Is the thought of undergoing dental implant surgery freaking you out? Don’t worry, it’s a common fear that most patients express. Questions like ‘will I feel pain during surgery and what about afterwards?’ are totally understandable. As your local caring dentist we totally get where you’re coming from. After all, having a metal post inserted down into your jaw is probably enough to make anyone shudder, but like most things, the thought of doing something is usually a lot worse than actually having it done.

The good news is that the majority of people who undergo the tooth implant process do so without feeling any pain whatsoever and with very little discomfort. With this in mind, let’s take a closer look at what you can expect.

It’s all in the planning

Similar to a military operation, implant surgery involves a lot of planning which goes on in the background before the patient ‘goes under the knife’. This includes taking X-rays and 3D scans to check for bone density and to plan the correct trajectory of the implant to avoid major anatomical features such as nerves and the sinus cavity. This ensures that surgery is minimally invasive and is done safely, accurately, and as quickly as possible. If this part of the process is executed to perfection, then believe it or not, when it comes to the surgery itself, the majority of dental implant patients don’t even realise they’ve had it. Okay, so this may be down to modern conscious sedation techniques, but trust us when we say that it really isn’t as scary as you’d imagine. After all, several million patients can’t be wrong!

The waiting game

After undergoing surgery for a conventional tooth implant, you’ll need to play a waiting game. This is because the titanium implant needs time to merge or fuse with the bone tissue to create a strong platform in order to support the dental crown. In the meantime, don’t worry! We can always fit you with a temporary crown so you can smile and eat with some degree of confidence while you’re waiting. ÔÇ£OkayÔÇØ, I hear you say…ÔÇØthat’s all well and good but what about the tooth implant pain? Will I have any?ÔÇØ Let’s read on to find out!

Life immediately after dental implant surgery What to expect?

As with any type of surgery you’re likely to feel a little pain or discomfort although this depends on how complex your case was. Some patients who have say – a single implant – may feel little or no discomfort and in some cases can even return to work the following day. Others who have had multiple implants may suffer slight bruising or swelling, minor bleeding, and pain at the implant site and need to take time off work.
For most people, dental implant pain can be brought under control using over-the-counter medication in the form of painkillers. Ice and heat packs can also help to bring out and reducing any facial swelling or bruising.

What about eating?

Unfortunately you will have to eat baby food….. Okay, we’re only kidding, but we do advise that you stick to liquids such as soup or smoothies and soft food like scrambled eggs, yogurts, and mashed potato for the first day or so after surgery. After a couple of days you can gradually introduce solid foods just remember not to skip any meals as nourishment helps build your strength and also helps your body heal faster.

In the main any tooth implant pain should diminish within 5-7 days but if you’re unsure or concerned about anything at all after surgery, then please get in touch with us right away.

Once the implant has fully healed you may need to return for another small bout of surgery. Again, don’t worry this only takes a few minutes and involves uncovering the implant and fitting the abutment. Although on some occasions this can be done at the same time that your implant is placed.

D Day

Congratulations you’ve finally made it to the end of the process. It’s the day for your temporary crown to be removed and your shiny new crown to be cemented into position.. Mission complete! Permission to smile again.

If you’re considering a tooth implant and would like to discuss any concerns surrounding the dental implant process then get in touch with Point Cook Dental on 03 8595 2630. We’re experts at restoring smiles, so give us a call.