Do dental implants hurt?

This is one of the most common questions relating to dental implants – do they hurt? It’s understandable that, for many people, dental implant surgery is a scary thing. Even though it’s only minor surgery and there’s no need for general anaesthetic, it can still be very daunting for some patients. These procedures actually come equipped with much less pain than you’d think. You might feel some discomfort, but actual pain? Let’s find out if dental implants hurt and how to manage them.

Do dental implants hurt?

Having the implants placed and fitted shouldn’t hurt. You’ll be safely administered with a local anaesthetic to ensure your procedure is as comfortable as possible, and should you feel any pain you can still communicate with us and let us know. The actual placement doesn’t hurt, but the healing process might be the most painful part for you. Typically, you could experience this discomfort for up to 10 days after the surgery, with swelling that lasts 5 days into this. There are ways to numb this pain, but after two weeks these sensations should have subsided if not completely, then considerably.

How to look after your implant and lessen discomfort

Ice or a cold compress might have been the favourite for a twisted ankle, but it’s also very useful for numbing the healing discomfort of your post-implant placement. Wrap ice cubes in a tea towel, use an ice pack, or even a bag of frozen peas and hold it to the area of sensitivity.

Rinse your mouth with salt water about 2-3 times a day after the first 24 hours post-procedure. Take a teaspoon of salt and mix it into lukewarm water to help disinfect your minor surgery site and keep it clean. It may sting a little, but this will help with the overall pain and help to disinfect your treated area. Be gentle when you rinse, though!

Soft and cold foods are a great diet substitute to make your meal times more comfortable. If you were looking for an excuse to eat ice cream, then you’ve got it! Avoid acidic foods and drinks and opt for those packed full of vitamins and nutrients to keep your immune system at full health while your implant heals. This is a proactive way of fighting bacteria, preventing infection, and generally helping the healing along.

Seek your dental implant dentist if you’re worried because we can help either set your mind at ease or treat any complications you may encounter. Regardless of whether you’re experiencing something that doesn’t feel right or would appreciate a little more guidance, we are always on hand to help. We will schedule your post-procedural check-ups to make sure that you are healing correctly anyway, but if at any point you’d like to see us between these appointments then you are of course welcome to visit our Stourbridge dental practice.

Is there any special care once my dental implant is healed?

Surprisingly, there actually isn’t that much special care to be taken once your dental implant is healed and integrated into your mouth! There’s no special brush or products you have to buy, simply make sure you clean it as attentively as you should be doing your natural teeth. We’d still appreciate an appointment every 6 months to check that all is well, as we’d expect from someone who hadn’t received a tooth replacement, but this is the extent of the ‘special’ care required.

If you’d like to find out more about dental implants in Stourbridge, visit Lion Dental Centre today. Enquire online or book your initial consultation on 01384 376336.