It is common for patients to feel anxious about the intensity of pain they may experience after the procedure and how long it will last.
To mentally prepare and understand the different variables of dental implant surgery, including pain, you must first go through the details of the procedure.
Types of Implants
Endosteal
These are titanium-based screws that are implanted in the jaw bone. They serve as a root for the artificial tooth. Endosteal implants are widely used for the dental implant procedure.
Subperiosteal
These are titanium implants that are placed on the jaw bone. This usually happens when the bone is not healthy enough to support the implant and hold it in place.
Alternative dental implant techniques that your surgeon may include are bone augmentation, sinus lift and ridge expansion.
What to expect during a dental implant procedure?
Detailed Examination
Your periodontist will run a detailed check-up to get an idea of your overall health and your jawbone. The initial testing involves X-rays, blood tests, tooth impressions, etc. You will be required to share details about your medical history, such as any disease you may have had and the prescription medication you used for it. Your dentist will discuss with you details about the number of teeth to be replaced and your suitability for the procedure. Sometimes multiple small procedures are required before the actual dental implant procedure, e.g bone grafting etc.
Tooth Extraction
If you have any damaged tooth that needs to be replaced before the surgery, your dentist will extract it. Your surgeon may administer the use of a local anesthetic to numb and take away the pain. Tooth extraction doesn’t take long unless the tooth is broken or fractured. The extraction is done very carefully, ensuring the surrounding tissue remains intact. You will be given a set of post-extraction instructions to avoid dry sockets and pain.
Inserting the implant and bone grafting
If your dentist has determined that your gums and jaw bone are healthy to receive an implant, he can give you a go-ahead on the implant process. In some cases, if there is any issue with the bone or it is not thick enough to carry the implant, then bone grafting will be carried out.
The bone used for grafting is taken from another part of your jawbone. Your dentist will give your bone graft ample time to heal before proceeding with the implant. The healing process may take 3-4 months to complete.
The placement of the abutment and crown
After your implant is healed, your surgeon will fix an abutment on the implant and place a crown over it. Your dentist will administer local anaesthesia during the process of placing the abutment. You will only feel slight pressure during the process.
How long does the pain last after a dental implant?
The pain after dental implant surgery varies for each individual. Although there is always some degree of discomfort involved during and after the procedure, it shouldn’t stop you from getting implants. The recovery pain is temporary, but your dental implants can last a lifetime.
During the first week of surgery, you might experience pain, swelling and discomfort at the site of the implants. By the second week, the pain should subside as the gum tissue starts to heal.
Why are dental implants painful?
There can be many reasons for experiencing pain after dental implants. Some of them are shared below for you:
Loose cap
If the cap on the implant is not placed well or is ill-fitted, it can result in pain after the dental implant.
Post-surgical infection
Prolonged pain after a dental implant is often linked to infection in the gums, which can be treated through an extensive course of antibiotics.
Loose implants
If the implants are not drilled well into the jaw bone, they may become loose and cause noticeable pain.
Nerve damage
When a nerve is damaged during the implant placement, it can trigger waves of pain and disturbing sensations.
Autoimmune diseases
If you are a patient with an autoimmune disease, then your body may reject the implant after a few months of receiving it. Make sure to highlight your autoimmune condition with your dentist before you settle in for the surgery.
8 tips to manage dental implant pain effectively
Even though pain after the dental implant isn’t excruciating, it is still important to know how to manage it. Keep the following tips in mind for your ease.
- You can take over-the-counter pain medication to curb the pain from the soreness during the first few days of the surgery. Your local drugstore will have ibuprofen, paracetamol and Diclofenac Sodium etc, for dental pain relief. Do not take pain medications with an empty stomach, as this may cause nausea and vomiting.
- Cold compress works wonders with all kinds of surgeries for short-term relief of swelling and pain. It is best to use an ice pack or wrap ice cubes in a towel and gently place it on the site of surgery.
- Take soft and cold food to give comfort to your gums. Hot and hard food can irritate the site of the implant. You can take yogurt, ice cream, smoothies etc.
- Give rest to your jaw and body to recover from the procedure. Avoid talking much while the soreness lasts.
- Rinse with warm salt water to clear up any bacteria that may lead to infection.
- Brush your teeth using a soft-bristle toothbrush and avoid the affected area for the first two-three days.
- Follow your dentist’s advice and use all the medicines, mouthwashes or oral gels as per prescription.
- Smoking is one of the primary reasons for dental implant failure. The toxic particles of tobacco inflame the gums and prevent the growth of healthy tissue resulting in pain and a failed procedure.
Pain and dental implant failure
If your pain is escalating and persists after a month or more, then it could be a serious indication of dental implant failure. A failed dental implant occurs when the implant fails to bond with the jaw bone. In that case, the implant becomes loose and damages nerve endings around it. This can be very painful and requires a visit to the dentist immediately to discuss your options. The dental implant process can be repeated in case the implant fails.
Why is it important to see a dental implant surgeon?
Dental implants are only inserted by experienced professionals who perform a detailed evaluation of your suitability for the procedure and predict chances of success. Getting dental implants from a highly skilled dental professional will reduce the risk of post-surgical complications and dental implant pain.
Are you experiencing pain after dental implants? Book an appointment with Digital Dental Implant Institute or call (02) 4325 5825 for expert consultation on dental implants.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
Everything you need to know about dental implant procedure
https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/dental-implant-procedure#cost
Types of Implants
https://www.aaid-implant.org/what-are-dental-implants/types-of-implants-and-techniques/
Dental Implants
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-implants#:~:text=Local%20anesthesia%20can%20be%20used,pain%20than%20a%20tooth%20extraction.&text=After%20the%20dental%20implant%2C%20mild,such%20as%20Tylenol%20or%20Motrin.
