Dental implants are the best tooth replacement option out there. Since they replace the roots of the missing teeth, they allow for a wide range of benefits, including additional stability, comfort, and longevity. However, many patients are hesitant to commit to treatment because of fear of pain. This begs the questions: does it hurt to get dental implants in Warsaw? Continue reading to learn exactly what you can expect.
What to Expect for Dental Implant Surgery
Dental implants are usually made from titanium, and they look like tiny screws. During your surgery, your dental implants are placed directly into the jawbone to act as your new tooth roots. Here are the steps that occur:
- The site is numbed with a local anesthetic. Dental sedation options are also available for additional comfort.
- An incision is made in the gums so the dental implants can be inserted into the jawbone. This is carefully planned ahead of time, so the surgery is predictable and more likely to be successful.
- After the dental implant is inserted and secured, the gums are closed. Then, a protective cap is placed over the end of the dental implants to keep them safe over the next few months as the area heals.
How Do Dental Implants Feel Following Surgery?
Since the area is numbed with a local anesthetic during your procedure, you won’t be able to feel anything. However, after your surgery, you are likely to experience some swelling and soreness for a few days. This can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. Peak discomfort usually happens somewhere between three to five days following your placement procedure. As for your dental implants, you won’t be able to feel them. This is because the jawbone doesn’t have many nerve endings. Any soreness you feel comes from the tissue surrounding the implants.
What Do Dental Implants Feel Like After Healing?
After your dental implants have completely healed, they will feel pretty much just like your natural teeth. The bone will become a stable foundation, and you might even forget that they aren’t your natural teeth.
Other tooth replacement options, like dentures and dental bridges, don’t offer the same comfort, stability, or longevity as dental implants. Once of the greatest benefits of dental implants is that they help patients regain more than 90% of their original, natural bite force – something other tooth replacements can’t achieve.
Some soreness is to be expected during the healing process, but you shouldn’t feel anything during your surgery. When you closely follow the instructions of your dentist, you will be showing off a complete smile in just a matter of time!
About the Author
Dr. Mike Rudolph is an experienced dentist who has been working in the field for more than three decades. He earned his dental doctorate from the Maryland School of Dentistry before serving in the US Navy for 7 years. Currently, he is a proud member of the Kosciusko County Dental Society, Indiana Dental Association, and the American Dental Association. For more information on dental implants or to schedule an appointment at his office in Warsaw, visit his website or call (574) 269-1787.