Dental implants are the strongest, most reliable form of tooth replacement. If you are thinking about getting them, you have a lot to look forward to! However, perhaps you are reluctant because you are afraid of what the process might feel like. After all, you will have to undergo surgery. What can you expect throughout your treatment journey? Does it hurt to get dental implants? This blog post explains what you should know.
What Does the Surgery Feel Like?
During dental implant surgery, your surgeon will numb the treatment area with local anesthesia. That means you should not feel sharp pain while the implant goes into your jaw. You may notice pressure, vibration, or movement, but those sensations should not feel painful. If you start to get very uncomfortable, let your care team know so they can make adjustments.
If you feel nervous about oral surgery or your procedure will be particularly extensive, you may qualify for sedation. With the help of oral medication, nitrous oxide, or IV sedation, you can expect to feel very relaxed, sleepy, and less aware of time passing. After your surgery, you might not even remember it.
What to Expect as You Heal
After surgery, you can expect mild to moderate soreness and tenderness along with some swelling. For many patients, discomfort peaks during the first 24 – 48 hours and improves over the next several days. Most soreness fades within 3 – 5 days, though minor tenderness may last up to a week or longer. Your surgeon may recommend pain medicine, ice packs, rest, and soft foods to help you stay comfortable during this stage.
You should contact your dental team if your pain feels severe, gets worse instead of better, or reappears after an initial period of improvement. You should also call if you notice heavy bleeding, fever, pus, or swelling that does not start to go down. These issues are not normal and could point to an infection or other problems.
Getting Your New Teeth
A few months after your surgery, your dental team will attach your beautiful new teeth to your implants. This process is generally quite easy. Although you may notice some gum tenderness afterward, there should be no downtime or lengthy recovery afterward.
Dental implant treatment may sound intimidating, but the entire experience is much easier than most patients expect! Talk to a qualified oral surgeon to learn more about what you can expect during and after your surgery.
Meet the Practice
Dr. Steve Koo is a board-certified oral surgeon with many years of experience. Along with Drs. William Shepard and Talal Beidas, he and our team provide a range of advanced dental implant services. We are also qualified to offer multiple forms of sedation — we prioritize patient comfort! To learn more about us or to schedule a consultation, contact our Cypress, TX, office at 713-364-9903.