Are dental implants painful?

“Are dental implants painful?” This is a question that comes up time and again during consultations for dental implants here at our Kent-based dental practice.

Because dental implant surgery is performed using local anaesthetic, you shouldn’t feel anything at all when you’re in the dentist’s chair having your implants placed. As we’ve mentioned in a past blog about dental implants, most people find the experience of having a dental implant put in far better than having a tooth extracted. There may be a psychological component to this – knowing that a tooth will be restored is mentally easier to process than the idea of a tooth being taken away.

Your mouth will feel numb throughout each surgical stage of having dental implants, but if you are very worried about how you will feel during the implant procedure, do talk to us about sedative options as these are available to help you relax. If you do opt for a sedative, you may find that you remember little of the procedure afterwards, even though you will be awake during the whole thing.

Once the anaesthetic wears off, you will experience some pain and discomfort, but do be reassured that most people manage this well with over-the-counter painkillers. For several days after your treatment, you may want to eat soft food that’s gentle on your healing gums, especially as you will have stitches in your gums. You may need more recovery time if you have several implants, whereas most people feel up to returning to work 24-48 hours after a single implant.

How long will the discomfort last?

Generally speaking, any pain or discomfort should go within a week to ten days. The amount of soreness you feel will depend on various factors, such as where the implant was placed, or whether you needed a complex treatment, bone grafting, or sinus surgery. Every individual feels pain differently and has unique recovery rates.

Where might I feel discomfort?

During the first few days post-treatment, you may feel some discomfort in your cheeks, chin and underneath your eyes. You may also notice some bruising, swelling and/or bleeding at the dental implant site. It is common for the initial discomfort to subside after a couple of days and then to return on the fourth and fifth days as your mouth really gets down to the process of healing.

Dental implants at Roseacre Dental Practice

We always give meticulously detailed aftercare instructions about what to eat, what medication to take and how to keep your mouth clean to keep you feeling comfortable and to help prevent infection.
If you are concerned about your pain levels or you are still in pain two to three weeks post-treatment, you should seek advice immediately in case you have an infection or there is a problem with your implant.
Most people find that the second surgical stage of the procedure – having the abutment fitted on top of the titanium screw to act as a base for the false tooth – is far more comfortable than the initial procedure.
The majority of patients who come to Roseacre Cottage Dental for dental implants in Kent tell us that the discomfort of this treatment is well worth it and soon subsides, leaving them a healthy, pain-free smile in the long run.

If you’d like to know more about dental implants in Kent, call us at Roseacre Cottage Dental on 01622 730 548 to book a consultation.