Is getting a dental implant painful?
Not sure whether to get a dental implant? Some people think it is very painful – we answer your questions!
The quick, short answer is: no. Placing implants is minor oral surgery and completely painless, mainly because the bone no longer has a nerve, and also because we work with anaesthesia so that we can operate on the gum without any sensation at all. So it is an operation without discomfort, and recovery afterwards is very manageable.
What’s more, the world of dentistry is proud to say that the success rate of dental implants is currently estimated at 98%.
It is normal for some patients to feel apprehensive or afraid about having this treatment, but it is important to make clear that, thanks to local anaesthesia, the patient does not feel the surgical procedure.
How an implant is placed, step by step
To begin with, bear in mind that every patient is different, so depending on the clinical situation and the patient’s preferences, the surgery can be carried out in different ways.
Local anaesthesia is generally used for this type of procedure, but other ways of sedating the patient can be used.
There are two dental implant procedures:
- Traditional procedure (between 3 and 6 months)
- Procedure with CEREC technology (1 day)
It is worth highlighting that, before the implants are placed, the first phase is always the initial study and assessment. We need to identify what the patient needs and assess which type of procedure is most suitable.
To ensure the process is a success, Doctor Ricucci, a specialist in dental implants, sets out some instructions that the patient should follow for the day of surgery. For example:
- A professional clean should be carried out before surgery to reduce the levels of bacteria in the mouth.
- A few days beforehand, the doctor will provide the appropriate medication as a preventive measure.
Steps
First step: this involves placing the dental implant, which replaces the root of the tooth. It is buried at bone level, beneath the gum, which will help protect the implant while it heals.
Second step: This is when the doctor checks whether the dental implant has integrated successfully. If it has, they will connect a post/abutment (a kind of cap) so that the gum heals around it and forms an edge that will make it easier to fit the tooth.
Third step: Once the implants have healed properly and their integration has been confirmed, the doctor will go on to make the prosthetic teeth. Once made, these are connected to the osseointegrated dental implants.
How long does it take to place a dental implant?
Implant treatment can take anywhere from 1 day (immediate loading treatment with CEREC) to 4–5 months using the conventional technique. CEREC treatment is one of the most advanced technologies in dentistry and one that makes implant treatments much easier. Its incredible CAD-CAM tool helps us design and produce 3D pieces in a very short time, and they fit the patient’s mouth perfectly thanks to their millimetre precision.
If you are thinking about getting dental implants, we encourage you to click on the following articles:
- What is CEREC technology and why is it the future of dental implantology?
- 10 questions about implants you should know the answers to
