One thing that keeps people from getting dental implants in Sydney is that they are afraid it will hurt. There is good news, though: dental implants don’t hurt the way you think they might. In fact, dental implants can be one of the least painful dental procedures you ever have. Sound incredible? It’s true!
Understanding the Dental Implant Procedure
We understand: it might seem like the dental implant procedure should be painful.
In the procedure, we place a dental implant into your jawbone. The dental implant is typically structured like a screw that has to be twisted into place. To make room for the dental implant, we might drill into your bone, or we might use the hole left by an extracted tooth.
However, there are many reasons why a dental implant procedure isn’t actually that painful. Want to learn more about the procedure? Check out our blog on what to expect from your dental implant procedure, or schedule a consultation with a Sydney implant dentist at My Hills Dentist.
Digital Efficiency
Of course, any time we’re dealing with biology, we have some uncertainty and may not be able to control circumstances, which can make the procedure more painful.
While we can’t completely control your biology, at our Sydney dental office, we use a digital dental implant protocol to understand it so that we can design an implant procedure that is as efficient as possible and unlikely to cause unnecessary discomfort. CT scans let us image the area precisely in 3D so that we can design the procedure. Then we create surgical guides that allow us to execute the plan with maximum accuracy. This reduces the risk of unexpected problems and the complications that can come with them, such as pain. There’s no need for painful exploratory surgery, and the efficiency of the procedure reduces the discomfort even more.
Anesthesia and Sedation
Imaging also helps us identify the exact location and density of the major nerves in the area, which can help us properly anesthetize the surgical site. When we do this right, you shouldn’t feel any discomfort during the procedure itself, likely just some pressure.
Of course, much of the discomfort from dental procedures is psychological, often related to fear and tension. At our Sydney dental office, we do our best to help with this. We answer all your questions and explain the procedure thoroughly in a language that you can easily understand. With all your questions answered, you will likely feel at ease. But if you still have anxiety, we also offer sedation dentistry options.
Postoperative Care to Control Discomfort
While we can control discomfort during the procedure, you will have the most influence on discomfort after the procedure. If you follow postoperative instructions closely, you can minimize pain after your procedure.
Prepare yourself for optimal healing by making sure you’re getting the essential vitamins and minerals your body needs.
Applying ice to your cheek near the surgery site can help control swelling and discomfort. Rotating ten minutes on and ten minutes off often works to control discomfort. Depending on your procedure, we may or may not prescribe pain medication. If you have been prescribed medication, take it according to instructions. If not, you can use over-the-counter medication according to the label instructions.
Hot and spicy foods can also increase your discomfort, so avoid them for at least the first day after your procedure. Gradually return to a normal diet as discomfort and swelling diminish. Usually, discomfort diminishes, and you’ll feel back to normal about 5-7 days after surgery.
Check here for more information about the dental implant healing process. Contact us if you experience:
- Pain beyond 10 days after surgery
- Pain that increases over time
- Bleeding or redness beyond a few days after surgery
- A dental implant that seems loose
These might be signs of serious complications.
Considering Dental Implants in Sydney?
If you are considering dental implants in Sydney, don’t be put off by the risk of discomfort. While no procedure is painless, our implant surgery patients typically report that the pain is much less than they expected.
If you want to talk to us in person about this or any other questions you may have about dental implants, please call (02) 9686 7375 today for an appointment with an implant dentist at My Hills Dentist in the Baulkham Hills neighbourhood, near Crestwood Reserve.
