Dental implants are an excellent solution for missing teeth, however one of the biggest concerns patients have before getting a dental implant procedure is one that likely isn’t surprising – does it hurt? While having a dental implant placed is a procedure done with great care by the best dentists, it’s not a procedure that is supposed to be particularly painful.
Before diving into the dental implant procedure process, it is important to address the slight discomfort that may be felt after the procedure. There is a chance that swelling and healing can lead to a little bit of minor pain once the anesthetic has worn off. This discomfort is typically no big deal and can be comfortably managed using over the counter pain medication.
While you’re having a dental implant placed, you will be “numbed up” using a local anesthetic by your Logan, Utah dentist. There is a small pinch associated with this anesthetic injection, but it only lasts for a couple of seconds and feels like a small and insignificant pinch to your gums. Once the anesthetic has been injected, the area of your mouth where the procedure will take place will quickly begin to numb.
While you’re under a local anesthetic, your dentist will get to work. They may do a bone graft on the area to start so your jawbone can better hold the post, but this is not always necessary. They will place the post in the area of your missing tooth root, allowing the post to fuse to your jawbone over time. This can take a period of a couple of months to complete. Once the post has been completely fused, it will be affixed with a crown that looks and behaves just like a natural tooth. The placing of the crown usually comes with no discomfort at all, and you’re left with a smile that makes you confident once again.
Dental implants are nothing to be afraid of, and while some may experience minor discomfort after the procedure, this isn’t typically the norm. Usually, the only discomfort felt is the pinch of the needle, and when you’re finished with the procedure, you have a brand new tooth that you can be proud of. As a solution for missing teeth, dental implants are a permanent way to fix this issue and return your confidence and your peace of mind.
