If you’ve recently had dental implants placed, it’s likely you’re experiencing some pain following surgery. It’s normal for any type of procedure to include post-operative discomfort, as your body is trying to heal. But what if the pain is severe? What if it’s beyond an ache and cannot be controlled with over-the-counter pain medication or even prescribed medicine? Learn if your dental implant pain in Caldwell is normal or if it’s time to pick up the phone and call your dentist.
Is It Normal to Have Pain After Dental Implant Surgery?
The short answer is yes. When areas of your mouth require your dentist to make incisions in your gums and surgically place titanium posts in your jawbone before closing up the area, it is natural for there to be some level of discomfort. This is part of the reason you are sent home to heal for several months. Not only do your gums need recovery time, but the implant must fuse to the bone and surrounding tissues in a process known as osseointegration. All of this must happen successfully in order for your implant placement to move forward.
Normal side effects you can expect to experience after having your dental implants in Caldwell placed include:
- Facial and gum swelling
- Pain
- Skin and gum bruising
- Minor bleeding
Before you leave your dentist office, you will most likely receive prescribed pain medication to help alleviate any discomfort you might feel while recovering at home.
How Can I Tell if the Pain is Cause for Concern?
What happens if you get home and after a few days, you suddenly notice an increase in pain? It can be difficult trying to determine if your pain tolerance level is one that you should consider cause for concern.
One underlying cause that could be making your post-operative recovery more difficult is if you’ve experienced one of two conditions: nerve injury or peri-implantitis.
If the pain is refusing to let up and no medication is helping to lessen it, it’s highly likely that you have an injured nerve. How can this happen? Unfortunately, there are instances where the implant can touch the nerve that exists underneath the tooth. Women are more prone to this type of condition, as well as individuals who experience depression or anxiety.
The other possible reason you may want to seek treatment for your pain is that you’ve developed peri-implantitis, which is when the implant becomes inflamed as a result of bacterial buildup around the gum line. Some of the symptoms associated with peri-implantitis include:
- Red gums that are tender and painful to the touch
- Bleeding gums
What Types of Treatment Are Available?
The first step you should take if you think the pain you’re experiencing is cause for concern is to call your dentist as soon as possible. This will give your dental team a chance to identify the underlying cause and formulate a treatment plan. With nerve injury, the dentist can remove the implant and make sure you receive an oral steroid to reduce inflammation. During this time, the nerve will be able to heal properly.
If peri-implantitis is the cause, the best method of treatment is to maintain good oral hygiene habits at home and keep your regularly scheduled dental appointments. It will be necessary to have the dentist thoroughly clean the site of your implant to address this problem, and if your case is more serious, you might need surgery to remove the implant and replace it with an alternative restorative option.
It’s difficult to say that any pain is “good,” but most individuals can tell a difference in moderate to severe levels of discomfort. If you’re ever experiencing post-operative symptoms that have you wondering if they’re “normal,” don’t let it go. The best solution is to call your dentist. They’ll be able to confirm whether you should come in for an appointment or if you can expect the pain to dissipate in a few days.
About the Practice
At D&G Dental, our team of highly skilled and trained dental professionals are committed to providing and exceeding the expectations of all patients who come through our doors. Offering a comprehensive list of dental services, we believe in the importance of modern, advanced, comfortable, and compassionate care. From general cleanings to dental implants, we are here to help you achieve optimal oral health. To learn more, contact us via our website or by calling (973) 731-2200.