Today, more and more dentists and patients alike are starting to favor dental implants as a method for replacing missing teeth. However, when you find out that the implant posts need to be surgically placed in the jaw, you may have reservations. Is getting dental implants painful? And is there anything you can do to keep yourself as comfortable as possible? Here’s what you need to know before dental implant placement.
Will There Be Pain During Dental Implant Surgery?
Thanks to modern methods of pain management in dentistry, there is generally little to no discomfort to worry about during the process of having dental implants placed in your jaw. The very first step is to apply a local anesthetic to the site where the implant posts will be inserted. This keeps the area numb, so you won’t feel any pain (although you might experience a bit of pressure from time to time).
Will There Be Pain After Dental Implant Surgery?
Once the procedure is complete and the numbness in your mouth has worn off, you are likely to feel some soreness. That said, it will be less painful than what you would experience after certain other procedures such as tooth extraction. You should be able to manage the discomfort until it goes away on its own; this can take around two weeks, although you’re likely to notice an improvement after three days.
What Can You Do to Keep Yourself Comfortable After Dental Implant Surgery?
One of the most important steps for keeping your discomfort under control in the days following dental implant surgery is to take any medications that were prescribed to you. Be sure to strictly follow any instructions you were given, particularly in regard to how much you should take and how often.
Below are a few other things you can do to make your discomfort more manageable after receiving dental implants:
- Plan on taking it easy for at least a few days. Avoid any form of strenuous exercise that could raise your blood pressure and cause bleeding at the site where the implant posts were placed.
- Periodically hold a cold compress over the affected area to decrease swelling and discomfort. Remember not to use a cold compress for more than 15 minutes at a time.
- Avoid hard or crunchy foods while your mouth is recovering. Stick to soft foods like mashed potatoes and scrambled eggs.
There’s no need to let fear of discomfort stop you from pursuing dental implants as a way to reclaim a complete smile. If you still have questions or concerns about the procedure, you can let your dentist know during a dental implant consultation.
About the Practice
At Rausch Family Dentistry, we have been bringing families in Stone Mountain high-end dental care for over 25 years. Thanks to our highly-trained dental experts and state-of-the-art technology, we are able to place and restore dental implants under a single roof. If you’re interested in using dental implants to replace your missing teeth, visit our website or call (770) 931-3388.
