A major concern for many of our dental implant patients is the possible pain associated with a medical procedure. While pain is quite subjective and can vary widely from patient to patient, it is often reported that patients find the procedure much less painful than expected. At Foothill Center for Dental Implants and Oral Surgery, our priority is your health and comfort – our diligent staff will work to minimize any pain and provide excellent aftercare following your dental implant.
A major concern for many of our dental implant patients is the possible pain associated with a medical procedure. While pain is quite subjective and can vary widely from patient to patient, it is often reported that patients find the procedure much less painful than expected. At Foothill Center for Dental Implants and Oral Surgery, our priority is your health and comfort – our diligent staff will work to minimize any pain and provide excellent aftercare following your dental implant.
Are Dental Implants More Painful than Other Tooth Replacement Options?
Unlike other tooth-replacement methods such as bridges or dentures, dental implants require surgery and a healing process. While some patients may be concerned by the prospect of surgery, we can assure you that the short and long-term benefits of a dental implant far outweigh the temporary discomfort while you recover. Additionally, once healed, dental implants act like natural teeth, unlike bridges or dentures, which can cause frequent and lasting discomfort.
Dental Implant Surgery & Recovery
There are two parts to consider when thinking about the potential pain involved in a dental implant procedure. The first is the surgery itself – the surgeon will need to cut into your gum in order to place the implant. A local anesthetic is used, so you will not feel any pain whatsoever during this time. The doctor will also drill into your jawbone – while this sounds terrifying, please note that there are no nerve endings in your jawbone, so the most you may feel is some pressure. It is not uncommon for the doctor to provide some pain medication before the procedure to make you more comfortable once the local anesthetic wears off. Certainly, IV sedation is available at Foothill Center for Dental Implants and Oral Surgery for those who require it.
After surgery comes recovery. The recovery process of a dental implant procedure can be temporarily uncomfortable. However, most patients note that an over-the-counter pain medication such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen is more than capable of managing any tenderness you may feel following surgery. Amongst dental professionals, the consensus is that there is not too much pain involved in this procedure. If you are experiencing severe pain in the weeks following your dental implant procedure, you’ll need to contact your doctor for a follow-up visit. You can read more about the circumstances surrounding dental implant failure on our blog.
During recovery, it is essential to follow any instructions our team has provided on what to avoid while your body is healing, as well as any advice on at-home maintenance to support your speedy recovery. This may include not using straws in the days following your surgery, rinsing with salt water a few times daily, avoiding smoking, or avoiding hot foods.
Glendale, Pasadena, and La Cañada dental implant patients can trust Foothill Center for Dental Implants and Oral Surgery to care for them and walk them through their full implant procedure and recovery.
