Photos on the Internet make dental implants look like a complicated, painful procedure. However, that is most often not the case. The modern implant process involves computer-aided imaging, state-of-the-art lab work, and a modern clinic to make your implant procedure comfortable. Let’s take a look at how dental implants are a relatively painless procedure and why you should get them at our clinics in either Costa Rica or Cancun.
Your dental implant procedure is actually spread out over two visits
When you schedule an appointment for your dental implants, you will actually be scheduling two visits, spread out by about six to eight months. The first visit involves computer imaging of your mouth, the actual tissue grafting that goes along with your implants, and setting up of temporary dentures. During your second appointment, the crowns will be placed on your dental implants.
The most complicated appointment is the first visit. This is the actual appointment when tissue grafting and any necessary tooth extraction happens. During the first appointment, patients may experience some discomfort.
How bad can pain get during dental implants?
In medicine, there is a ten-point scale where patients can rank their pain. The lowest value on the scale is one, which indicates a slight level of pain. Any number higher than eight indicates severe pain. Most patients, after their first appointment, their pain at any level from one to three. This means that most patients will notice their pain, but can easily adapt to it with over-the-counter medications, such as Ibuprofen
Some patients who require tissue grafting will notice a more present pain. This pain is not severe in most individuals, and there are medications available that will help reduce the amount of pain while the tissue grafting takes hold.
How long does pain persist after a dental implant procedure?
The duration of pain varies from patient to patient. After the procedure, the intensity of the pain usually decreases after four to eight hours with medication. The actual pain itself should subside within one to two days of the procedure.
Some people wonder how long it takes to feel “normal” again after their dental implants procedure. Generally speaking, you will need to eat softer foods immediately after your implant procedure for a period of seven to fourteen days. While you are waiting for your tissue grafting to take hold, you will have temporary dentures. These may seem odd while you are waiting for your permanent crowns, but within time, any awkwardness shall pass.
Do some people experience more pain than others?
Some people won’t need soft tissue grafting. Others will need some level of soft tissue grafting. This is one of the factors that determines the amount and intensity of pain that some people experience. Implants have a very high success rate among patients, 98%, making them one of the most successful dental procedures out there.