From infancy, the human body is wired to avoid pain. Whether a child or adult, a human naturally will dread the fear of anticipated pain, which can, and in the case of many patients already has, lead to severe problems or stay away from treatment that could help. When it comes to dental implants, can you expect to experience pain? Does it hurt to get these more permanent tooth replacements? It doesn’t have to be extremely painful! Keep reading to learn how this solution doesn’t have to cause pain!
Local Anesthetic
Just as your dentist wouldn’t remove and fill a cavity without numbing your nearby teeth and surrounding area, you won’t receive dental implants without some sort of pain protection. A higher concentration of the local anesthetic will keep the area numb for a longer period of time and help you achieve even less feeling in your mouth. As a result, you shouldn’t experience pain while getting work done.
Dental Sedation
As minor surgery, dental implant placement may require a little more intensive and longer treatment, which is why many of those who perform this procedure often offer sedative options for more comfort. Even gentle, safe nitrous oxide can quiet mild nerves, calm fears, and keep the patient still and content throughout the appointment. Before you undergo the procedure, you can ask about your choices to have a more pleasant procedure.
Specialty Treatment from an Expert
Although no human is perfect, your chances of smooth healing drastically increase when you work with a knowledgeable and experienced provider. When it comes to dental implants, you could have a general dentist place the implant posts, but if they accidentally hit a nerve or blood vessel, you can face complications or pain after the procedure.
A certified expert like an oral surgeon, periodontist, or prosthodontist have dedicated extra years of advanced training and passed extensive board certification to prove their clinical skills and understanding of this complicated placement. These qualifications can give you more peace of mind and a higher expectation of a more comfortable experience in the chair from beginning to end.
After-Care Pain Control
When you get home from the placement procedure, you should start to feel the anesthetic wear off. At this point, don’t be surprised if your mouth feels sore or even if you have some discomfort in the site. Unless your specialist or dentist has prescribed you pain medication, you may have over-the-counter pain reliever as directed and place a cold pack on the outside of your face. This additional numbing technique, which should be left on for about 20 minutes at a time, also reduces swelling.
One of the most important protections you can give yourself against post-implant pain is to allow a blood clot form and stay on the surgical site. It blocks bacteria from affecting the tender tissues underneath. If the clot comes off too soon, you could get dry socket, a very painful complication.
Although you can drink water or other fluids and extremely soft foods after the anesthetic wears off, do not use a straw. Sucking through one within the first 48 hours can dislodge the clot. For several days, you should only have fluids and eat soft foods like eggs, yogurt, canned veggies, oatmeal, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, and the like. Over time (i.e., about a week), you can reintroduce normal foods into your diet as tolerated. Just be careful with hard, crunchy, or sugary foods.
In the end, your dentist and specialist can put your fear of pain to rest. The process doesn’t have to hurt, and you can’t let the idea of pain keep you from what you truly want: a completely restored, healthy smile again!
About the Practice
Dr. Faizan Ali and Dr. Naira Kraipak at Plush Dentistry in Frisco want every patient to feel as if they are receiving the VIP treatment. As a result, our team cares about the quality and enjoyment of your experience from start to finish. Although we work with specialists on the placement procedure, we will make sure your time in the chair is pleasant and pain free. To learn more about dental implants, make an appointment with us online or call our office at 469-256-7098.