How to Manage Pain After Implants

Seen in Midtown Houston, Saturday hours: Book an appointment  ·  (713) 322-7474  ·  Dental Implants in Houston

What to Expect from a Dental Implant Procedure

Is getting an implant painful? If so, how painful is getting dental implants? You can expect some mild dental implants pain afterward. However, this tends to only last for a short time. You can also manage pain after tooth implant surgery in different ways.

When you get dental implants, this process typically involves having implants or posts put inside your jawbone. Once these posts are in place, they should fuse and become part of the bone surrounding them. Since this is a surgical procedure, there will be some pain once the anesthesia wears off. This is common with any kind of surgery, and most patients describe the soreness after implant placement as mild and manageable.

How Long Does Pain Last After Dental Implant Surgery?

It’s understandable if you’re nervous about dental implant surgery pain. Keep in mind that pain after dental implant surgery is not severe for many people. It also tends to only last for a matter of days rather than weeks or months. Although post tooth implant pain is expected to occur, you shouldn’t let it stop you from getting dental implants. Remind yourself that recovery pain is temporary, while a well-kept implant can serve you for decades.

Tooth Implants Pain Recovery Timeline

What can you expect in terms of dental implant surgery pain? The following timeline shows how long pain should last and what you might experience over time. Discomfort should only be temporary; long-term discomfort generally indicates a problem that a dental implant specialist in Houston should diagnose and treat.

• Same day: soreness shows up as the anesthesia wears off. That is expected. • The next day: mild pain around the implant, often with swelling that peaks around the second day. • One week: for most patients the pain is clearly fading by now; for some it lingers a few days more, up to about ten days in all. • Two weeks: pain that is still present is worth a call. An infection in the gum or bone may need antibiotics, especially if there is fever. • Three to four weeks: pain this late is not part of normal healing. We need to find the cause rather than wait it out. • One to three months: persistent pain can point to infection, nerve irritation, blood-supply problems, or in rare cases an allergic reaction. All of them are diagnosable. • A year or longer: an implant that has been comfortable and then turns painful needs a look. Common culprits are gum infection around the implant and teeth grinding.

What Causes Post Dental Implants Surgery Pain?

Pain after dental implant surgery can occur for many reasons. You might experience dental implant sensitivity or pain when biting down on implant, for example. In other cases, you might have front tooth implant pain or pain after crown placement on implant. These kinds of pain can occur due to any of the following:

• Loose cap: A loose cap on the implant might cause pain after a dental implant. • Infections: Infections can lead to dental implants pain after 3 months or more. Pain after tooth implant from infections can also occur sooner. • Loose implants: Pain after dental implant surgery can happen if the implant is loose. • Nerve damage: This is a rare complication that can cause dental implant surgery pain. • Medical conditions: Autoimmune diseases and certain medications can sometimes cause pain after tooth implant a few months later. • Failed integration: an implant that never fully fuses with the bone can create a feeling of pressure or discomfort.

Tips to Manage Dental Implants Pain

Although pain after tooth extraction and dental implant should be mild, it’s still important to know how to manage it. Keep the following dental implants pain management tips in mind to ease your discomfort.

• Use over-the-counter pain medication after dental implant for short-term relief from soreness and discomfort. • Apply an ice pack to the sore area as needed to reduce swelling and ease the pain. • Eat soft, cold foods, such as yogurt, rather than hard foods or hot foods that could increase your discomfort. • Get plenty of rest in order to heal, and avoid moving your jaw much while the soreness lasts. • Brush and floss a few times per day. Talk to your dentist about whether or not to avoid the affected area at first while brushing and flossing. • Rinse with warm salt water to relieve pain and wash away bacteria to lower your risk of infection. • Follow all of the instructions your dentist gives you for caring for the affected area.

Is the Pain a Sign of Dental Implants Failure?

Pain after tooth implant that lasts for a long time could indicate an implant failure. A failed dental implant occurs when the implant does not properly fuse to the bone around it. Dental implants should fuse to the bone in order to stay in place. If this does not happen, the implant often becomes loose. A loose implant can scrape or bump against nerves in the area, causing pain and discomfort.

If you have tooth implant pain that doesn’t go away or gets worse, you should see a dental implant specialist. A specialist can check for dental implant failure and discuss your options. You might have the option to have a new implant procedure done if you have a failed implant.

Importance of Seeing a Dental Implants Specialist

When you’re thinking of getting dental implants, it’s important to see a Houston TX Midtown dentist who specializes in these procedures. A dental implants specialist can do a thorough evaluation to make sure that you are a good candidate for dental implants. Having dental implant specialists do your dental implant surgery also helps lower your risk of having severe pain or other complications.

At Omega Dental Specialists, implants are planned and placed under one roof, from a single tooth to All-on-4 full-arch work. If gum problems need treatment before or after your implant, our board-certified periodontist works in the same Midtown Houston office, so nothing gets referred out.