What to Expect After Dental Implants

Millions of people around the world suffer from tooth loss. Missing teeth can disrupt the appearance of your smile and make it harder to perform your usual oral functions. You can find the most comprehensive oral restoration with tooth replacement through dental implants.

Many people feel nervous about dental procedures and may hesitate to pursue implant dentistry. You can feel more confident in this treatment by knowing what will occur during your recovery from this dental work. Read on to learn more about what you can expect after you replace your missing teeth with dental implants.

implant dentistry treatment expectations

Implant Dentistry Recovery FAQs

Do Dental Implants Hurt?

Dental fear often stems from the anticipation of pain during a dental procedure. You can feel confident that your dentist will prioritize patient comfort during the implant dentistry process.

You will experience oral surgery for the placement of anchors into the jaw that will serve as support for the prosthetic teeth. The dentist will give you a local anesthetic during this procedure to numb the area so that you will not feel discomfort. You can ask your dentist about sedation options too to feel even more at ease in the dental chair.

Attaching the prosthetic crown, bridge, or denture to the anchors will also not hurt. The surgical sites may feel sore as they heal, but your dentist will give you pain management guidelines so that it will not be unbearable.

Extreme pain is abnormal, and you should call your dentist if you experience this during your recovery. It could point to the failure of your implants, which will require dental intervention to fix.

How Long Does It Take to Receive Dental Implants?

Implant dentistry involves multiple steps over the course of several months to complete. You will first need a consultation appointment so that your dentist can affirm that this is the right treatment for your unique dental needs.

Then you will have oral surgery to receive the anchors of the implants. The anchors will take three or more months to heal and fuse with the jawbone.

Then you return to your dentist for the placement of the prosthetic teeth. You may need to attend follow-up appointments with your dentist after this to ensure your new implants heal and function properly.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

With proper care and maintenance, dental implants will last for twenty years or longer without requiring replacement. The anchors provide durable support that can remain in place for a lifetime.

Though the process to receive the implants might be lengthy, the results will make the effort worth it. You can maximize the benefits of tooth replacement with implant dentistry, which replaces teeth below the gum line, unlike removable options.

Dental implants will not need extra maintenance like other restorative dental appliances. But you should continue good oral hygiene habits to get the most out of your dental treatment. Oral health problems could alter your dental structure and impact your implants.