Do Dental Implants Hurt? Do They Cause Pain?
If your tooth has been knocked out, needs to be extracted or has fallen out, it needs to be replaced as soon as possible. Having a missing tooth or teeth can lead to serious oral health issues. You may notice your teeth beginning to migrate, which can lead to impacting of healthy teeth. Migration can also make proper oral care more difficult—which can lead to infections, decay and disease. If you have a missing tooth or teeth, you’ll want to discuss different replacement options with your dentist. One replacement option that your dentist may consider are dental implants. So, what are dental implants? And do dental implants hurt?
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are dental prosthetics that involve the placement of a titanium rod into the jawbone. This holds a false tooth or teeth in place. Dental implants are strong and durable, allowing the patient to bite and chew much like they did before the tooth was missing. Implants also help to stop teeth migration, and protect the integrity of the jaw bone tissue.
Will My Dental Implants Hurt?
Many patients are worried about whether or not dental implants hurt. It is important to consider that the dental implant procedure involves drilling into the jawbone to place a titanium prosthetic. While the actual implant procedure likely will not hurt (as anesthesia is used), it is likely that you will experience discomfort after the placement procedure. This discomfort can be easily treated, though, and the pain will go away in a short period of time.
How Long Dental Implants Hurt After Placement
Typically, dental implants hurt for around a week or so after the procedure. Sometimes the pain will last as long as 10 days after the placement process. During this time period, swelling and discomfort is normal. If your dental implants hurt after this time period, there may be a problem. If this is the case, your dentist should be contacted.
Reasons Why Your Dental Implants Hurt After the Healing Period
If you notice your dental implants hurt after 10 days, you may be experiencing a problem with the implant process. One possible issue may be an infection, which needs to be treated as soon as possible. There also may be some sort of damage to the implant.
If the dental implants hurt further down the line, there may be a few different issues that are occurring. Some of these issues include:
- An allergic reaction to the implant.
- Tissue or nerve damage.
- Infection.
- Health issues due to poor oral healthcare.
- Damage to the prosthetic.
In order to get to the root of the problem, you’ll need to consider certain behaviors and reasons why there may be pain and discomfort. This pain and discomfort may be due to:
- Bruxism
- Jaw Bone Deterioration
- Infection
- Gum Deterioration
- Smoking
- Issues with Oral Hygiene
Many of these issues can be avoided, and there may be a simple fix to stop any further damage. For instance, if the issue is smoking, you may need to consider quitting. If the issue is bruxism (teeth clenching), you’ll want to speak with your dentist about a night guard.
What Should I Do When My Dental Implants Hurt?
Whatever the issue may be, make sure to set an appointment with your dentist if your dental implants hurt. The sooner your dentist can take a look at the issue, the easier the repair may be. In the meantime, there are a few at-home treatments for the pain and for infection prevention that you can practice.
The easiest ways to deal with pain are with ice and over-the-counter medication. Painkillers can help to reduce the discomfort, and ice can help not only with the pain but also with swelling. You’ll also want to consider rinsing your mouth with saltwater not only to reduce the pain, but also to help prevent any infection.
Once you visit your dentist because your dental implants hurt, they will take a look and diagnose the issue. From there they will do their best to restore the implant, and eliminate any pain. In order to avoid pain in the first place, make sure to take proper care of your overall oral hygiene. Continue to brush, floss and rinse every day, twice a day. Also visit your dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning. If you are experiencing any discomfort or if you notice your dental implants hurt, set an appointment with your dentist for as soon as possible.