Is the Dental Implant Procedure Painful?

When it comes to the actual dental implant procedure, there’s no discomfort felt because the oral surgeon makes sure to numb the tooth and surrounding gum tissue before performing any other step of treatment. This is especially the case if a tooth needs to be extracted before an implant can be attached.

To numb the mouth, a local anesthetic is administered and given a few minutes to take effect. When the tooth is removed (if applicable), the gum tissue is opened, and the implant is placed into the jaw, the most noticeable sensation you’ll experience is some light pressure, but not pain.

If preferred, many oral surgeons also offer sedation dentistry to make the process even more comfortable, such as IV sedation. This sedative is so powerful, you’ll find it very difficult to even remember most of your treatment experience

What About After Treatment is Complete?

Eventually, the local anesthetic used for the procedure will wear off. That means by the time you get home, you will likely start to notice some mild soreness in your mouth where the implant was placed. This is a normal part of the process and occurs following any type of oral surgery, not just dental implants.

Thankfully, managing this discomfort with painkillers and cold compresses is a relatively simple process. Most patients mention the recovery phase of treatment was less difficult than they expected. If you aren’t having a tooth extracted in preparation for your implant, you can expect the healing phase to be even easier!

How Do I Prepare for Dental Implant Aftercare

With all that said, there are steps you will want to take to ensure the smoothest and most comfortable healing process possible. For example, after you get home, you should:

• Stick to a soft food diet for a few days (i.e. applesauce, cold soups, mashed potatoes, smoothies, ice cream, gelatin, etc.)
• Keep your head elevated when lying down to promote healing and healthy blood flow
• Use cold compresses to reduce swelling
• Take painkillers and other medications as prescribed
• Avoid using a straw for the next couple of days
• Get plenty of rest and avoid strenuous activity for the next several days

Still feeling hesitant about dental implant treatment? Feel free to contact dental clinic near you and discuss with an expert oral dental surgeon to replace all your missing and extracted teeth n restore your beautiful smile .