What could you accomplish if fear didn’t stand in your way? Would you try skydiving? Going back to school? Getting a tattoo? Whether it’s apprehension over heights, failure, or pain, these hesitations to improve your life can hold you back from making some of the most rewarding choices you’ll ever make. The same can be said about dental implants. You see, sometimes people allow their anxiety surrounding whether this procedure is painful prevent them from permanently restoring their healthy, beautiful smile. Here’s why if you’ve been hesitant to get dental implants out of worries of discomfort, there’s nothing to fear but fear itself!
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are the world’s only permanent tooth replacement option. They use titanium or zirconia posts that are surgically inserted into the jawbone to support a prosthetic tooth, bridge, or denture. Because they’re firmly anchored in your mouth, these lifelike restorations eliminate the need for frustrating temporary fixes that require you to remove them for cleaning and soaking, don’t prevent bone loss, and will likely need to be replaced every five to seven years.
What Happens During Dental Implant Surgery?
During your dental implant surgery, your dentist will take great care to ensure your entire procedure is pain free. In fact, every treatment, no matter how many teeth you’re replacing, starts the same way: the delivery of local anesthesia. First, your dentist will numb your mouth. Then, once you’re completely comfortable, an incision will be made in your gums so the implant can be inserted into the jawbone. Once attached, a cap is placed on top to protect the post and your soft tissue. You may also receive a stitch or suture to help keep the site closed, however this is typically done with a dissolving material that will go away on its own, painlessly.
How Long Will It Take to Recover from Dental Implant Surgery?
Once your dental implant surgery is completed, you will need to allow the post(s) time to permanently fuse with the jawbone via a process called osseointegration. During this period (usually between four and six months) you will likely want to eat a softer, non-abrasive diet, and avoid chewing or crunching on the implant sites.
Once your bone has healed around the implants, your dentist will schedule you to return to have your abutments (the parts that connect the dental implants to the teeth) placed. This will require another short procedure where incisions must be made in the gums. Once again, your dentist will make sure you are completely comfortable before beginning the treatment, and the great news is that recovery should be much easier than your first surgery.
Finally, you’ll return one last time to have the teeth of your dental implants attached to the abutments. This procedure should not require any anesthesia but may cause a little bit of soreness. However, most patients find that this goes away quickly with over-the-counter pain reliever. The great news is that you should be able to begin using your new teeth immediately after placement and shouldn’t experience any further discomfort moving forward.
Does it Hurt to Use Dental Implants?
Although there will naturally be moments of discomfort during your dental implant healing process, any soreness or sensitivity should go away for good once you have healed. There should be no pain when resting or using your prosthetics, however if there is, please reach out to your dentist as soon as possible, as this could be a sign of dental implant failure.
Remember, fear can hold you back from making some of the most important decisions of your life. Don’t let hesitation about discomfort prevent you from restoring your beautiful, healthy smile with dental implants! It could be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make!
About Our Practice
At Cove Choice Dental, we have not one but a whole team of dentists ready to restore your beautiful, pain-free smile. If you’re missing permanent teeth and are tired of dealing with temporary fixes like dentures and dental bridges, dental implants could be for you. Don’t let fear of pain prevent you from putting your health first. To learn more about this safe, natural-looking, comfortable treatment, schedule a consultation by visiting our website or calling 254-987-6777.