Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?

At Cannon Oral Surgery, dental implants are one of the most popular treatments we offer. Implants can not only restore your smile; they can also go a long way toward restoring your confidence. 

Many members of the Chattanooga, Tennessee, community have questions about the process of getting dental implants. And what to expect in terms of pain is often one of the first questions asked during a dental implant consultation. 

So let’s delve into how dental implants work and whether this treatment path is painful. You might be surprised at how easy it is to move through the treatment process and emerge with a healthy, happy smile. 

Dental implants offer a permanent tooth replacement solution 

One of the biggest benefits of dental implants is the fact that they are a permanent tooth replacement option. Once your implant is in place, it remains in place for the rest of your life. 

This means you won’t have to worry about your implant wearing out or being damaged by eating normal foods. Even the highest quality dentures will eventually need to be replaced, but an implant is forever. 

Another benefit implants have that dentures do not is ease of care. You don’t need to do anything special to keep your new dental implant in good shape. Simply continue to brush and floss normally, and see your dentist every six months for a professional exam and teeth cleaning. 

Dentures, on the other hand, must be removed to be thoroughly cleaned. Many people also have to use special products to hold their dentures securely in place. With an implant, none of those steps are necessary. 

But does it hurt to get a dental implant?

Getting a dental implant is a form of oral surgery, and many people automatically assume that surgery means pain. In reality, getting a dental implant is not a painful experience. There are some points of discomfort, so let’s look at those in greater detail. 

To begin, dental implant procedures are always done using a local anesthetic. This is an injection of medication that numbs the tissues near the implant site. You’ll feel a pinch or prick as the needle enters your gums to place the local anesthetic, but that sensation lasts a couple of seconds. 

There are also sedation options available. These medications help you achieve a state of deep relaxation during your procedure and are especially useful for those who experience dental anxiety. 

Placing a dental implant involves making incisions into your gum tissue, creating a pilot hole within your jaw bone tissue, and positioning the metal post of the implant directly within that bone. If these steps were performed without numbing, they would absolutely be painful. But because we use a local anesthetic before altering your tissue, there is no pain during the process. 

Once your implant is placed, the numbing medication will wear off. Some soreness, bruising, and minimal bleeding are normal in the days after your implant visit. But you can manage any discomfort using over-the-counter pain medication. If Dr. Cannon feels that prescription pain medication is needed, he provides that prescription the same day. 

Don’t let fear of pain keep you from restoring your smile

If you have questions or concerns about getting a dental implant, we encourage you to set up a time to come in and sit down with our team to learn more about the process. Very often, people who choose to get a dental implant find the process much more comfortable than the situation that led to the missing tooth (advanced decay or traumatic injury). 

Booking a visit at Cannon Oral Surgery won’t take much of your time. You can always give us a call to check appointment availability, or you can use the easy online booking tool to find a time that works for your schedule. We look forward to meeting with you to explore options and work toward solutions.