For many people, a visit to the dentist is connected with the expectation of pain. This may be because they have had a bad experience themselves in the past. Although often it is simply because of a lack of knowledge and understanding of how dental treatments and procedures are performed. It is also worth remembering that many people attend the dentist because they are already experiencing tooth pain, often as a result of tooth decay or other problems. In some cases, patients put off visiting the dentist until the pain is unbearable because of common misconceptions.

Given that so many people fear going to the dentist, it is natural that many patients considering having dental implants share the same question – are dental implants painful? Let’s take a close look and put your mind at rest.

Why choose dental implants?

Missing teeth can have a significant impact on our confidence and sense of self-esteem. This can have an increasingly detrimental effect on our personal and professional lives. As well as avoiding smiling and ducking out of family photos, many people find themselves becoming more and more reluctant to speak in public. In severe cases, people may even avoid eating in company. This can leave people isolated and alone, which often compounds the problem.

There are also other problems associated with missing teeth. Under normal conditions, your jaw is stimulated by the chewing action of your teeth, helping it to maintain a healthy condition. If a tooth is lost, so is this stimulation. Over time, this can lead to the jawbone beginning to recede, resulting in the potential for failure and eventual loss of other teeth. It can also cause a gradual change in appearance which often results in early signs of ageing.

Dental implants are a permanent solution to missing teeth that. Unlike other solutions such as crowns and bridges, they do not compromise the integrity of the healthy, remaining teeth. They provide you with the most stable and natural looking replacement. They also help to strengthen the jaw by replacing not just the missing tooth but also the root.

Dental implants are a tried and tested permanent solution to missing teeth. They have helped millions of patients worldwide to restore confidence in their smile.

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is actually three components – the implant, the abutment and the crown.

The implant is the replacement root. It is made of high-quality titanium, which is biocompatible. This means that it is able to bond and fuse with the natural bone around it to become part of your jaw, creating long-term stability.

Once the implant is fully bonded, the abutment can be fitted. This is a special part that connects the new root with the replacement tooth.

Finally, there is the all important part that is required to restore your smile – the crown. This is an artificial tooth that is made to look and feel just like your natural teeth.

Is implant fitting painful?

Here at Stella Maris Dental, we pride ourselves in providing painless dentistry and this includes dental implants. Our implantologist has over twenty years of experience and many happy patients.

After your initial consultation and any preliminary treatment, the actual process of fitting your dental implants typically has four main stages.

The entire fitting process is performed under anaesthetic. You will be given a full aftercare program to help avoid any pain during recovery. This may include painkillers and antibiotics prescribed by your dentist, and sometimes ice packs.

You may need to return to have stitches removed, however this will also be done under anaesthetic so there is no need to worry.

Whilst the vast majority of patients find the entire process completely painless, do be aware that it is a minor surgical procedure and therefore some patients may experience slight discomfort during recovery.

The multi award-winning Stella Maris Dental Practice in West Bromwich has over 20 years’ experience. We have successfully placed thousands of dental implants with exceptional success rates. For long-lasting dentistry that you can trust, call us today on 0121 588 4541 or click here to find more ways to get in touch.