Do Dental Implants Hurt? Don’t Fear The Dental Implant Pain

It’s probably because the mouth is so sensitive that dental patients are often concerned with pain. In fact, for many patients, it is so much of an issue that they may delay or avoid dental treatments because their fear of dental pain is so acute. Dental implants provide a permanent tooth replacement solution and their benefits far outweigh any postoperative discomfort you may experience. Let’s unpack the question of ‘do dental implants hurt’ and how dental implant pain relates to the dental implant procedure.

What Actually Happens During A Dental Implant Procedure

Contrary to what people tend to think, having dental implants is a process of mini procedures that may take up to 18 months to complete. Dental implants are surgically embedded into the jaw bone, and a certain amount of preparation and waiting needs to happen for the process to work.

Bone Graft Surgery

For patients who have been missing teeth for a period of time, bone loss is likely to have happened. This is because the absence of tooth roots doesn’t stimulate the jaw bone and it loses mass. These patients may require bone graft surgery to stimulate the growth of new bone material in the jaw, this is important for the jaw to be able to support a dental implant.

Placing The Dental Implant

If the bone graft is successful, most patients need to wait a few months before they can have their implant placed. Once the dental implant is placed, a process of osseointegration needs to occur. This is when the implant bonds to the jaw and the jaw grows around it. Dental implant pain is unlikely at this point because you will have had anaesthetic and should not feel any pain. 

Because there is a surgical incision there will be bleeding. Some swelling and discomfort are to be expected, but for the most part, dental implant pain improves as you recover. Most patients find the pain manageable and mild. 

Placing The Abutment

The abutment is an extension that connects the dental implant to the dental crown. In order to attach the abutment, your dentist needs to open up the surgical site again. This means that you may experience some discomfort once the anaesthetic wears off, and you will need to go through the same healing process.

Placing The Dental Crown

This is the last step in your dental implant procedure and is a relatively painless experience where your dentist will create an artificial tooth and attach it to your dental implant so that the gap above your gum line is filled and the crown blends in well with the other teeth in your mouth.

• Keep your head propped up as much as possible, especially when you are sleeping. This prevents blood from pooling in your head, which can exacerbate swelling. 
• Don’t smoke. You should have quit smoking prior to your procedure, and you certainly should not smoke during the recovery period as this can impact negatively on your healing.
• Manage the swelling with a cold compress held to the outside of your face. 
• You might experience some pain at the implant site, which most patients report to be mild. You can take over-the-counter pain medication if it makes you more comfortable.
• Eat soft foods and, if possible, on the other side of your mouth for at least seven days. Your mouth may feel tender for a week after the dental implant procedure and it’s important that you give the implant a chance to settle in.

Timelines For Managing Implant Pain

One Week After Surgery

It is normal to experience a little pain at the dental implant site. You might experience some light bleeding and swelling but it will improve as time goes on.

Two Weeks After Surgery

You should not experience any pain. If your implant is still painful or the pain has got worse, please contact your dentist.it could be an indication that you have an infection that needs treatment.

Three Months After Surgery

If you’re experiencing pain from dental implants three months after your procedure, it is an indication that something is wrong, and needs to be checked urgently. Possible explanations for pain after this point include

• An infection at the site
• An autoimmune response or rejection of the implant
• Damage to tissues or nerves
• Poor blood supply

If you lost teeth to painful dental decay or have had a root canal, it’s worth knowing that the point of having dental implants is to stop the pain. A dental implant procedure is an investment in your future dental health and certainly worth a week or two in recovery time, for a tooth replacement that could last for the rest of your lifetime.

If you are worried about ‘do dental implants hurt’, don’t fear dental implant pain and have faith in your body’s ability to heal itself. Please contact us for a convenient appointment: 

Phone: (02) 9158 6213
Pyrmont NSW 2009

Phone: (02) 9158 6756
Illawong, NSW 2234

Phone: (02) 9159 6083
Sylvania Waters NSW 2224