One out of every two patients treated with dental implants is concerned about pain during or after surgery. We have prepared an article answering the 4 most common questions from our patients who are getting dental implants in Turkey:
• Will I be in pain during the implant surgery?
• How many days of painful gums after implant surgery?
• When should I see a doctor?
• How can I reduce the pain and risk of complications?
Dental implant placement takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the clinical situation. The placement of a full implant on 4 to 6 implants or a zygomatic implant on the upper jaw may require several hours in the dental chair.
However, regardless of the extent of the procedure, the patient feels no pain during the operation. Modern anesthetics used in dentistry completely eliminate discomfort.
After the anesthesia is over, the patient may experience discomfort and stabbing pain in the jaw, throat, head and temporal region.
The recovery period and therefore the duration of the pain varies from patient to patient and depends on the following factors:
• The number and type of implants implanted (single pin, All-on-4 system, long zygomatic implants) ;
• Complexity of the procedure (bone grafting and upper jaw sinus lift may be performed at the same time as the implants);
• Individual patient characteristics and pain threshold.
Important: Pain after implantation is normal if it does not last longer than 10 days after the operation and if its intensity decreases every day.
In the first few days after the operation, the pain may increase. There is swelling and the wound bleeds slightly. On the second or third day, the operated area may turn blue, some patients have headaches, sore throat and muscle tension in the face.
All these phenomena are normal and indicate a recovery from the operation. Usually, by the fifth day, the patient feels much better.
During this period, the gums may still be sensitive and the cheekbone muscles uncomfortable, but these symptoms disappear completely by the 10th-12th day.
Caution: If 10 to 14 days after the implant placement, the pain does not disappear or worsens, there is swelling and fever, you should immediately consult your doctor. It is possible that an infection has started and that treatment is necessary.
Some patients have a normal recovery period, but a few months after implantation, sudden and severe pain may occur.
This can occur for the following reasons:
• Loosening of the temporary crown post or abutment.
• Rejection of the implant by the body.
Other causes of delayed pain are:
• Inflammatory process in the gums.
• Injury to the maxillary sinus or mandibular nerve due to bone resorption in the area of the implant.
• Not complying with the dental implant aftercare guidelines
• Take pain medication before the anesthesia wears off.
• Follow the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial medication schedule prescribed by your implantologist.
• Beginning on the second day, rinse your mouth with saline, soda and over-the-counter antiseptics.
• Follow the diet prescribed by your doctor.
• Ice your cheek for the first few days after surgery.
• Avoid physical stress, get enough rest and take good care of your mouth.
If you notice one or more of the symptoms described above, see a dentist immediately.
• Persistent and continuous bleeding;
• High fever after 3 days.
• Stabbing pain that cannot be relieved by painkillers.
• Significant swelling.
• Any pain occurring 10 days after surgery;
• Severe pain during and after osseointegration of the post.
If you are interested in ensuring that your dental implant is successful, you might also want to read what should I do before a dental implant.
Important: Complications are often due to errors during implant insertion. To avoid them, choose the right implantologist and have your teeth implanted in a dental clinic with a proven track record and a lifetime guarantee on the treatment.