Most people struggle for years with their dental pain. Sadly, some lose their confidence to eat out with their friends and family to avoid embarrassment. They fear that this treatment will be painful. Or that it could leave them with a new problem instead of solving all the ones that trouble them.
Are dental implants painful? Well, when done correctly, no. This treatment has become more and more popular. So much so that roughly 15 million people in the U.S. choose it every year. Yet, not many people are aware that dental implants can stabilize loose and poorly fitting dentures. Or that new trends in implant dentistry are making procedures available even to people that could not choose to get one before, like diabetic patients.
5 Signs You Might Need Dental Implants
- Most patients want to know whether dental implants may be necessary in the first place. Of course, discussing all the viable options is always a good idea. Especially if one lost quite a few teeth over the years and is now experiencing difficulties in chewing.
- The front teeth wear down and fracture when there is not as much support in the back of the mouth. In this case, a dental implant can make it a little bit easier to chew and protect the front teeth.
- Once a molar is lost, the mouth suffers a lot of damage. One thing that follows is bone loss in the area. As you lose bone, the adjacent teeth are affected. Over time, without an implant, your facial appearance may change as well.
- Sometimes, dentures irritate the gums. Gum pain with new dentures is pretty common. But often, the problem does not go away, and people resort to eating softer foods. This can have an impact on their lifestyle and prevent them from following a healthier diet.
- Lastly, some patients have just had enough of denture adhesives and denture care.
Why Opt For A Dental Implant Procedure
Usually, tooth replacement is the most common type of dental implant. Replacing a missing tooth takes the burden off adjacent teeth. With a dental implant procedure, the patient stops harming the teeth that take any load for it.
Unlike a denture, the tooth replacement is fixed. It is simple to clean, and maintenance is pretty straightforward. Of course, patients with rocking and uncomfortable dentures can request such dental implants as well. Their fake teeth will never fly off their mouths when laughing and enjoying their free time.
Dental implants can either support the denture and make them less rocky or replace it all together. In the former case, the denture becomes more retentive and will not fall off as easily. In the latter, a fixed solution like a bridge supports brand new teeth.
Some people choose to get their mouth assessed and see whether dental implants might be helpful a little too late. And only when they cannot deal anymore with the level of discomfort that their current solution or method provides. Fixed teeth replacements solve the chewing problem in one go. Above all, the quality of life of a patient who has implants improves drastically.
How Long Does a Dental Implant Take?
From consultation to the pre-surgery visit, the first phase can take up to six weeks. During this time, the dentist could be answering questions and getting information. The first phase is all about gathering the data that allow a patient to decide on moving forward. And to select the most appropriate treatment, of course.
Once we schedule surgery, the second phase usually takes between four and eight months. Such a difference depends on many factors. The first being how fast you can heal. If you are a fast healer, four months are more than enough to enjoy your new dental implant fully.
Your medical history suggests how to handle the following post-op months to avoid complications. Also, how you are doing emotionally can stretch things out. The more you talk with your dentist about your worries during the first phase, the more he or she can make sure you can handle it later.
Sometimes, additional procedures may prove to be necessary. But most likely, you will be warned in time before you proceed. Further procedures are common in cases where bone loss plays an important role.
Most patients worry that the extra procedures or the second phase could cause pain. But while you may experience some discomfort, several options for pain management are available as well.
Sedation Options for Dental Implant Surgery
People who hate going to the dentist often recall a bad experience they had as a kid or young adult relating to pain and anesthesia. But today, dentists can safely sedate patients and get all the patients’ dental care taken care of during surgery.
- IV sedation gets you to a nice level of relaxation fast. Not only will you be feeling comfortable during the surgery, but you will also not have much recollection of it all afterward. Time usually passes a little bit faster while you are in the chair as well.
- Local anesthetic is ideal for situations when numbing a small area is all it takes to make an implant. All the while, you remain conscious. You breathe on your own and can respond to commands like requests to open your mouth a little wider or turn your head. Some patients report a feeling of pressure but no pain.
On the day of surgery, coming with a responsible escort is highly recommended. No matter what solution you opt for, having somebody that can get you home safely should be a top priority. Especially if you have medical conditions like cardiovascular issues.
Patients with any underlying issue must provide us with medical clearance. In this case, contact your physician so that we can use the most appropriate sedatives and make sure we are operating safely. During surgery, our team monitors the quality of your breathing and blood pressure. But we still need medical clearance to ensure your status is good throughout the entire procedure.