Dental implants are the #1 recommended restoration for missing teeth. Why?
There are several benefits of replacing your missing teeth with dental implants. Dental implants not only look and feel like your natural teeth, but they also function like it.
However:
Anytime the word “surgery” is associated with something, it tends to have a negative connotation.
With dental implant surgery, a lot of our patients ask us, “Is it painful to get dental implants?“
Our Simpsonville dentist, Dr. Godwin, wants to take a moment to tell you the truth about dental implants and what to expect with dental implant surgery.
Does dental implant surgery hurt?
First, let’s go over the surgical phase of a dental implant in Simpsonville, SC:
- Step 1: You will be numbed with local anesthesia. We will not begin the procedure until the tooth area is completely numb.
- Step 2: A space is created in your gums and jaw bone for the titanium post (the dental implant). Our dentists use 3D computerized planning to precisely place implants for predictable and long-lasting results.
- Step 3: The post is inserted and secured. A cap is placed on top to keep it safe while it heals for the next few months. Sometimes, you may need a stitch or two to help your gums heal.
The key thing to focus on here is step one: numbed with local anesthesia. This is essentially the answer to your question, “do dental implants hurt?”
Local anesthesia will numb the nerves surrounding the dental implant area. With numbed nerves, you can expect not to feel any pain during your dental implant procedure.
You may feel pressure at times, but it should not cause you discomfort.
For patients who have anxiety with dental procedures, oral sedation is available.
Am I a good candidate for dental implants?
If you are missing one or more teeth, then you are maybe a good candidate for dental implants. But sometimes, you may require an additional one or two steps before dental implant surgery.
Why?
When you lose a tooth, the surrounding bone begins to deteriorate. To successfully get a dental implant, you need enough bone to support the post. So depending on how long your tooth has been missing, you may not have enough bone remaining.
If your tooth is extracted in our office, then we can help you restore your bone with a bone graft. This procedure uses bone grafting material to build up enough bone structure for a dental implant.
The best part of the entire dental implant procedure is that often this can all be done under one roof at Simpsonville Dental Associates. Our dental implant dentists are trained to prep, place, and restore your smile with dental implants.
How long is the dental implants recovery?
Most patients are pleasantly surprised at how simple dental implant surgery is and consider it easier than getting a tooth pulled.
You can expect to return to work or your daily activities the next day.
If you begin to feel any soreness, we recommend taking over-the-counter pain relievers like Advil. Similar to other dental procedures, avoiding hard foods is best, and using an ice pack can help with the swelling.
The healing time for a dental implant to fuse with your bone can take four or more months. Once it is fully healed, you will be ready for the next step: your crown restoration, which will look like a natural tooth and can be made right in our office.
Have a question about dental implants?
Ask us!
Our dentists and dental team are happy to answer any questions you have.
If you would like to schedule a dental implant consultation, contact us today!
- Call us: (864) 963-3601
- Email us: sda@smiledox.com