
By: Dr. Lahiru Chandraweera
December 12, 2022
Is Dental Implant Surgery Painful?

It’s natural to be a bit apprehensive when it comes to any surgical procedure, especially one that involves your oral health. If you’re considering dental implant surgery and wondering how painful the process may be, you’ve come to the right place.
In this post, we’ll discuss whether or not dental implant surgery is painful and how to manage dental implant pain, should there be any.
By the time you finish reading this post, we hope you have enough information on hand so that any fears or apprehensions about undergoing treatment can be put at ease.
What Happens During Dental Implant Surgery?
Dental implant surgery is a procedure that replaces missing teeth with artificial ones. During the dental implant process, a metal post is surgically implanted into your jaw bone to act as an anchor for the new tooth.
The dental implant posts are made of titanium, which is strong and can fuse with your existing bone tissue over time. After your jawbone has healed around the implant, a new tooth or teeth can be attached.
Before the surgery begins, you will have an initial consultation with your dentist. They will take X-rays and moulds of your mouth to check if all necessary preparations have been made for a successful implant. If you have extensive bone loss and lack bone density, you will need additional procedures such as bone grafts or sinus lifts. You’ll undergo tooth extraction if the damaged natural tooth is still present.
However, if you’re considered a good candidate for dental implants, you’ll proceed with the surgery. During the procedure, you will receive local anesthesia to numb the nerves in the area. You will also be sedated if needed.
Once the replacement teeth have been placed, the area will be cleaned and sutured close. Your dentist will prescribe pain relief medications to help manage discomfort.
You can expect some swelling and soreness for several days after the surgery. It is important to follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions for proper care of the implant site as it heals.
Your dentist will schedule follow-up visits to check if the implant is healing properly and to make any necessary adjustments. Depending on your situation, it may take several months for the implant to completely heal and be ready for use.
Once the implant has healed, you can expect it to last many years with proper care and maintenance.
Is Dental Implant Surgery Painful?
If you’re considering getting dental implants to replace missing teeth, you may be wondering: is a dental implant painful?
Undergoing a dental implant procedure is more involved than other restorative methods, such as bridges or dentures. However, the pain associated with placing a dental implant is often relatively low.
Typically, anesthesia is used to alleviate any discomfort that arises. Additionally, many dental patients who have undergone dental implant treatments report less postoperative pain than they would have experienced with other treatments. If you experience discomfort, your dentist will teach you how to manage tooth implant pain.
The most common causes of dental implant pain are:
- Infection:
Dental implant pain can result from an infection or inflammation of the gum tissue around the implant. Signs of infection include pain, redness, swelling and tenderness around the implant site. - Nerve Damage:
When the dental implant is placed too close to a nerve, this can lead to nerve damage. The patient may experience pain, tingling, or numbness. - Poor Blood Supply:
Poor blood supply to the implant site can lead to pain and discomfort. - Pressure:
Pressure on the dental implant due to improper placement or insufficient healing time can cause pain. - Overloading:
When too much stress is placed on a dental implant, it can cause pain and discomfort. - Foreign Object Sensitivity:
Dental implants are made of metal or other materials your body may not be accustomed to. This can sometimes lead to a sensitivity reaction.
Some degree of discomfort after surgery is normal. Your dentist will assess the possible cause of dental implant pain and provide an appropriate treatment plan based on their analysis.
Overall, there is no need to worry. While it is understandable to be concerned about dental implant pain during the placement of this type of prosthetic tooth root, most find the experience tolerable and beneficial in the long run.

Do I Have to Be Put To Sleep During Dental Implant Surgery?
Generally speaking, not all patients are offered sedation options before dental implant surgery. Most clinics may offer local anaesthesia to minimise pain and make sure the patient is comfortable. However, some complex cases may require general anaesthesia to put the patient asleep during the procedure.
Ultimately, it all depends on your circumstances. Your dentist should be able to provide more information on which type of anaesthesia would best serve your situation. This is so you can have a positive and comfortable experience with your dental implant surgery.
How Can I Manage Pain After Dental Implant Placement?
Pain is a common side effect after having dental implant surgery, but how you can best manage pain will depend on how reactive and sensitive your body is.
To make sure you feel comfortable in the days and weeks following this minimally invasive procedure, here are eight techniques for how to manage dental implant pain after placement:
- Take over-the-counter pain medication and other medications prescribed by your dentist.
- Be mindful not to disturb the clot that forms near the extraction site.
- Use cold compresses to reduce swelling and soreness.
- Practice good oral hygiene measures to prevent gum disease. Good oral care includes brushing and flossing around the implant area carefully after meals.
- Engage in light stretching and walking to encourage blood flow and circulation throughout your body, including your mouth and jaw area.
- Get enough rest – your body needs it to heal.
