Are Dental Implants Painful?

Introduction

One of the most reliable and long-lasting ways to replace missing teeth, Dental Implants have become a popular choice for those wanting to restore their teeth.

The Dental Implants surgery involves opening up the tissue in the mouth and drilling one or more titanium rods into the bone underneath the gums, providing a permanent root for a replacement false tooth.

It is a surgery and thus is inclined to cause at least some amount of pain and discomfort.

Most dental patients are worried about the level of pain they may experience after the surgery and how long it will last.

Many patients are nervous about getting a dental implant due to fear of the pain, which is quite natural.

Though the fear of pain is understandable, modern-day technologies and procedures have made a massive improvement in pain management.

Dental Implant Surgery- A Brief Overview

Dental Implants involve removal of the tooth, insertion of an implant rod or a screw, and insertion of the replacement tooth. All these procedures are usually spaced far apart.

After the natural tooth is removed and before an implant is placed, the area is prepared with a bone graft, to encourage the production of new bone, which helps strengthen the jawbone and ensures the proper integration of the implant with the bone.

During dental implant surgery, a hole is drilled into the jawbone by the dental surgeon and a metal post is placed into this hole.

The metal post then works as an artificial tooth root. This post needs time to integrate into the jaw bone to allow the bone to grow through it.

The whole process which is essential for a healthy and stable implant may often take months.

The component to which the dental crown is attached is called an Abutment and it is usually not placed on the post until the integration is complete.

A minor surgery might sometimes be needed to place the abutment.

This may also cause some bleeding and swelling, but the pain from this surgery is quite less than the pain experienced after placing the metal post.

Does Dental Implant Surgery Hurt?

Dental Implant Surgery implicates trauma to both the gums and the jaw can cause some pain and discomfort like any other surgery.

However, every patient has different pain tolerance and reacts differently to the pain.

Modern techniques and advanced pain management can help one get a practically pain-free treatment.

The procedure of Dental Implant involves anaesthesia, so one shouldn’t feel any pain during dental implant surgery.

This includes local anaesthesia, and may sometimes include extra sedation or general anaesthesia to reduce both pain and anxiety.

The anaesthesia options are explained by the oral surgeon before the surgery.

In some cases, a certain type of anaesthesia may be needed to avoid the pain during the procedure, according to the unique needs of the patient.

The patients usually feel some level of pain as the numbness from anaesthesia wears off.

Pain medication is provided to help manage the discomfort at the implant site. 

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