Tooth loss is a growing concern worldwide. According to the Oral Health Foundation, around three in every four adults in the UK have at least one missing tooth. Missing teeth affect one’s smile and appearance and cause difficulty speaking and eating. Therefore, dentists recommend that missing teeth should be replaced with delay.
“But, what is the best tooth-replacement option”, you might ask? Well, dentists worldwide agree that dental implants are the most reliable, durable, and aesthetically pleasing option for tooth replacement. Unfortunately, many people think that getting dental implants is a painful procedure. So, is the dental implant procedure really painful? You will find the answer to this question in this blog. So, continue reading to learn everything you need about tooth replacement with dental implants.
How Painful Is The Dental Implant Procedure?
Contrary to what many people believe, the dental implant procedure is painless. Why? Let us explain. Although implant placement involves surgical treatment, which is painful, your dentist will make sure that you remain pain-free and relaxed during this procedure by administering local anaesthesia. Also, in some cases where multiple implants need to be placed in a single sitting, dentists may consider doing it under general anaesthesia. Furthermore, for extremely frightened or apprehensive patients, treatment under conscious sedation may also be considered. So, the short answer is no; you won’t feel pain during the implant procedure.
Can You Get Implants After Having Dentures For Years?
Any individual who has lost one or more natural teeth is a candidate for dental implants, even if you have been wearing dentures for many years. However, prolonged denture use can cause various complications that must be addressed before implant therapy. For example, dentures exert direct pressure on the underlying jawbone and accelerate their degradation. As a result, long-term denture wearers do not have sufficient healthy jawbone available to firmly anchor the implant. Therefore, denture wearers often need to undergo additional procedures, such as bone grafting, to restore bone density before getting implants.
What Are The Benefits Of Dental Implants?
Dental implants offer several benefits over other tooth replacement options.
- Durability – titanium-based dental implants are extremely durable and can last a lifetime if looked after properly.
- Aesthetics – dental implants offer the best aesthetics among all tooth replacement options.
- Convenience – with dental implants, you can enjoy all your favourite foods without restrictions, unlike dentures or bridges.
- Better Oral Hygiene – dental implants allow you to maintain better oral hygiene than other tooth replacement options.
- Bone Conservation – unlike removable dentures that cause unwanted bone loss, dental implants promote bone formation around them and prevent their degradation.
What Happens While Getting A Dental Implant?
The dental implant placement procedure is typically carried out in multiple steps. First, your dentist will perform a thorough examination, look at the x-ray images, and examine the study models of your teeth. This information will allow them to prepare a customised treatment plan and determine the number and location of the implants.
In the next appointment, the implant surgical procedure will be carried out. This involves making an incision over the soft tissues covering the bone where implants are to be placed. Next, holes will be drilled in the bone corresponding to the sites where implant insertion is planned. Finally, the implants will be carefully screwed into these holes and covered with a healing collar. This collar ensures uninterrupted healing of the surgical site.
After 4-6 months, when complete healing has taken place, your dentist will attach a suitable prosthesis over the implants to replace the missing teeth. That’s it. You’re now the proud owner of a beautiful smile.
Do You Need Sedation For Dental Implants?
Sedation is not essential for getting dental implants. Most dental implant procedures are carried out under local anaesthesia. However, in cases when multiple implants are placed in a single sitting, or additional procedures are needed, your dentist may consider general anaesthesia. Furthermore, conscious, oral, or IV sedation may be considered to calm down apprehensive or uncooperative patients.
How Painful Is A Front Tooth Implant Procedure?
Regardless of the location of the missing tooth, the procedure of its replacement with an implant remains the same. If you need an implant to replace a front missing tooth, it will not be painful. This is because your dentist will make you pain-free by administering local anaesthesia.
Will I Be In Pain During Or After Getting A Dental Implant?
You will not experience pain during the implant procedure as you will be under anaesthesia. However, you may experience some pain or discomfort after the treatment. Your dentist will prescribe you painkillers to relieve the pain and swelling. You can also perform water saline rinses to reduce the pain and swelling.
Can You Bite Into Food With Dental Implants?
Dentists ask their patients not to use them for eating immediately after their placement. It usually takes 4-6 months for the implant to anchor itself properly in the jawbone. Afterwards, when the final prosthesis has been attached, you can eat all your favourite foods with your implant-supported teeth.
Dental implants are a convenient, aesthetically pleasing, long-term option for replacing missing teeth. However, their treatment outcome is highly dependent on the skill and experience of the dentist. If you live in Newham or surrounding areas, Newham Dental is the best place for your entire family’s dental needs. We boast a highly qualified team of dentists and cutting-edge dental equipment to provide the highest-quality dental services to our esteemed patients. So, book an online consultation appointment with us today and take your first step towards a beautiful and healthy smile.
