The Cleveland Clinic reports that 36% of Americans fear dental treatment. That fear often leaves people asking whether or not dental implants are painful. Maybe you too are concerned that the discomfort would outweigh the benefits of dental implants. In that case, the following information should prove reassuring.
To answer that question, we'll need to discuss how dental implants are placed. First, the dentist will make an incision in your gums to expose the bone. This is performed under local anesthesia, so you should not feel any discomfort during the procedure.
From there, a metal screw is placed inside your jawbone. This screw is what will eventually hold your permanent implant in place. You may notice minor swelling and tenderness at the site for a few days afterward.
Following surgery, you'll recover for several weeks or even months before receiving your permanent implant. During that time, you'll wear a dental flipper or partial denture to prevent your other teeth from shifting.
Certain factors can determine the amount of discomfort you experience both during and after a procedure. These include whether or not you are:
Rarely, a condition known as peri-implantitis can occur. With peri-implantitis, an infection forms around the implant site, leaving it at risk of falling out. Thanks to advances in dental technology, implant failure is extremely rare these days. In the rare event you do develop an infection, our pain-free laser treatment has proven very effective.
If you're torn between dental implants and dentures, don't let a fear of pain be the deciding factor. Instead, schedule a free consultation with us to discuss how easy the dental implant procedure can be. While you're here, we'll talk about the cost of dental implants so you can make an informed decision. Please contact us today to schedule your appointment.