Are Implants painful

• Follow the post-procedure instructions that you are given carefully.
• Your dentist will recommend that you take painkillers following the procedure to alleviate the discomfort. Ibuprofen is typically recommended. If you choose to take it, you should take around 600mg every eight hours or so. If this does not relieve your pain, tell the dentist so they can prescribe something stronger.
• Used an ice pack (or a bag of frozen vegetables) to reduce the swelling. Apply it to your cheek or lip as soon as you can after you get home.
• Bathe (don’t swish or gargle) your gums in warm salt water.
• Avoid solid/hard foods to prevent irritation. Cold and soft foods like ice cream, smoothies and yogurt are ideal.
• Pay extra special attention to your oral hygiene.
• If the pain gets worse, lasts longer than it should or is abnormally strong, contact a medical professional immediately to avoid serious problems.
• Get plenty of rest and don’t do anything strenuous to let the healing process do its thing.

Almost all of the swelling should be gone in the first 3-5 days after the surgery and the pain should be almost completely gone after 7-10 days.

Problems That Cause Additional Discomfort

• Loose healing cap – The small screw that is placed in the top of the implant while the gum is healing becomes loose. The cap must be removed, cleaned and re-fitted.
• Loose implant – Insufficient bone volume, external pressures/forces and more can cause it to become loose. It must be removed in most cases.
• Bone burn – In rare cases, the heat of the drill can damage the bone surrounding the post. The prosthetic and dead bone must be removed.
• Infection – Gum or bone can become infected. This can be treated with antibiotics.
• Nerve damage/pressure – A nerve is damaged by the drilling or the post is placed too close to it. Artificial tooth must be removed and redone if it is safe to do so.
• Rejection – The patient’s body rejects the implant. Solutions include trying another type or an alternative solution.

If you notice any signs of swelling, infection or irritation after the timelines mentioned above, you should seek medical attention. They can check the implants and surrounding gum tissue and repair and minor problems. If these signs last for more than two or three weeks then something might be wrong with it.

With plenty of rest, painkillers, and ice packs, you should be able to minimize the amount of pain you experience after your surgery. A few days of pain and discomfort is a small price to pay for long-term dental health and a great looking smile.