Did you just get a tooth implant procedure? Here's everything you need to know about dental implant pain, how to manage it, and when it signals a more serious problem.
Despite the popular opinion that dentures and other tooth replacement treatments are only for senior patients, the truth is that tooth loss can happen at any age, and may be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- poor dental care
- advanced periodontal disease
- lifestyle choices such as smoking
- sports injury
- dental cavities
High-Quality Dentures & Tooth Implants in Calgary
Whatever your age, and cause of tooth loss, there is a wide range of tooth replacement solutions such as tooth implants, flexible partials, and traditional complete dentures, that can offer you a more functional and aesthetically-pleasing smile.
Whatever your lifestyle, needs, and budget, the team at Future Smiles has the expertise, tools, and solutions, to protect your oral health.
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Denture Implants Flexible Dentures Denture Solutions
Tooth Implant Pain: How Long Does it Last & How to Manage It
While you will not feel any pain during your tooth implant procedure due to the anesthesia, as the numbness wears off, you will most likely begin to feel some discomfort. The extent of this will depend on several factors including how complex the procedure was and how many implants were put in.
How long will the pain last?
While this varies from patient to patient, you may experience some pain and discomfort for anywhere between 7-10 days after the surgery. Your dentist may prescribe you pain medication to help.
Note: You may also experience some swelling which should subside between 3-5 days after your procedure.
Dental Implant Pain: A Basic Guideline
To help you determine whether or not your dental implant pain is normal or a sign of something more serious, here is a basic guide to follow:
- Week 1: It is normal to have some pain and discomfort at this time. Talk to your dentist about pain medication to help keep you comfortable.
- Week 2: At this point, your pain should have subsided. If it hasn’t, you should contact your dentist as this could be a sign of infection.
Tooth Implant Pain After 3-4 Months
If you have begun experiencing dental implant pain 3-4 weeks after your procedure, then it could be a sign of:
- your body’s rejection of the implant
- nerve or tissue damage
- an autoimmune disease
- poor blood supply
- an infection
- interactions with other medications
- an allergic reaction
Whatever the reason, if you are experiencing some discomfort or pain at this stage, you must visit your dentist.
Tooth Implant Pain After One Year
While tooth implants are often a very durable and high-quality solution for tooth loss, it’s important to look after them, and your oral health, to ensure they stay in good condition. If you are experiencing pain a year, or several, after your procedure, this could be due to:
- smoking (3 Reasons Smoking and Tooth Implants Don’t Mix )
- teeth grinding or clenching
- poor dental hygiene
- lack of jaw bone
- lack of gum tissue in the area
- an infection
Again, you must contact your dentist/denturist as soon as you begin feeling any pain or discomfort to protect your overall and oral health.
How to Manage Tooth Implant Pain
While some pain and discomfort is inevitable after your tooth implant procedure, there are some things you can do to minimize this. This includes:
- choosing a qualified dentist/denturist who has experience with tooth implant procedures
- follow all of your dental professional’s post-procedure advice
- take any pain medication your denturist prescribes
- apply a cold compress to the treatment area to reduce any swelling or pain
- gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water to fight infection-causing bacteria
- avoid any hot and hard foods during your recovery and stick to cold, soft ones such as smoothies
- brush and floss your teeth at least twice daily
Remember, you must give your body and jaw plenty of rest to allow your tooth implant to heal properly and quickly.
Call Today
To find out more about the costs and benefits of our tooth implants and other denture solutions, contact our Calgary denture clinic today at (403) 475-0016 or book a consultation.
