Dental implants are an alluring option for tooth replacement. They’re secure, durable, and powerful enough that you might just forget they’re made of porcelain. However, if you’ve done your research or are in the process of collecting the facts, you know that the implant process seems intense. It might seem so intense, in fact, that you’re starting to worry.
If you’re shying away from dental implants because of your pain threshold, keep reading. You’ll find that it won’t matter if you have a high or low pain tolerance – the treatment is not as uncomfortable as it sounds.
Dental Implant Pain: The Short Answer
The short answer to “how much will it hurt to get dental implants” is that it won’t. You actually have little to no nerve endings in your jawbone, so anchoring the posts is fairly pain-free. To ensure you’re as comfortable and relaxed as possible while in the patient chair, your dentist will also administer an anesthetic to numb the treatment area. You might notice some pressure, but that’s it! No trauma-inducing levels of pain here.
Dental Implant Pain: The Long Answer
While you won’t feel discomfort during your dental implant placement, you’re probably going to feel some after. However, this typically isn’t anything worse than the normal soreness you might experience after most dental treatments. Over-the-counter pain relievers should be able to manage your symptoms. What might be more of a drag is that your aches are likely to stick around for several days.
If that doesn’t sound appealing to you either, don’t worry! There are few things you can do to dull your discomfort post-placement.
- Swish around a gentle saltwater rinse. Saltwater rinses aren’t advisable in all dental situations, but a warm solution can help kick out germs and alleviate your sores.
- Stick to boring foods. You might be getting dental implants so that you can eat more foods, but crunchy, spicy, acidic foods can cause irritation even when you’re not healing. It’s best to avoid them during your dental implant recovery.
- Applying a cold compress will help reduce soreness and swelling.
- Keep up with your cleaning routines! You can be gentle about it, but sticking to good oral hygiene habits are a must, especially when your body is trying to heal.
- Don’t skip your dental appointments. They might seem tedious to you, but your dentist needs to monitor your implants for complications. Plus, dental implants sometimes require additional treatments. You’ll want those so you can fully enjoy your new implants!
Of course, in addition to these tips, you should be using common sense and following your dentist’s after-care instructions to the letter! They’re the professionals for a reason, and they’re not just giving you busywork. They’re trying to make sure you have a smooth and safe recovery. If you have questions or concerns about your treatment, give them a call – they’ll be happy to help!
About the Practice
Drs. Adam Danzig and Rachel Snook want to help their patients feel as comfortable as possible with their oral treatments. This encompasses helping them feel at ease in the office, but also confident in their treatment plan and reassured with their recovery instructions. To schedule a consultation, call 978-667-2741 or visit the Grateful Dentists website to learn more.