Your Canmore Invisalign® Provider
There are multiple reasons that someone may choose dental implant surgery, as it can restore function and appearance to your smile after the loss of one or more teeth. Our Canmore dentists answer common questions about any pain that may be associated with dental implant surgery.
Does dental implant surgery hurt?
The short answer is that this procedure shouldn't hurt.
OK, what's the long answer?
The longer answer is that your dentist will start by applying local anesthesia. There will be a needle involved, and you may feel pressure during the procedure. However, the nerves will be numbed and unable to transmit much if any pain response. In cases where needles or dental procedures cause anxiety, sedation options can help make the procedure less stressful.
The Steps of Dental Implant Surgery
As detailed above, the first step will be to administer a local anesthetic to numb the site where the dental implant is being surgically placed. Once we've established that the area is acceptably numb to pain, the titanium post that holds the implant in place will be placed in a space that's created in your gums and jaw bone. Our dentists in Canmore use computerized 3D modeling to create and place the implant.
Lastly, the post is inserted and secured. A cap is placed on top to keep it safe while it heals for the next few months.
How long does recovery take? Will it hurt after the procedure?
Many of our patients tell us they are surprised by how unintrusive they find the procedure to be. You should be able to return to your regular life a few days to a week after the procedure. You still may experience some post-surgical discomfort for a little while afterwards. If so, we usually recommend over-the-counter pain medication, such as ibuprofen, to help make recovery comfortable.
Crowning your Dental Implant
It takes around four months for a new dental implant to fuse to the bone. Once this has happened, it will be time to return to our Canmore dental practice to have your dental implant(s) crowned. The crown is what will give the implant a natural look, much like a real tooth.