While it’s important to replace missing teeth, regardless of the treatment you decide on, there are many benefits to look forward to when you choose dental implants to do it. However, if you’ve felt hesitant about completing treatment because you’re afraid of the surgery being painful, you’ll want to keep reading. Once you learn the facts from an actual implant dentist who has performed hundreds of dental implant surgeries over the course of his career, you’ll realize there’s nothing to worry about!
Implant Surgery Itself Doesn’t Hurt
On the actual day of the surgery, patients are given a healthy amount of anesthetic ahead of treatment. This ensures the mouth, particularly the treatment area, is sufficiently numbed before incisions in the gum tissue are made and the implant is placed. It also means patients should feel zero sensations during the treatment, including pain. At most, it’s common for patients to report pressure during the procedure.
Additionally, those who may be nervous about treatment can also take advantage of sedation dentistry for a more comfortable experience, especially if they need to have several dental implants placed. However, most patients don’t need it to complete treatments like dental implants.
Dental Implant Surgery is Pretty Straightforward
Once the dentist has administered the anesthetic, small incisions are made in the gum tissue and a tiny hole is created inside the jawbone so the implant has room to integrate. After the implant is placed, the gum tissue is stitched closed and the implant is given several months to heal and fuse with the jaw. The result is a replacement root that is sturdy enough to hold a restoration.
Aftercare is Crucial After Surgery
It takes about four to six months for the implant to fully fuse with the bone, a process known as osseointegration. This process begins as soon as the surgical phase of treatment is completed. While there should be virtually no discomfort during actual implant placement, patients can expect some mild soreness afterwards, which is normal for all oral surgeries. This can be easily managed with over-the-counter painkillers or prescription meds provided by a dentist.
While some patients may experience discomfort for only a day or so after surgery, others note mild discomfort for as many as 10 days. Swelling is also common, particularly around the treatment area. If pain or swelling continues for more than two weeks, get in touch with a dentist as soon as possible for a follow-up examination.
Dentists have been performing dental implant surgery for decades, and advancements in the field have only made the process more comfortable and successful as a result. If you’re missing teeth, get in touch with an implant dentist in Hillsboro today to schedule your tooth replacement consultation!
About Wolfe Dental
Instead of referring patients to an offsite oral surgeon to perform dental implant placement, the dentists are Wolfe Dental are happy to keep the entire treatment in-house. Dr. Ben Wolfe has been placing dental implants for over 12 years and helped hundreds of patients make their smiles complete with lasting and reliable tooth replacements. To schedule an appointment, you can contact the dentists of Wolfe Dental through their website.