You’ve made the choice to permanently replace your missing teeth with dental implants, which was an excellent investment in your quality of life and your oral health. Unfortunately, you’ve recently developed dental implant pain. Although it’s tempting to wait to see if it goes away, this is never a good idea. Some discomfort is normal after your posts have been placed into your jawbone, but it should not linger. If it doesn’t go away or it suddenly occurs after you’ve already healed, it’s best to contact your dentist right away to get to the root cause of the problem.
How Much Pain is Normal?
A dental implant replaces the entire structure of a tooth. A titanium implant post is surgically placed into your jawbone to replicate the root. An abutment is placed on the post to connect your custom-made restoration.
Placing the post requires oral surgery, so you can expect there to be some discomfort; however, many patients say it’s no worse than a tooth extraction. Immediately after your placement surgery, it’s normal to have facial and oral swelling, as well as bruising. You may experience slight bleeding. You can expect there to be some pain, but it can be managed with over-the-counter medications. You can also use a cold compress to help reduce swelling and bruising.
When is Pain Not Normal?
Usually, the first 3 days after your placement surgery are the most painful. From there, your discomfort gradually improves each day. If your pain is persistent, there could be an underlying problem, like an injured nerve. This often causes discomfort when touching the area around the implant because it’s hitting the nerve underneath the teeth.
Another common cause of discomfort is peri-implantitis, which is an infection that can occur while you’re healing or long after your posts have been inserted into your bone. It results from bacteria found in plaque buildup, which is why it’s important to practice proper oral hygiene at home. Although the infection may not seem like a large concern at first, it can lead to the complete failure of your dental implants if you aren’t careful.
Instead, it’s best to call your implant dentist right away if you experience painful, red, or tender gums. You may also see some bleeding when brushing your teeth. If you have pain when placing pressure on the implant or a feeling like it’s loose, don’t hesitate to call your dentist.
Save Your Smile Today!
If you’re concerned about dental implant pain, don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact your dentist right away to find the underlying cause to save your smile.
About Dr. Jeff Lee
Dr. Jeff Lee is a trusted oral surgeon who performs advanced treatments, including dental implants. He specializes in oral and maxillofacial surgery to treat even the most complex cases of tooth loss. Whether you’re ready to rebuild your smile or you’re experiencing signs of implant failure, our office can help. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.