surgical care instructions to help you manage your symptoms after your procedure. You should follow these and also address any questions or concerns as they arise. You should also be sure to keep all scheduled follow-up appointments.
You can also follow these general tips to reduce your post-surgical pain and swelling:
To decrease swelling, apply ice packs to the outside of your face near the affected area.
Eat soft foods like yogurt and smoothies for the initial few days after your surgery. Don’t eat anything hot, spicy, or hard that might aggravate the surgical site.
Avoid strenuous activities for a few days after your procedure.
Take over-the-counter pain relievers according to their dosing instructions.
Take any prescription pain relievers as your oral surgeon recommends.
Rinse your mouth gently with a saltwater solution. Don’t brush the surgical site for several days after the procedure.
How Long Does It Take Dental Implants to Heal?
It takes about one week after the procedure for initial healing. The overall healing phase, to complete osseointegration so that your jawbone is fused around the implant varies and can take anywhere from three to nine months.
You will have regular progress checks with your provider every few weeks.
When Should You Contact the Dentist?
Complications are rare for dental implant surgery, and Dr. Krista will cover any risks and gladly answer any questions you have before your procedure.
In general, if you have had implant surgery or already have implants, call the dentist if you notice:
Loose implants
Pus, infection, or swelling around your implant
Bleeding or swollen gums
Swollen lymph nodes in your neck, along with another symptom above
Contact Sanitas Family Dentistry to Discuss Dental Implant Options
At Sanitas Family Dentistry, we prioritize your comfort and well-being in every procedure. Dr. Krista has extensive experience helping many patients enjoy the benefits that dental implants offer.
Our team will gladly address any questions you may have about whether dental implants are painful to ease your concerns and discuss treatment options that can help resolve your individual dental issues and restore your smile.
Contact us to schedule an initial consultation in our Boulder office.