Dental implants are the best tooth replacement option out there! Unlike dental bridges and traditional dentures, implants replace the roots of the missing teeth, allowing for a variety of unique benefits, like additional comfort, stability, and longevity. However, to achieve these benefits, one must undergo a minor surgical procedure. Some patients worry about whether their treatment will be painful. Continue reading to learn what you can expect.
What Does Dental Implant Surgery Look Like?
Dental implants look like little titanium screws. During your procedure, your new implants will be placed directly into the jawbone to act as your new tooth roots. Here are the steps that occur:
- The surgical site is numbed with a local anesthetic, so you shouldn’t feel a thing. Sedation options are also available for additional comfort.
- An incision is made in the gums so the dental implant can be inserted into the jawbone. This is carefully planned ahead of time, so the procedure is predictable and more likely to be successful.
- After the dental implant is secured in the jawbone, the gums are closed. Then, a protective cap is placed over the ends of the implants to keep them safe over the next few months.
How Will Your Dental Implants Feel After Surgery?
After your dental implant placement surgery, you are likely to experience some swelling and soreness for a few days. This can be managed with over-the-counter pain and prescribed pain relievers. Peak discomfort usually happens between three to five days after your surgery, then it subsides. You won’t actually be able to feel the implants themselves in your jawbone because it doesn’t have many nerve endings.
What Do Dental Implants Feel Like After Healing?
Once your dental implant has completely fused to the jawbone, it will pretty much feel just like the rest of your teeth. The bone becomes a stable foundation for your new tooth. They should be so comfortable that you may even forget that it isn’t your real tooth!
Other tooth replacement options, like dentures and bridges, are great for some, but they don’t offer the same comfort, stability, or longevity as dental implants. One of the amazing benefits they provide is that patients regain up to 90% of their natural bite force. This is something that no other tooth replacement option can achieve.
You will have some soreness after your procedure, but this is nothing to worry about. By following your aftercare instructions to a tee, you will be healed up and showing off a complete smile in no time!
About the Author
At Legacy Trails Dental of Plano, we have a team of three skilled dentists working together to serve patients in the Plano area. With their combined experience and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need at one convenient location. The entire dental implant process is completed in-house, so you don’t need to worry about working with an outside specialist at a separate location. To learn more about dental implants or to schedule a consultation, visit our website or call (214) 227-1000.