Is Dental Implant Treatment Painful?

Ask anybody with missing teeth about their experience, and they’ll usually mention pain. Many people who have lost teeth may be put off having further treatment such as dental implants because they are worried about suffering again. As a consequence, this means they are missing out on the chance to enjoy having their confidence restored with a brand new smile. If you are interested in dental implants but scared that dental implant treatment might be painful, you are certainly not alone – but you needn’t worry. Read on to learn more.

Why should I get dental implants?

If you have missing teeth, then it is generally recommended to have them replaced. This is because over time, missing teeth and the gaps they leave behind can lead to a number of problems that may eventually cause you to lose further teeth and also to look older.

One such problem is bone loss. When we chew, our teeth help to stimulate the bone below and keep it in a healthy condition. With a missing tooth, this process does not happen and the jawbone gradually begins to deteriorate and ‘shrink’, slowly causing the jaw to recede and making you look older than you are, sometimes known as ‘early aging’.

Your remaining natural teeth may also drift or move due to the weakness in your jaw and this may eventually cause them to fail.

Dental implants – a permanent solution

Dental implants are a permanent solution to missing teeth. Unlike other options such as traditional bridges, they do not have an impact on your remaining, healthy teeth. They provide you with the most stable and natural looking replacement, and help to strengthen the jaw by replacing not just the missing tooth but also the root.

As long as you look after your implants just as you would your normal teeth, they will typically last a lifetime.

Restoring your smile – and your confidence

Many people with missing teeth experience problems with their confidence and sense of self-esteem. In some cases, people find that they avoid smiling, participating in family photos or speaking to friends and colleagues. It is not uncommon for people to avoid social occasions altogether. At a professional level, people find themselves avoiding opportunities to progress.

With dental implants, your smile and your confidence will be restored, so that you can get back to enjoying the life you were meant to live.

How does dental implant treatment work?

Dental implants consist of three elements, known as the implant, the abutment and the crown.

The dental implant itself is essentially a replacement root. It is made of high-quality biocompatible titanium. This means that it has the special property of being able to bond and fuse with the natural bone around it, so that it becomes an integral part of your jaw and restores the previous strength.

Once the implant has fully bonded, the abutment can be fitted, and finally the crown, which will look and feel just like your natural teeth.

What does the fitting process look like?

After your initial consultation and any preliminary treatment, the actual process of fitting your dental implants is fairly straightforward. All treatment is carried out by an experienced specialist and done under anesthetic to ensure that there is no pain.

The most important step is having the implant itself fitted. During this visit, your implantologist will place your implant or implants in the jaw at exactly the right locations to support the replacement tooth or teeth that will eventually be fitted. You will feel nothing during this process, however it is a minor surgical procedure and you may experience some discomfort during the healing process. However, your dental team will give ensure that you have everything you need to ensure that the healing process is as smooth and comfortable as possible.

Once the implants have fully integrated  – usually in three to four months – you will return to have your abutments and crowns fitted which will again be done under anaesthetic.

Remember – the entire dental implant process is a planned, precision procedure, so don’t think of it as something like a tooth extraction or other emergency treatment.

To talk to an expert about dental implant treatment today, get in touch with the friendly and professional team at Stella Maris Dental Practice on 0121 588 4541. Be sure to ask about our attractive Smile Now, Pay later financing options.