Does It Hurt to Receive Dental Implants?

If you have missing teeth, don’t worry—you aren’t alone, and your situation isn’t hopeless! Millions of Americans struggle with tooth loss, but fortunately, there are many existing solutions that can treat this issue and restore your smile to a healthy and functional state. Dental implants are one of these amazing options, and if you’re interested in receiving them, the first question on your mind is probably: “Is getting them going to hurt?” Keep reading to learn more about dental implants along with some tips to ensure a smooth and painless recovery.

What Are the Benefits of Getting Dental Implants?

It’s important to understand exactly what dental implants can do for your smile; replacing missing teeth is just one of many benefits, of which some others include:

• They prevent jawbone deterioration.
• More natural looking and durable than your real teeth.
• No imposed dietary restrictions.
• Restored bite force and chewing power.
• Long lifespan (20+ years with proper oral care).
• Increased facial support and fewer visible wrinkles.
• Custom-made for each patient.

Will Getting Dental Implants Hurt?

Some patients feel nervous about even the most basic of dental procedures, so it’s perfectly natural to be concerned about pain when considering dental implants. But whether you’re getting one implant or multiple, your dentist will always prioritize your comfort and numb your mouth. You’ll feel some pressure during the procedure, but you won’t experience any pain. After the procedure, you will be provided with aftercare instructions to ensure that you continue to remain comfortable and without pain as your implant sites heal. So, in short, getting dental implants doesn’t hurt—assuming you’re diligent about aftercare!

How Can I Ensure a Smooth and Pain-Free Recovery?

Even though your dentist or oral surgeon will take measures to make you comfortable, it will fall on you to make sure your implant sites heal properly and painlessly. That said, consider the following to ensure a stress- and pain-free recovery:

• Strictly follow any instructions provided by your dentist, including taking pain medications like Advil or Tylenol as needed or taking prophylactic antibiotics if prescribed.
• Regularly rinse your mouth gently with warm salt water to kill germs and promote healing.
• Avoid hot, spicy, hard, and crunchy foods for the first 10 days after the procedure.
• Use a cold compress/ice pack to help reduce facial swelling.
• Maintain good oral hygiene! Brush gently near your implant sites.
• Visit your dentist as instructed; they’re the expert and can easily help you with any problems or concerns pertaining to your recovery.

Dental implants have completely revolutionized dentistry for the better; and the fact that your dentist will take every measure they can to ensure your comfort makes them even more appealing! If you have missing teeth, ask your dentist about dental implants, and get ready to experience a serious smile upgrade.

About the Author

Dr. Idan Snapir has over 20 years of experience in dentistry and is proud to serve patients and families in the Van Nuys area! Dr. Snapir completed his dental doctorate at UCLA and has taken countless hours of advanced continuing education in a variety of fields including dental implant placement, full mouth rehabilitation, orthodontics and more. If you have any questions about dental implants or would like to schedule a visit, feel free to contact Dr. Snapir online or by phone at (818) 392-5816.