Are dental implants painful?

Does it hurt?

1. Process: first appointment, two hours; second appointment, crown fitting, 1 hour max.
2. Some injections can sting, but once the anaesthetic works, there is no pain during the treatment.
3. Post-treatment, your gums can ache.

The procedure is more intrusive than bridges. There is a little more drilling than fillings, but there is no pain thanks to anaesthetics. There is some discomfort, and there can be some gum ache the next day, but the vast majority of patients say the process was quite long it was very straightforward and simple and not really anything to make a fuss of.

What’s the procedure like?

1. The procedure itself involves local anaesthetic.
2. This allows your dentist to cut the gum line to reveal the jaw where an implant is drilled and fixed permanently.
3. Although this sounds painful, the jaw has no nerve endings, which is fantastic news if you’re feeling squeamish at the idea.
4. You may feel slight discomfort from the pressure, but that is about it.

The procedure is fairly quick and usually takes around 1 hour to complete, depending on the number of implants being fitted.

Avoiding any discomfort

Your dentist may provide you with pain medication before the surgery.
This will help you once the anaesthesia has worn off, ensuring you have enough pain relief to see you through.
It is normal to expect some discomfort post-op, but your dentist will help you manage this.
More often than not a tailored aftercare plan is delivered to ensure that your individual needs have been met and catered to.
This means that your recovery is as likely to be as pain-free as possible.

Aftercare and Healing

Recovery time depends on how many implants you are due to be fitted and your overall health level, but most patients will recover 10 days post-procedure.
Although it is expected to experience minor discomfort after the first 7 days has passed, if your pain exceeds the two-week mark it is vital you make a follow-up appointment to ensure that there is no infection.

It is worth pointing out that this outcome is exceedingly rare, but here are some things you can do to mitigate and protect against infection. First things first it is imperative that you follow your dentist’s advice, remain smoke-free and maintain good dental hygiene following your recovery plan.

Reduce any discomfort at home

• Apply an ice pack to the outer cheek to help numb the pain and reduce swelling.
• Gently gargle using warm saltwater. This may sting slightly but will help fight off any infectious bacteria.
• Make sure your whole body gets plenty of rest. This means no heavy lifting and no strenuous exercise.
• Cold, soft or pureed foods are preferable during this time. Enjoying a cold smoothie or yoghurt is exactly what the dentist ordered.
• The procedure itself takes around 1 hour and will be almost pain-free, although you may feel some discomfort from the pressure.
• You should recover within 10 days if you follow the advice of your dentist.
• Take some extra time to follow additional advice to lower your chances of infection post-surgery.
• Stock up on cold treats and easy-to-eat foods to make your recovery more comfortable.

If you have any further questions that haven’t been answered, please consult Dr Philip McCauley, who will be happy to answer any of your queries.
For more information, contact us on 01202 97 33 00.

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