Is getting dental implants painful?

Dental implant surgery has a plethora of benefits, including restoring function and appearance to your smile following the loss of a tooth or teeth. Today, our Toronto dentists address frequently asked questions about dental implant-related pain.

Does dental implant surgery hurt?

The short answer is, it shouldn't.

OK, what's the long answer?

In a nutshell, we begin the procedure by administering local anesthesia. A needle will likely be used, and you may feel pressure during the procedure – but your nerves will be numbed and unable to transmit much, if any, pain response. Sedation should be available in cases where needles or dental procedures cause anxiety.

The Steps of Dental Implant Surgery

As previously stated, the first step is to administer a local anesthetic to numb the area to be surgically implanted. After establishing that the area is sufficiently pain-free, a space is created in your gums and jaw bone for the titanium post that secures the implant. Our Toronto dentists create and place the implant using computerized 3D modelling.

Lastly, the post is inserted and secured. A cap is placed on top to keep it safe while it heals for the next few months.

How long does recovery take? Will it hurt after the procedure?

You should be able to resume your normal activities within a few days to a week of the procedure. You may still experience some post-surgical discomfort for a brief period following surgery. If this is the case, we typically recommend over-the-counter pain medication, such as ibuprofen, to aid in recovery.

Crowning your Dental Implant

A new dental implant takes approximately four months to fuse with the bone. Once this has occurred, you will need to return to our Toronto dental practice to crown your dental implant(s). The crown is what gives the implant its natural appearance, similar to that of a natural tooth.