Does It Hurt to Get Dental Implants?

If you’re missing teeth, it’s important to consider getting dental implants to protect your oral and overall health. If you’re concerned about the pain that goes along with getting an implant, understanding facts about the procedure and recovery can help you feel more at ease.

We regularly perform dental implant procedures at Hometown Family Dental Centers. Our caring and compassionate team of specialists — with locations in Fayetteville, Raeford, and Vass, North Carolina — has changed countless lives through dental implants and with minimal pain. Plus, to make dental procedures more comfortable, you can choose from a range of sedation options.

What to expect during a dental implant procedure

If you're considering getting dental implants, fear of pain might be holding you back. Knowing more about the implant process and recovery could ease your fears. Getting implants is a two-step process: A titanium post is implanted into your jawbone and must heal before your prosthetic tooth can be attached.

To begin the implant procedure, we use a local anesthetic that numbs the entire treatment area, so you won’t feel a thing. Your doctor also might give you pain medication before starting the implant procedure so that when the anesthetic wears off, you still have adequate pain relief.

The next step is creating an incision in your gums to access the implant area. Then your dentist uses a drill to make a hole in your jawbone. You hear the drill and feel some pressure, but you don’t feel any pain. Our specialists ensure you remain relaxed and calm throughout the procedure. 

Next, the dentist places the titanium implant in your jaw and closes the incision. The entire process takes about an hour. Once the dentist is finished, the healing begins.

What to expect while recovering

After the numbing effect of the anesthetic wears off, you might feel pain or an ache for a few hours. Your doctor may give you a prescription for painkillers, and if you fill the prescription, take the medication according to instructions. 

Alternatively, you can use over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. You can also relieve inflammation and pain with salt water rinses and by keeping your mouth clean. Using a cold compress on your cheek for 10 minutes at a time is a great way to soothe your sore mouth, as well.

One to three days after treatment

Your treatment area might be swollen, bruised, and uncomfortable for one to three days following surgery. You may experience intermittent bleeding during this recovery time. You should be able to return to work or school within a few days.

Three to seven days after treatment

Within a week after your dental implant procedure, you should notice reduced swelling, discomfort, and bruising. You can slowly incorporate solid foods back into your diet. You can also start using a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently brush the implant area.  

One to two weeks after treatment

In most cases, your mouth recovers in one to two weeks following the dental implant procedure. The implant site may feel slightly sore under pressure after two weeks, but you should only experience slight bruising, swelling, and discomfort. 

You follow up with your Hometown Family Dental expert as you’re healing over the next few months while your implant fuses to your jawbone.

Nothing to fear

You won’t experience pain during the implant procedure itself. It’s not normal to experience pain and discomfort around the implant site more than two weeks after your surgery. If you continue to experience pain after two weeks, call our office to speak with a specialist. 

Would you like to know more about dental implants? Make an appointment with our professionals at a location convenient for you. Call us or use our online request tool to find out if you’re a good candidate to schedule your implant procedure.