How Long Will the Pain Last After Getting a Dental Implant?
Dental implants are one of the most common tooth replacement options due to the level of quality they offer. A dental implant is placed directly into the jaw so that it looks and functions like a natural tooth. It provides the bite strength of a healthy tooth and can last for the rest of your life.
If you’re thinking about or planning to get a dental implant, you may expect that some pain will accompany the procedure. It is a surgical procedure after all. But how long will the pain last after getting a dental implant? Here’s what you can expect.
What To Expect in the First Few Days
In the first 2-3 days following your procedure, you stand to experience the greatest amount of discomfort. Some patients would describe it as pain, but others just a mild discomfort. This is when swelling and inflammation are at their peak post procedure, so it makes sense that you might feel more uncomfortable in the first few days.
Most patients find that the discomfort they feel can be easily managed with over the counter pain medication, such as ibuprofen(Advil) or acetaminophen(Tylenol). If not, your dentist may be able to prescribe you a stronger pain reliever.
Reduce irritation to the area by eating soft foods and avoiding hot beverages. You can apply ice in cycles of 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off to reduce swelling and inflammation.
Pain Should Lessen on Days 4-7
Once you reach the fourth day after your procedure you should be over the greatest of the discomfort and start to feel better. You may be able to eat more foods and reduce or cease your pain medication. Swelling should have gone down significantly, helping to reduce inflammation and irritation. At this point you are most likely back to your regular daily activities such as work and exercise.
One Week After the Procedure
After about a week to maybe 10 days following your dental implant procedure, you should feel back to normal. Most of your pain should have subsided and you should be able to eat and drink normally. For some patients it may take as long as 2 weeks to fully recover, especially if you have any medical conditions that cause you to take more time to heal from injuries or surgery.
Still Feeling Pain More Than 2 Weeks Later? Contact Your Dentist
It is not normal to still feel significant pain more than 2 weeks after your dental implant was placed. This could mean that you have a postoperative infection or another issue keeping the site of your implant from healing as it should. Dental implants are made of titanium, which is a biocompatible material, yet in rare cases the body will reject the dental implant as a foreign object.
Don’t ignore the pain because it could lead to a failed implant. A severe infection could even become life-threatening. Contact your dentist and make an appointment for an evaluation.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Don’t let the fear of pain prevent you from getting the highest quality tooth replacement option available in dentistry. Most patients experience only mild discomfort and speedy recovery. Consider the top benefits of dental implants.
- Natural function. A dental implant, because it is surgically placed in the jaw bone, functions as closely as possible to a natural tooth in a prosthetic.
- Natural appearance. A dental implant more closely resembles a natural tooth than any other replacement option.
- Bone preservation. Dental implants preserve the bone structure of your jaw that would otherwise weaken with one or more missing teeth.
- Avoid damage to healthy teeth. A dental implant won’t do any damage to your healthy teeth the way a dental bridge can.
Doctor’s Lake Family Dental Provides Dental Implants
With the latest technology in dental implantology, the procedure has never been easier. Doctor’s Lake Family Dental uses advanced technology to place dental implants accurately with a minimally invasive technique that can make your procedure and recovery faster and more comfortable.
Call 904-264-6700 or schedule an appointment today.