Many experts call dental implants the “gold standard” of tooth restorations because implants look, feel, and function more like natural teeth than other options. One of the biggest questions we hear at Pomerado Family Dental is this: “are dental implants painful?”
The truth is, since this is a surgical procedure, you can expect some discomfort. However, you should be back to your normal self within 2 weeks. In this article, we’ll discuss what you should expect with dental implants and when you should contact the clinic.
Dr. Sarju Patel specializes in a variety of dental procedures, including dental implants. He is also a member of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, the California Dental Association, and the American Dental Association.
Some Pain is Normal After a Dental Implant
Many of our patients avoid dental implants because they worry that the implant surgery will be painful. However, you will be provided with local anesthesia to numb the area, and if necessary, sedation will be administered. This will ensure that you don’t feel the surgery itself.
The healing process can be uncomfortable, and you may have some mild pain. The good news is, most of the time, this can be controlled by OTC pain relievers or the prescription pain reliever the dentist gives you.
6 Types of Pain You May Experience After a Dental Implant Procedure
As your implants heal, there are a few different types of pain/discomfort you may experience:
Throbbing pain
A throbbing pain is an indicator that the incision has opened or that the bone isn’t fusing with the implant.
Pressure
Pressure is normal for the first few days following surgery. You may feel some tightness because you have a foreign object in your jaw. As you adjust to the implant, the pressure will subside.
Dull ache
Dental implant surgery is fairly invasive; therefore, it is normal to experience a dull ache for the first few days. However, this should subside fairly quickly.
Ear pain
If the implant is placed in the back of your mouth, the pain from your mouth may translate to ear pain. While ear pain may be normal, it also may indicate that there are complications with the surgery.
Neighboring tooth pain
If you experience pain in the neighboring teeth, it may be an indicator that the implant has a poor fit or that there is decay/infection in that tooth.
Discomfort following crown placement
Many patients feel some minor tightness and pressure following crown placement- but pain indicates that the crown doesn’t fit properly or that bacteria has gotten under the crown, causing an infection.
How Long Should Dental Implant Pain Last?
For most patients, dental implant pain only lasts for about a week before they are back to normal. However, some patients experience pain and discomfort for up to 2 weeks. It depends on how your body heals. It’s important to allow yourself to rest and take it easy during this time. Don’t push yourself too hard or too fast.
Minimize Your Risk of Implant Pain
There are a few things you can do to minimize your risk of implant pain, including:
- Choose a dentist with experience/expertise in implants
- Take appropriate medications
- Practice proper oral hygiene
- Stick to an appropriate diet
- Use home remedies to relieve pain
- Refrain from smoking and alcohol
- Get plenty of rest
When Should You Call the Dentist?
Since dental implant placement is a fairly invasive surgery, you should expect to experience some pain. However, the pain is generally mild and completely worth it because the implant restores the look, feel, and functionality of a natural tooth.
If you are still experiencing pain after 2 weeks, it may be an indicator that something has gone wrong with the implant. Contact Pomerado Family Dental and schedule an exam right away. This will allow us to determine and resolve the source of the pain.
