If you’re missing teeth, chances are you’ve heard about dental implants. After all, they can complete your smile with a lifelike solution no matter how many teeth you’ve lost. Plus, they can last for decades if you take good care of them. There’s just one problem – you’re worried about whether getting dental implants in Pittsburgh will be a painful experience. According to an implant dentist, dental implant surgery is actually more comfortable than most patients expect. Keep reading to learn why!
Is Dental Implant Surgery Painful?
During the actual dental implant procedure, you shouldn’t feel uncomfortable in the slightest. Before beginning any step of the treatment, your dentist will make sure that the section of your mouth they’ll be working on is 100% numb.
To do this, they apply a local anesthetic to the area and give it a few minutes to take effect. Next, they open your gum tissue and insert the dental implant into your jawbone. When this step occurs, the most you may feel is a small amount of pressure, but you shouldn’t feel outright pain. Additionally, you will likely be given some form of sedation. Not only does sedation suppress your body’s ability to register pain, but it helps you fully relax in the treatment chair, often to the point that you don’t remember much of your procedure afterward.
How Much Pain Is Normal After Getting Dental Implants?
In most cases, the local anesthetic used for your procedure will wear off within a couple of hours. By the time you get back home, you’ll probably feel sore in the area where the implant was placed. Soreness is a completely normal part of the process after any type of oral surgery, not just dental implant placement.
Fortunately, this discomfort is managed relatively easily with pain medications and cold compresses. In fact, many patients claim that the recovery period after dental implant surgery is much less uncomfortable than that of a tooth extraction.
Tips for a Smooth Recovery After Dental Implant Surgery
That being said, you’ll still want to take certain steps to make your recovery as smooth and comfortable as possible. Once you get home, be sure to:
- Eat only soft foods for several days (mashed potatoes, applesauce, cold soup, ice cream, etc.).
- Use cold compresses in ten-minute intervals to reduce swelling and pain.
- Take pain medications as directed by your dentist.
- When lying down, elevate your head to encourage healthy blood flow.
- Avoid using a straw and smoking to prevent the blood clot over the implant site from dislodging.
- Get lots of rest; strenuous physical activity can divert blood from the site and delay healing.
Still nervous about whether dental implant surgery will hurt? Tell your dentist about your concerns and they’ll do their utmost to keep you comfortable every step of the way!
About the Authors
Husband-and-wife dental team Dr. Jack Warwick and Dr. Joyce Warwick both have 30+ years of experience in the field of dentistry. They can also complete every step of the dental implant process under one roof at Warwick Dentistry. Dr. Joyce has even earned a Fellowship with the International Congress of Oral Implantologists! Thanks to the advanced anesthetic techniques they use, you can trust that they’ll make your dental implant surgery as painless as possible. To learn more about getting dental implants in Pittsburgh, contact them at 412-391-1130.