- Take dietary supplements such as Vitamin C or Omega 3s to help with healing.
- Rinse your mouth with salt water as often as needed for pain relief.
Following these tips will help ensure that after having placed your dental implants, you will remain comfortable throughout the healing process. If you’re experiencing persistent discomfort, get in touch with your dentist for proper treatment.
What Should I Eat After Implant Placement?
After implant placement, what you eat is crucial in proper healing. This can affect how long your recovery period will be. Eating the wrong foods after implant placement could damage the area and complicate the healing process.
For a speedy recovery, it’s important to stick to soft foods for the first few days. These include foods like:
- Cooked vegetables
- Soups (with no large chunks of vegetables)
- Applesauce
- Mashed potatoes
- Bananas
- Scrambled eggs
- Yogurt
- Hummus
- Steamed fish
- Avocado
You should also stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids— particularly water— throughout the day to help flush away toxins from your system. Eating the right foods after implant placement is an important part of recovery for restoring oral health and function.
What Should I Avoid After Implant Placement?
After implant placement is complete, your dental health is not quite out of the woods yet.
You must carefully monitor what foods you’re eating and your activities to achieve optimal healing and prevent potential future issues.
Generally, what you should avoid includes:
- Anything that puts extra pressure on the implant, such as hard or sticky foods. A soft diet is recommended, especially the first few days after surgery.
- Strenuous activity and vigorous exercise
- Smoking
- Contact sports
- Vigorous brushing for at least a few weeks after the procedure
- Spicy food
- Extremely hot foods and beverages
- Acidic foods and drinks
Your dentist can provide more detailed advice on what you should avoid conforming to what is good for your situation.
How Soon Can I Return to My Normal Routine After the Surgery?
After dental implant surgery, the amount of time it takes to return to your normal routine can vary. It largely depends on how invasive the procedure was and how quickly you recover.
Generally speaking, you may be able to resume most of your regular daily activities within a few days or weeks. More strenuous physical activity like running or heavy lifting should be avoided for around two weeks after the surgery.
Additionally, it is important to practice good oral hygiene and follow any postoperative instructions your dentist gives so that healing goes smoothly and quickly. Although every person’s healing timeline is different, with proper care, it is possible to get back to your usual routine in no time!
Final Thoughts
Is dental implant surgery painful? The honest answer is that it depends. Every patient has a different level of pain, which also depends on the complexity of the individual procedure. However, when we talk about modern dental implant procedures, a vast majority of dental implant patients can agree that there is minor discomfort. Any pain experienced during and after the surgery is generally minimal and manageable.
If you’re ready to finally achieve that beautiful smile, book an appointment through our website or call Hills Family Dental Centre today! We would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about dental implant surgery – no matter how small.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different kinds of dental implants?
Replacing missing or damaged teeth can be a daunting prospect. However, the different kinds of dental implants available today have made it easier for us to restore our smiles with confidence.
There are many different options available to meet the needs of different implant patients, including:
- Single-tooth dental implants replace a single missing tooth.
- Implant-supported bridges use two or more dental implants to support a bridge instead of relying on the adjacent teeth on either side to provide support.
- Implant-supported dentures utilise several strategically placed implant posts and may be used in upper and lower arches.
- All-on-Four dental implants use four cylindrical posts that act as secure anchors for a full arch of prosthetic teeth, transforming your smile and restoring function. This allows individuals who don’t have enough bone mass for traditional implants to get them.
These different dental implants can address different needs and provide solutions for various dental problems.
What kinds of prostheses can be attached to dental implants?
Dental implants provide a strong base for several kinds of prostheses. Depending on their needs and preferences, patients may choose from various prosthetic types, such as dental crowns, bridges, or dentures.
For example, if someone wants to restore just one missing tooth, then a single crown can be attached to the implant. But if someone is looking to replace many teeth at once, they may need either an implant-supported bridge or a full or partial denture.
These prostheses are designed to fit securely onto dental implants and blend into the natural smile seamlessly.
How expensive are dental implants?
There isn’t a straightforward answer to this question since different providers may have different rates, and prices can vary depending on how many implants you need.
In general, however, most people should plan to spend between $4,000 and $6,000 for dental implants.
It is important to do your research and compare multiple providers to make sure that you get the best bang for your buck.
Why are dental implants expensive?
Dental implants are quite an expensive dental procedure. The average cost is typically several thousand dollars. But why are dental implants so pricey? There are a variety of reasons for this.
First, dental implants require using special materials and specialised tools, such as dental drills and screws, that require extensive training to handle correctly.
Additionally, dental implant surgery is complex and relies on high levels of skill to ensure the integrity of the final result.
Finally, dental implants can involve additional fees due to follow-up procedures to evaluate healing and watch out for health complications related to the implant.
Altogether, these reasons make dental implants more costly than other tooth replacement options.