You don’t want to cover your mouth when you smile because you’re embarrassed about missing teeth, and gaps in your smile can affect your oral health as well. Fortunately, with dental implants, you can replace your missing teeth and keep your jawbone healthy at the same time.
But does the dental implant surgery hurt?
Let’s look at what you can honestly expect during dental implant surgery.
What to Expect from Dental Implant Surgery
For most people, dental implant surgery isn’t painful since your mouth will be completely numb before the procedure. Many patients report feeling pressure and vibration but not pain.
And although you may have some soreness and discomfort for a few days afterward, you can take over-the-counter medication to manage it.
Here’s what you can expect from the procedure:
- Numbing — Before your implant placement, we’ll use local anesthesia to block pain receptors and numb your mouth. You won’t feel anything during the procedure.
- Implant placement — We’ll make a small incision in your gums to access your jawbone and place a titanium post into your jaw. You may feel a pushing sensation and pressure during this step. Then, we’ll close the area with stitches.
- Day 1 aftercare — When you get home, you’ll need to apply an ice pack to your cheek to manage swelling. It’s also important to eat cool, soft foods, such as yogurt, eggs, and smoothies. Don’t drink from a straw or smoke.
- Day 2 aftercare — For best results, continue to use ice packs and take over-the-counter medication on the second day. You can also gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water several times a day. You can carefully brush your teeth, but make sure to avoid the implant site because you don’t want to disrupt the blood clot.
Dental Implants in Missoula, MT
If you want to learn more about dental implants, please feel free to reach out to our experienced dental team! At Nelson Dentistry, we can put your mind at ease and help you make the best tooth replacement decision for your smile.
To schedule a consultation or appointment, give us a call at (406) 542-3305.