The risks of dental implants are rare, but they can occur just like with any other surgery. These risks can include injuries and infections at the implant site. Nerve damage and sinus problems can also occur, and rapid prosthodontist intervention can be vital to recovery. Dental implant surgery involves trauma to both the gums and the jaw.
The surgery itself should not involve any pain, as it will numb your mouth. However, as the numbness goes away, patients usually feel some level of pain. The procedure itself is more intrusive than bridges, it's a bit more perforating than fillings, but thanks to anesthetics it doesn't cause pain. There is some discomfort and there may be some gum pain the next day, but the vast majority of patients say that the process was a bit long, but simple and that it really was nothing to worry about.
Since getting dental implants means cutting your jaw, it makes sense that many people are wary of the procedure and the amount of pain it will cause. So how much do dental implants hurt? How long does the dental implant recovery process take? Read on to learn more about the procedure and what you can expect. Dental implants are gaining popularity, as they provide a permanent, non-removable and more natural restoration for missing teeth. Bone loss is a major problem for those who use dental prostheses and a common cause that makes a person not an ideal candidate for dental implants.
First things first: it's imperative that you follow your dentist's advice, don't smoke, and maintain good dental hygiene in accordance with your recovery plan. While surgery isn't known to be painless, dental implants are one of the most accessible operations. The pain that patients feel when undergoing dental implant surgery is not actually due to the hole made in the bone or the placement of the implant, but generally comes from the manipulation of the soft tissue that occurs during the process. During an initial consultation, your dentist will analyze the quality of your remaining teeth, gums, and jaw to determine if dental implants are right for you.
Before undergoing this surgery, many dental patients are concerned about the level of pain they may experience afterwards and how long it will last. The procedure is fairly quick and usually takes about 1 hour to complete, depending on the number of implants placed. The process of numbing the area, making the incision, drilling and installing the implants will take approximately one hour. A simple dental implant, for a patient with good bones and who doesn't need a lot of soft tissue surgery, has a pain level of between two and three in the first 24 to 48 hours, which means that over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol or Advil will fix any discomfort you're feeling.
The implants are designed to be a permanent tooth replacement and, once completed, the implant process will leave the patient with a beautifully restored smile. However, people considering undergoing dental implant surgery should not allow fear of post-surgical discomfort to discourage them from continuing.