Are Dental Implants Painful?

If you’re missing one or even several teeth, you may be considering dental implants from your dentist in The Woodlands. After all, dental implants are an excellent way to replace your natural tooth as well as the tooth root. They’re permanent, secure, and can transform your life. But just how painful is it to get dental implants? 

What to Expect

Deciding to get a dental implant is an important decision to make, so it’s important to know what to expect before your procedure. Dental implant treatment is a surgical procedure that can be completed in one day under either general or local anesthesia. Your dentist in The Woodlands will prep the area, which may include extracting a damaged tooth or performing a bone graft if your jaw needs more support. After that, the process includes: 

• Placing the implant into the jaw bone
• Allowing the bone to fuse to the implant (this can take a few months)
• Placing an abutment for the crown to sit on
• Finishing up with an artificial tooth that’s custom-crafted to match your ideal smile

Does it Hurt? 

Any type of surgery can be scary, especially when we’re talking about placing a metal post into the jaw bone. However, thanks to advancements in dental technology, many patients don’t experience any pain during the actual treatment and some may only have minor discomfort after the procedure. Mild pain can occur at the placement location as well as in the face and jaw. The good news is that patients often say this temporary pain is well worth getting their smile back. 

How Long Does The Pain Last? 

While it can depend on the case, most patients can feel some level of discomfort for about 10-14 days. There may also be some swelling, but the pain is often well controlled with antibiotics, following post-op instructions, and perhaps painkillers. If pain lasts longer than 14 days, patients should schedule an appointment with their dentist in The Woodlands to make sure everything is healing properly. 

What You Can do To Reduce Pain

Besides following your dentist’s instructions, there are things you can do to help promote healing and relieve pain quickly. 

• Gently rinse with warm saltwater
• Avoid crunchy and hot foods
• Continue to brush and floss your teeth, taking care to brush gently near the implant site
• Use a cold compress to help reduce swelling

You don’t have to live with missing teeth. There are many options to replace your natural teeth, including dental implants or perhaps dentures. Talk to your dentist in The Woodlands about the best way to replace missing teeth so you can make the right choice for yourself.

Welcoming new patients from throughout The Woodlands at both of our dental offices on Panther Creek and Medical Plaza Drive.  

About The Author

Dr. Alisa M. Reed

Dr. Alisa Reed is a seasoned dentist with over 25 years of experience in the dentistry field spanning preventive to cosmetic dentistry. She regularly attends continuing dental education classes and seminars on advanced dental procedures. Passionate about helping her patients achieve optimal oral health and well-being, she has recently started treating those with sleep apnea through effective sleep medicine treatments.

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