Epidemiological studies estimate that about 178 million people in the United States are missing at least one tooth. A missing tooth can alter the look of a person’s smile. Whether the problem is due to tooth decay, gum disease, trauma, or genetics, it can eventually affect your teeth’s alignment. Without replacement, missing teeth can cause a host of issues down the road. Are you thinking of getting a dental implant? If you’re worried that you’ll get a toothache with implants, read on to learn more about this popular method of tooth replacement.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are surgical fixtures made of titanium cylinder screws. Your dental implant dentist places these into your jawbone below the gums. They are reliable and feel like a real tooth. It’s regarded as a permanent solution for those with a missing tooth or multiple teeth. Implants are one of the standards of care for prosthetic replacement of missing teeth. Having an implant fused to the jawbone is the closest thing to mimicking a natural tooth.

Will It Cause Tooth Pain?

Before the implant surgery, the area where an incision will be made will be numbed using an anesthetic. This means that you should not feel any discomfort during the surgical procedure itself. After the operation and as soon as the drug has worn off, it’s normal to experience some side effects. The area that your dental surgeon operated on may bleed slightly and feel tender. There may be some swelling and bruising too.

Every patient heals differently. Everyone also has their own pain threshold. The discomfort you will experience will depend on how complicated your dental implant surgery was. Placing only a single implant will not be as painful as having to affix multiple implants. Rest assured that your dental implant dentist will provide you a ballpark after your operation on how long you can expect to feel pain for. On average, the side effects should subside 10 days after the surgery. The discomfort should improve following the procedure, not worsen. So, if you notice that the swelling, toothache, bleeding, and other pains are getting worse after three days, you need to call your surgeon immediately.

Signs of Dental Implant Infection

As previously mentioned, implants work like natural teeth. This means that they, too, can become infected. If neglected, your implants will become diseased and eventually fail. Here are the common signs that you need to watch out for:

1. Fever.

2. Icky taste.

3. Bad breath.

4. Difficulty chewing.

5. Loose dental implant.

6. Pus from the surgical site.

7. Throbbing pain from the area.

8. Dull ache or tenderness on palpation.

9. Red or puffy gums around the implant.

10. Bleeding when brushing around the implant.

Depending on the infection level, your dental implant dentist may prescribe antibiotics and special mouth rinses. They may also provide a combination of other treatment options. This way, they can get your dental implant back on a healthy track, preventing it from causing any systemic illness.

Are you experiencing a toothache or any persistent discomfort from your implants? Contact Dr. Sam’s Premier Dentistry in Sherman, Texas, today. Our team of highly skilled and experienced oral dental care professionals can provide appropriate treatment to help you recover faster. Call us now at (903) 708-6400 to schedule your consultation.