A dental implant is a long-term replacement for missing teeth. They look, feel, and function like natural teeth. The procedure is painless when patients are under local anesthesia. They can also opt for sedation. However, a responsible adult should accompany them to the surgery and drive them home afterward.
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Pain to Expect
For most patients, dental implants in Pasadena are a relatively painless option. Local anesthesia is used during the procedure, and the area will numb when finished. However, a patient may experience discomfort after the anesthesia wears off. This is normal.
Bruising, swelling, and pain are not uncommon for the first day or two after the surgery, and they should begin to decline in severity over time. If you are experiencing more severe pain, contact the oral surgeon for a consultation.
Taking over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help to ease the pain. Applying ice packs to the area at 10-minute intervals can also reduce pain and swelling. Typically, any implant-related pain will subside by two weeks after the surgery. However, seeing your dentist is essential if the pain persists or worsens. This may indicate a problem with the implant. This could include nerve damage, infection, or peri-implant diseases.
Recovery
Art of Smiles and other professionals mentioned that the recovery from dental implant surgery isn’t as long as expected, but it still requires rest. Pain and swelling will most dissipate within a few days after the procedure. If the discomfort lingers beyond this time, it may be a sign that the site is infected and requires treatment.
In addition to icing the surgical area, patients should follow the advice provided by their dentist and take over-the-counter pain relievers as needed. They will likely need to eat soft foods for the first couple of days after surgery while avoiding anything crunchy or hard that could damage the surgical area.
During this time, practicing proper oral hygiene is essential by brushing the other teeth as usual and rinsing with chlorhexidine mouthwash or warm salt water (one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water) four to five times daily. Avoid spitting or using a straw, as these actions can disrupt the blood clot and cause bleeding around the implant.
Possible Effects
A dental implant is surgically inserted into your jawbone. You may experience discomfort at the implant site while the numbing agent wears off after the procedure. This is normal. You can take over-the-counter painkillers to alleviate the pain. Ice packs can also decrease swelling and tenderness. Getting plenty of rest and a soft foods diet for the first few days after surgery is essential.
After three days, you should notice less bruising and swelling around the implant site. If pain persists, it is a sign that something is wrong, and your oral surgeon should evaluate it.
If the implant is placed too close to a nerve, you may experience pain. This could result from the implant damaging the nerve running through the gums and teeth. In some cases, the nerve can become permanently damaged. This may lead to a tingling sensation in the tongue, gums, lips, and face.
Possible Complications
A dental implant is placed into the jaw bone via a screw. This process is relatively painless because the area carries no nerves. After numbing the area, the dentist will create an incision and drill a hole for the implant. The patient may feel pressure, but they won’t feel pain.
Swelling, inflammation, and bruising are normal side effects of implant surgery and should fade within days. It could be a sign that something is wrong if they don’t.
Infection is another possible complication of dental implants. The symptoms of infection include inflammation, pain, and fever. Other possible complications include a failure of the implant to heal or an allergic reaction to titanium alloy (used in most implants). Chronic conditions like diabetes, long-term steroid use, and some forms of bone disease can slow down the healing of the implant site.
