Will My Dental Implant Procedure Be Painful?

One of the most frequently asked questions from patients considering dental implants is whether or not they are painful. More specifically, patients ask if getting dental implants involves more pain than having their tooth extracted. While the answer can vary depending on how each patient perceives pain, for the large majority of implant dentistry patients, the procedure involves less discomfort than an extraction procedure.

Dental implants provide amazing benefits for patients who need to replace missing teeth. However, it is a surgical procedure. Every oral surgery comes with risk factors and the expectation for some amount of pain. However, with the use of anesthesia and Dr. Suway’s comfort techniques, our patients experience minimal discomfort during implant placement. It also depends on what your implant procedure involves. Patients who need bone grafts or other supplemental procedures may experience more discomfort than others. There are many options and levels of sedation dentistry; make sure you discuss your specific needs and pain tolerance with your dentist prior to your surgery.

Post-Procedure Discomfort

Pain and discomfort after your dental implants are placed can be compared to the amount you would feel after a common dental procedure. There will be incisions in the gums that may bleed immediately after surgery. As the anesthesia wears off, patients generally feel some minor pain and discomfort. Some patients have minimal bruising and swelling in the gum or face, particularly if they had a bone grafting procedure. In most cases, over-the-counter pain medicine can relieve your post-procedure discomfort.

If you are like the majority of dental implants patients, you will be pleasantly surprised at the small level of discomfort this procedure involves. Dental implants are one of the most advanced options in dentistry available; yet their placement usually involves no more pain than a root canal, extraction or filling. If you do experience severe pain after your dental implant procedure, always call the office immediately. Wayne G. Suway, DDS, MAGD is a highly experienced implants dentist with a priority to give patients life-changing results in the most comfortable way possible.