If you have missing teeth, chances are you’ve at least considered dental implants. Still, you might be put off by the idea that they involve invasive surgery. They’re foreign objects bonded and secured to your jawbone, after all — won’t undergoing this process hurt?
In truth, getting your replacement teeth ought to be painless. See for yourself in this summary of what to expect during and after dental implant surgery.
Will the Surgery Itself Hurt?
Given what’s involved, the treatment shouldn’t cause you any significant pain or discomfort.
First of all, your dentist will numb you with local anesthesia before the procedure. They won’t proceed until the affected tooth area is completely numb, meaning you won’t feel the implant’s placement into your jawbone. You may experience pressure at times, but it won’t be painful.
Furthermore, many dentists offer dental sedation for the implants’ insertion. In doing so, they help keep you calm and relaxed for the surgery.
What About the Recovery Period?
You may experience some discomfort once the anesthetic wears off post-procedure. However, most people say that it’s less than that of tooth extraction. As such, you’re unlikely to experience significant pain following surgery. You’ll likely be well enough to return to work or your daily activities the following day.
To manage any lingering soreness, dentists recommend taking over-the-counter pain relievers like Advil. or Tylenol. Plus, try to avoid hard foods while healing from the treatment. In two weeks or so, the pain will have passed. If it persists beyond that mark, visit your dental practice at once to figure out if there’s an infection.
The implant will fully heal in about four months. Once that happens, you’ll receive your crown restoration to make the implant look just like a natural tooth.
While receiving dental implants counts as ‘surgery’, that doesn’t mean you’ll feel terrible suffering from them. Trust that your dentist can give you a restored smile without any nasty aches or pains!
About the Practice
Dr. Sean Brown is a friendly and knowledgeable dentist with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Buffalo. He enjoys helping patients protect their oral health and feel confident in their smiles through advanced treatments like Invisalign. If you’re ready to improve your quality of life, you’re in good hands. Call (215) 348-2224 to schedule an Invisalign consultation at Sean Brown DDS or visit our website to request an appointment online.