Is dental implant surgery painful?  Dental implant surgery is a standard procedure with a high success rate. This means dental implants last for decades, making them one of the strongest and longest-lived dental restorations for replacing missing teeth. While the word surgery can stir feelings of anxiety, a dental implant procedure is relatively painless.

Let's dive into what to expect and take a realistic look at the pain associated with the procedure. Then go over the post-operative recovery process and how to care for the area after the procedure is completed.

What to expect if you are considering a dental implant procedure?

If you are interested in dental implants, it begins with an evaluation appointment to discuss if you are a good candidate. At this appointment, your overall health will be addressed, oral health will be evaluated, and the amount of jaw bone will be assessed to determine if you have the support needed for an implant. This is a simple appointment of talking, looking at X-rays, and evaluating the inside of your mouth.

You then will be scheduled to begin the procedure. The first is to place the implant, a small titanium screw, into the jaw bone. This gives the dental implant strength and function much like a natural tooth. This surgical part of the procedure seems the most intimidating, but as we will discuss shortly is relatively pain-free.

After the post is placed, time is given for the bone and gum to heal around the post. Once healed a small metal anchor called an abutment is placed above the gum, a pain-free, nonsurgical appointment. This abutment is where your new crown will be attached. At this time, impressions will be taken to have your new crown made.

When your custom new crown is made, you will return to have it placed on top of the abutment. Again this is a nonsurgical pain-free appointment and the best one because your beautiful new dental implant will be fully in place.

Is dental implant surgery painful?

You may be wondering, "relatively" pain-free sounds a bit ominous. For the most part, the procedure is pain-free, but we have to consider everyone has varying levels of dental anxieties and thresholds for pain.

The surgical part of a dental implant procedure is placing the screw into the jaw bone. To do this, you will be numbed before this procedure begins. If you experience pain, it is the slight and quick discomfort of the local anesthetic injection. But we do all we can to minimize and make every step of the way as pain-free as possible.

Before administering a local anesthetic, a numbing topical gel is rubbed onto the gum to lessen the feeling of a small injection. While you are numb, the screw is placed. You may feel a slight pressure but not pain.

If you have heightened dental anxieties, discuss them with your dentist before treatment to create a custom game plan to keep you at ease.

Dental implant post-operation expectations

After placing the screw, your gums may feel sore and swollen as the anesthetic begins to wear off. Your dentist may give you pain medication before the appointment so that as the anesthetic wears off, the medication has kicked in. Be gentle in this area during heal time.

The first day or two after the procedure, follow a liquid diet to avoid chewing in this area. Also, avoid using straws during this time because the sucking motion can disrupt the healing clot around the post.

Most report no more discomfort after ten days. You may be prescribed pain meds during this time. After two weeks, you should feel no discomfort. If you are still experiencing discomfort or swelling, contact your dentist to ensure the area is not infected.

Homecare after dental implant surgery

• avoid straws for the first few days
• gently rinse with warm salt water
• 1-2 days after surgery, follow a liquid diet
• avoid irritating spicy or crunchy foods the first few days after surgery

Are dental implants painful?

The word surgery can make anything sound intimidating. Dental implant surgery is a standard procedure. It is typical to feel pressure during the procedure but not pain. Slight discomfort may be experienced during the injection to numb the area before the procedure. We understand that everyone is different and work with you to create a plan to keep you as comfortable as possible.