Are Dental Implants Painful?

Dental implants: A modern, effective solution

If you’re someone who has a missing tooth, your lifestyle can be negatively affected in a number of ways. Maybe chewing food is more difficult, perhaps your food options have been greatly limited by your missing teeth, or maybe this situation has made you feel self-conscious about your smile, where you may find yourself avoiding social situations, being photographed, or smiling when you feel happy or want to laugh. 

You deserve to feel relaxed and enjoy your life. When missing teeth are preventing you from experiencing even the most basic thing, dental implants are safe, effective, and natural looking. 

What are dental implants?

Dental implants refer to a procedure where the roots of your missing tooth are replaced with a metal screw that is secured into your jawbone so that  two additional components, the abutment and the crown, can be placed on top the implant to complete the look of natural, healthy teeth.

The abutment is essentially a connection point between the implant and the crown, and the crown is the component that mimics a natural, healthy tooth. The crown will be secured to the abutment and over time the implant will fuse with the jawbone. 

The dental implant procedure has a very high success rate, and if taken care of as advised,  dental implants can last a lifetime. 

Are dental implants painful?

The most important thing to keep in mind when considering dental implants is setting appropriate expectations. Dental implants are a surgical procedure that requires us to cut into your gums as well as carefully drill into your jawbone for the placement of the implants. 

While this might sound painful, or even scary, we assure you that we strive to make this entire process as comfortable as possible. We use a local anesthetic, just as we would if we were filling a tooth. Your comfort is our priority. 

We wait until the jaw feels completely numb before we begin the procedure. The most you should feel during this process is pressure, but if you do feel any discomfort, we’ll stop the procedure immediately and only continue the process once we’re assured that you are comfortable.

After the procedure, which includes an incision, drilling space for the implant, placing the implant, and then closing the incision — all of which should take about an hour, though timeframes can vary — your body will begin the healing process. 

Though you might feel some tenderness in the area where your implants have been placed, this can be managed through standard over the counter pain relievers — no need for prescription medications. 

Minor swelling for a few days is normal. We’ll recommend you avoid very hot or cold foods and drinks for a few days, as you may feel some sensitivity, and we’ll provide you a few additional tips as to how to make yourself as comfortable as possible while you heal. 

If you are feeling an increased sense of discomfort, then we want you to contact us. Extreme discomfort is not normal and should be addressed as quickly as possible. 

What are the advantages of dental implants?

If you’re a candidate for dental implants, there are a lot of benefits to consider. Some of them include:

• Dental implants are natural in appearance — Today’s dental implants look amazingly natural, and with the added advantage of being placed directly into the jawbone, 
• Dental implants are comfortable — Again, since the implants themselves fuse with your jawbone, you can have an increased sense of confidence eating, smiling,, giving you peace of mind and a new-found sense of freedom
• Dental implants are convenient — You don’t have to remove them or maintain them any differently than you would a normal, natural set of teeth. Regular brushing, flossing, a healthy diet, and twice-annual checkups should keep your smile bright and healthy for years to come!
• Dental implants help you enjoy the foods that you love — Missing or damaged teeth can sometimes hinder you from enjoying the foods that you love to eat. Dental implants look, feel, and can be used just like you want them to be used. You don’t need to shy away from corn on the cob ever again!
• Dental implants help you enjoy the moments that you love — You’ll never have to second guess showing your smile again. You can finally relax, laugh as heartily as you want to and smile as brightly as you deserve to. 
• Dental implants can help improve your speech sounds — Missing, damaged teeth, and even certain types of dentures can affect the sound of your speech. Dental implants designed just for you can help correct your speech difficulties, helping you sound, well, just like you!

Ready to learn if you’re a good candidate for dental implants? Contact Carter Park Dental today to speak with our team about scheduling your consultation. We’d love to help you have the healthy smile you deserve.