Useful, resilient, and long-lasting — the three words that best describe a dental implant. Although dubbed as a ‘fake tooth,’ dental implants are made out of ceramic or porcelain crowns with a titanium bottom, an element that makes them biocompatible. Which, in short, doesn’t irritate your mouth and can quickly adapt to the inner workings of your jawbone.
As feasible as they are, though, people often wonder whether a dental implant is painful or not. And honestly, it depends. Nonetheless, in this blog, we’ll answer all your burning questions and help paint a picture of dental implant pain levels.
Is a Dental Implant Painful?
Dental implant surgery does not hurt despite a lot of drilling and sawing, simply because you’re under anesthesia throughout the procedure. Thus, despite the intrusive nature of the surgery, there’s barely any pain involved!
Of course, you can expect discomfort and tenderness in your gums the next day once the anesthesia wears off. But even then, your dentist will prescribe pain relief medications to prevent the constant ache.
How Long Does the Pain Last?
Every person is built differently. People have varying levels of pain tolerance, making it hard to set an exact timeline of when the pain ends. Nonetheless, as long as you follow your dentist’s instructions, your dental implant healing stages will pass by in a breeze.
On the other hand, most patients claim that the entire recovery time can last up to 6 weeks. This means during this time, you must follow strict dietary regulations and limit your physical activities.
Plus, even though it takes around six weeks to heal entirely, your gums heal at a much faster pace. So, by the 15th day, you can considerably feel the pain or discomfort lower.
Are Dental Implants Safe?
Considering how dental implants have been in the dentistry business for over 30 years, it’s a no-brainer. Dental implants are 100% safe. In fact, most dentists recommend getting a dental implant as long as the patient has no severe health condition to buffer the surgery.
Plus, if you compare an implant to other cosmetic dentistry procedures, such as crowns, veneers, dentures, or bridges, you get way more out of your money.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Getting a Dental Implant
Now that you know about dental implants, it’s time to find out some additional information. The following tips are crucial to remember before you decide on your dental implant surgery:
- You will have to incorporate soft foods into your post-surgery diet and exclusively eat that for at least 10 to 15 days.
- There may be slight discomfort every time you open or close your mouth until the implant has completely healed.
- You will be required to take vitamins and supplements to increase your body’s defense system.
- You will not be able to pursue any physical activities that strain your facial structure and bones.
- Smoking and drinking alcohol will be banned until your healing process is complete.
- At times, the stitches may irk you, but they will either dissolve or get taken out once the area is repaired.
- You will have to use the other side of the mouth to eat so you don’t further irritate the wound.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, the answer to ‘is dental implant painful?’ is an immediate no, especially when you’re sedated during the surgery and prescribed medications after. For more information, you can contact Houston Dental Implant & Cosmetic Center. You can even schedule an appointment by giving us a ring at (713) 664-1661 (Bellaire).