Are Dental Implants Painful?
This is one question we all think of, but we're a bit shy of asking. Well, this article has been written for you so that no one has to know you ever asked that question. As a family dentistry in Herndon VA, we ensure that we take adequate care of our patients. Dental implants are an excellent alternative to dentures, bridges, and root canals. The significant difference between all these alternatives is that Dental implants are placed surgically.
Because it is placed surgically, patients are often concerned and ask, "Will I feel pain due to dental implants?" we will be answering this particular question in two stages, during the procedure and during the healing period.
Do dental Implants hurt during the surgical procedure?
To avoid putting the patient in distress or pain, dentists, while implanting single dental implants, numb the area on which they will conduct the procedure with a local anesthetic. Thanks to the anesthetic, patients wouldn't feel any pain during the gum incision or drilling of the implant into the Jawbone.
Another interesting fact is that the Jawbone has no nerves. This is very convenient because patients wouldn’t feel a thing because there aren't any nerve receptors to send pain signals. Most patients will experience a feeling of pressure or maybe a tingling in the area.
When patients are having a full mouth dental implant procedure, they are administered general anesthesia to help them sleep soundly. Once you're asleep, the procedure begins, so you will neither feel a thing nor be aware of the surgery. Towards the end of the surgery, local anesthesia will be administered around your mouth region to keep it numb while you wake and rest.
Is the healing period or post-surgery painful?
After the surgery and when the effects of the anesthesia begin to wear off, patients usually experience some tenderness for the first few days. Some can describe a little discomfort or pain. However, it is mild and can be easily endured. Your surgeon will also prescribe some pain relievers you can use to make the pain more manageable; however, patients hardly ever need to use the medication.
Have you ever had a tooth extracted? Many patients say that the post-surgery pain of dental implants is less than that of tooth extraction.
If, after 72 hours, you are still experiencing significant pain, kindly seek medical attention or schedule an appointment with a dentist for a follow-up. Have you ever heard of the "6 months healing period"? this refers strictly to your healing from the surgery but doesn't mean you will suffer post surgical pain for that long. It is also called the “Osseointegration period," which is when the implants naturally fuse with your Jawbone.
During that period, there are particular food and hygiene guidelines given, but this is to help with the fusing and not primarily to prevent pain. You aren't expected to be in pain for these six months.
Our dental health is vital, and it goes a long way in defining our looks, for this reason we also offer teeth whitening services in Herndon VA.
