There are numerous advantages to dental implant surgery for restoring function and appearance to your smile after the loss of a tooth or teeth. Today, our Edmonton dentists answer frequently asked questions about any pain associated with dental implant surgery.
Does dental implant surgery hurt?
The short answer is, it shouldn't.
OK, what's the long answer?
The more detailed answer is that we begin the procedure by administering local anesthesia. There will be a needle involved, and you may feel pressure during the procedure – but your nerves will be numbed and unable to transmit much, if any, pain response. Sedation options are available to make needles or dental procedures less stressful in cases where they cause anxiety.
The Steps of Dental Implant Surgery
As previously stated, the first step is to numb the area where the implant will be surgically installed with a local anesthetic. Once we've determined that the area is painlessly numb, a space in your gums and the jaw bone is created for the titanium post that holds the implant in place. Our Edmonton dentists create and place the implant using computerized 3D modelling.
Lastly, the post is inserted and secured. A cap is placed on top to keep it safe while it heals for the next few months.
How long does recovery take? Will it hurt after the procedure?
Many of our patients tell us that they are surprised at how unobtrusive the procedure is. You should be able to resume your normal activities within a few days to a week of the procedure. You may still feel some post-surgical discomfort for a short time after the procedure. If this is the case, we usually recommend over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen to make recovery more comfortable.
Crowning your Dental Implant
A new dental implant takes about four months to fuse to the bone. After that, you will need to return to our Edmonton dental practice to have your dental implant(s) crowned. The crown is what gives the implant a natural appearance, similar to that of a natural tooth.