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If you have missing teeth, dental implant surgery can be an essential step towards restoring a fully functional bite and maintaining oral health.
Before having dental implants, knowing what to expect and how the process may feel can help you feel a little less anxious and more prepared.
In this blog, we’ll go over the steps of dental implant surgery, any discomfort you can expect and how to help manage post-surgery discomfort. Once you feel ready to have your consultation, please feel free to contact our team at Oasis Dental Studio in the Gold Coast, Brisbane or Pottsville.
What are dental implants?
Before diving into the surgery itself, it helps to know what dental implants actually are. Essentially, a dental implant is a small titanium root that’s surgically placed into your jawbone. The high-quality, durable titanium root replaces a tooth root, providing a sturdy foundation for a crown, bridge, or denture.
The benefit of dental implants is that they’re designed to feel, function, and look like your natural teeth. Importantly, they also help to preserve your jawbone, preventing the bone loss that often occurs with missing teeth. Filling gaps that missing teeth not only helps to restore your bite and provide aesthetic benefits, but it can also be essential for your overall dental health.
Your consultation: The first step in the dental implant surgery process
To make sure that you’re suitable for dental implants and carefully assess your dental needs, you’ll need an in-depth consultation. This is your first step in the process and can help you ease your nerves, as you’ll be able to ask any questions you have and learn all about the procedure.
You may need X-rays, digital imaging, or other tests to assess your teeth alignment, jawbone density, and other important aspects of your smile. Not only does this help ensure your suitability, but it will also help us plan your procedure to best suit your needs.
Part of your consultation will include discussing preparation and recovery, including how to manage discomfort. You’ll also receive advice on how to reduce any pain after the procedure and what you may be able to expect according to your personalised surgery.
The day of your surgery: How the process works and what to expect
At Oasis, we offer a variety of types of dental implant procedures, so each process will look slightly different. However, the actual process of surgically placing the implant is similar, so we will explain how that works here.
Typically, on the day of the surgery, you’ll be given a local anaesthetic to numb the area. Once the anaesthetic has taken effect, a small incision will be made in your gum to expose the jawbone. A small hole will be created, where the titanium implant will be inserted. The implant is then gently placed, and the gum is stitched back up over it.
Then, you’ll need some time for the implant to fuse in place. Over time, the implant will fuse with your jawbone, in a process called osseointegration. This creates a solid foundation for your new tooth.
Once healing is complete, a small connector piece called an abutment is attached to the implant. This will hold your crown or bridge in place. Sometimes the abutment is added during the initial surgery, (such as with our teeth in a day procedure), but it’s often done in a separate, quick appointment.
Finally, a custom-made crown, bridge, or denture is secured to the abutment, completing your new smile. By this point, the implant should feel just like a natural tooth.
Managing discomfort: Will dental implants hurt?
Now, for the final question that may be on your mind – does the process feel uncomfortable?
Thanks to modern anaesthesia and sedation techniques, you’ll likely feel nothing more than some pressure or vibrations during the procedure itself. However, it will depend on how you’ll feel individually, as everyone can be different.
The dental implant surgery can sometimes take less time than you may think, with some surgeries only taking about 30 minutes. During the process, our team will do what we can to ensure that you feel as comfortable as possible.
Apart from the actual procedure, however, some post-surgical discomfort is normal. Once the anaesthesia wears off, it’s normal to feel some tenderness and swelling. The level of discomfort varies from person to person, but it’s often described as manageable and similar to having a tooth pulled.
Pain and swelling should start to subside about two days after the procedure, and most patients feel back to normal by the end of the first week. However, everyone’s healing speeds are different.
You may have some prescribed pain medication to take, or use over-the-counter pain medication to help manage. Just remember to take these according to the instructions.
Apart from medication, there are some other steps you can take to help minimise discomfort. Firstly, avoiding foods that are hard or crunchy will help. Eating softer foods will put less stress on your teeth and avoid causing any damage or irritation to the surgical site.
You should also get some rest, avoiding any intense physical activity for at least a few days after dental implant surgery. While you don’t have to be completely sedentary, giving your body enough rest will help to support the natural healing process.
Discomfort and pain can worsen if you experience a complication, such as an infection. Part of your recovery will be preventing this from happening.
To keep the area clean, we usually recommend rinsing your mouth with warm salt water. Salt water helps prevent infection and subside swelling. You should also make sure that you attend any check-up appointments that we schedule so that we can monitor your healing and spot any complications early.
At Oasis, we want you to have as comfortable of an experience as possible, so we will make sure that you have a detailed list of instructions on how to manage any pain and what to do if you have any concerns.
Dental Implant Surgery at Oasis Dental Studio in the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Pottsville
At Oasis Dental Studio, we offer a variety of dental implant procedures, including single tooth replacements, All-on-4, teeth in a day, implant-supported dentures, and implant-supported bridges. We use only the highest-quality titanium dental implants and dental equipment.
If you think you need dental implants, or have any questions about the process, please contact our team. We can help you with your questions or book your consultation at either our Gold Coast, Brisbane or Pottsville locations.
