Do Dental Implants Hurt? What Should You Expect?

There are many benefits to getting dental implants. For starters, they can give a person confidence. In addition to replacing missing teeth, implants can also aid in chewing food and improving speech. This article will explain the tooth implant procedure and answer the common question, "Do dental implants hurt?"

What to Expect

The tooth implant procedure is performed in two phases. During phase one of the dental implant process timeline, your dentist will use anesthesia to numb the site. He or she will drill a hole in your gums and screw a metal part into it. A second metal part is attached to the implant and the gums are stitched closed. You will feel a tiny metal part sticking through your gums afterward, but this shouldn't hurt or hinder you.

For the next couple of months, your gums will heal and the metal part will become attached to your bone. During this dental implant recovery, you may experience minor dental implant pain. Your gums may be tender, but you should have only minor tooth implant pain.

During phase two of the dental implant process timeline, you will have at least two more visits to your dentist. First, the dentist will take impressions of your teeth and order a synthetic crown. Then, you will generally have to wait 1-2 weeks for the crown to be made in a lab. During your next visit to the dentist, the crown is attached to the metal part that sticks through your gums. By this point, your dental implant recovery time is nearly complete.

Do Dental Implants Hurt?

People who know someone with a dental implant will typically ask the same question: "Do dental implants hurt? The answer is that getting an implant hurts no more than getting a bridge or any other synthetic tooth. You're numb during the procedures, so you feel no pain.

Another popular question is, "Do dental implants hurt after?" It's normal to feel soreness for about a week after the drilling procedure, but you can help alleviate that dental implant pain with an over-the-counter pain reliever.

To answer the question, "Why do my dental implants hurt?" consult with your dentist. You should especially ask that question if your pain does not lessen over time.

Another question is, "How long do dental implants hurt?" You will probably have tooth implant pain for about a week after phase one. Your gums will be sore for about 1-2 days after phase two.

Bridge vs. Implant

While a bridge is a structure placed in the space of a missing tooth, the bridge is not the same as an implant. A bridge is inserted on the outer surface of the gums, not beneath the gums like an implant. Some dentists recommend the implant because your natural teeth don't need to be shaved down for an implant. However, the dentist must shave some enamel from the surface of two teeth to attach a bridge.

Overall, getting an implant involves a few simple and mostly painless procedures. The implant is worth it because it looks and feels like a natural tooth. If you're missing a tooth and self-conscious about it, consult with a dentist about getting an implant.

Contact Our Dentists

If you have questions about any of the instructions provided in this post, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. Call or email Serene Dental Center today.