How long do dental implants hurt

If you’ve recently had a dental implant placed, you may be wondering when you can expect your pain and discomfort to subside after surgery. At Precision Dental, we want all of our patients to be informed about aftercare and the healing process, whether you received your implant from Dr. Packard or not. Here are a few things you should know about the implant healing process, pain after implant surgery, and how long it takes to get back to normal:

Is Dental Implant Pain Normal After Surgery?

Yes. Some minor pain and discomfort are normal after treatment. At Precision Dental, Dr. Packard uses the latest technology and surgical techniques to ensure the procedure is minimally-invasive and pain-free. However, the process of placing a dental implant still involves major oral surgery to create an opening in the gums and jaw where your implant can be placed.

It’s totally normal to feel some pain and discomfort after surgery when the numbing agents and dental sedation wear off. However, you will likely notice some pain, discomfort, swelling, bruising and inflammation by the end of the day. Some bleeding is also common for the first 24-48 hours after treatment. Follow the instructions given to you by your dentist to ensure that you modify your diet and activities properly, and give your mouth enough time to heal. 

How Long Will It Take For Pain from an Implant to Subside? 

In most cases, the discomfort will peak within about 3-5 days after your treatment, and then begin to subside relatively quickly. By the end of your first week post-surgery, you should be feeling little, if any, discomfort and pain. 

Other symptoms like swelling, bruising and inflammation should begin to fade quite a bit by this time, as well. Depending on how quickly you’re healing, your mouth will begin to feel normal again about 1-2 weeks after your implant placement surgery. At this time, you should feel no more pain, and you can eat your normal diet and resume strenuous activities like exercise. 

What Should I Do If I’m Feeling Serious Pain 2+ Weeks After Surgery? 

The vast majority of dental implant patients should be healed within about 2 weeks after surgery, though another 3-6 months is necessary to ensure that your implant completely bonds with your jaw bone. If you are still experiencing serious pain and discomfort after 2 weeks, this is a sign that something may be wrong. Come in for a visit to get an oral exam and determine the cause of your pain. 

The most likely issue is an infection of the dental implant site. This is very rare, but can cause inflammation and pain around your dental implant. It’s often possible to clean and disinfect the implant site and use antibiotics to eliminate the infection and save your dental implant.

Another rare cause of pain after implant could be bodily rejection of your dental implant. If you have an undiagnosed mental allergy, your body may reject the implant, which can prevent proper healing and cause pain and discomfort.

Interested In Dental Implants In Bowling Green? Trust Dr. Bryan Packard! 

If you want to avoid complications when getting dental implants in Bowling Green, you need to choose an experienced implant dentist. Dr. Bryan Packard is an expert in implant dentistry and can help you find out if this treatment is right for you. To get started and schedule a consultation, just give us a call at 270-715-9214, or stop by our office at 2625 Nashville Road, Suite 103, Bowling Green, KY 42101.

You may be considering having a dental implant procedure if you have lost one or more teeth. There are many reasons people lose teeth throughout their life, such as trauma, gum disease, and tooth decay. The effects can be both physical and mental.

You may find it more difficult to speak clearly, food and debris can become lodged in the gap, causing infections, and it may be more challenging to chew. You may become self-conscious about your appearance, especially when smiling, leading to lower self-esteem and confidence.

Using modern techniques, your dentist may be able to use a dental implant to replace a lost tooth. It is even possible to replace multiple teeth or even all of your teeth if necessary.

A dental implant looks, feels, and functions just like a healthy tooth. However, some patients may have concerns about dental implant surgery. The most frequent question for our dentists is, “Are dental implants painful”? The best way to address this question is to explain the procedure and precisely what it entails.

Why Choose Dental Implants?

In addition to this benefit, dental implants also provide enough biting pressure to maintain bone density in the jaw. Tooth loss leads to deterioration in the jawbone, as the bone isn’t being stimulated by chewing and biting.

Over time, just one missing tooth can cause structural changes in the jaw, causing other teeth to shift. Dental implants are an alternative to dentures that can slip and have to be replaced every 5-7 years. They also don’t provide the necessary bite pressure to maintain jawbone density.

Planning and Consultation

Your first step to getting a dental implant is to meet with your dentist for a consultation and examination. Your dentist takes X-rays of your teeth and jaw and determines if additional teeth must be extracted first. If you’ve lost bone density in your jaw, you may need a bone graft before you can receive your dental implant.

Dental Implant Procedure

To insert the small titanium dental implant, your dentist safely drills a tiny hole in your jawbone. The implant mimics the root of your original tooth. If you are replacing multiple teeth, your dentist installs several implants that serve as a bridge for the new teeth.

This is a surgical operation, and your dentist typically gives you a local anesthetic to numb the affected areas. Although they are making a small incision in your gum, there is unlikely to be dental implant pain, as the anesthetic helps to alleviate discomfort. At No Gaps Dental, several of our locations also offer inhalation sedation dentistry using laughing gas to ease any anxiety you may have.

There should not be any dental implant pain in your jaw because there are actually very few nerve endings in this area. You should only feel the vibration and pressure of the dentist’s tools during the procedure.

After your dentist has inserted the implant, they ask you to close your teeth over a piece of gauze gently. This helps the implant take hold and stems bleeding from the gums. You can expect the recovery phase to last for 7-10 days. Your gums will be very sensitive immediately after the operation, but there are steps you can take to minimize dental implant pain.

How to Minimize Tooth Implant Pain

In the first 24 hours, any tooth implant pain is likely caused by mild swelling of the gums. This is when the gums are at their most sensitive, and there may be inflammation, which makes it difficult to talk or eat.

You have been through a surgical operation; therefore, it is essential to get plenty of rest and to stay hydrated. Gently brush your natural teeth or temporary crowns, taking care not to put undue pressure on your new dental implant.

For at least one week after surgery, use a warm salt water rinse to clean around the inside of your mouth. This will also help to avoid infection and cleanse your mouth of bacteria build-up.

To reduce swelling in the gums, use an ice pack. Gently press it to the side of your mouth and allow it to soothe any discomfort. You can also take over-the-counter pain relievers to ease any discomfort you may feel.

Eat Sensibly

After your dental implant surgery, you must adapt your diet to help your new implants take hold and to avoid causing unnecessary discomfort.

Eat soft foods such as beans, rice, and fruit, such as bananas. Drink beverages that are low in sugar and are not hot. Your gums are particularly sensitive after your procedure, so treat them gently. Avoid tougher foods such as steak, apples, and carrots while you recover. Trying to chew food that is difficult to break down may cause complications with your new implants and lead to discomfort.

Final Thoughts

After any surgery, there is likely to be discomfort. Dental implant pain is to be expected, but it is manageable. With proper care and following your dentist’s protocols, you can resume eating normal foods in just 7-10 days after your dental implant procedure.

During the procedure, any discomfort is managed by your dentist. After the procedure, patients can follow sensible precautions to ensure their recovery period is short and relatively comfortable. Aftercare is essential, and your dentist can advise on best practices.

At No Gaps Dental, our professionals have many years of experience performing dental implant surgeries. Contact us today to arrange a consultation on (02) 8007 6727.

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.

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