Does Getting a Dental Implant Hurt?

Sure, you can leave the gaps left behind by missing teeth alone, but you risk possible long-term oral health consequences. Our Greater Grand Rapids dental implant dentists recommend pursuing dental implants if you’re not already set on dentures or a dental bridge. The idea of oral surgery might be intimidating but we assure you, the actual process is very straightforward.

Here’s what you need to know about the dental implant procedure and why it’s not as scary as you may think.

Confronting Dental Fear & Anxiety

Fear can get in the way of a lot in life. It can keep you from seeing new things, places, and expanding your horizons. You could also miss out on your dream smile if you’re fearful enough of pain and oral surgery.

Fortunately, our dentists aren’t strangers to overly nervous or anxious patients. To make sure you feel confident about moving forward with dental implants, we’ll run every detail about the procedure by you first and answer any questions you may have. We can also discuss sedation options, like laughing gas, that will help you relax in the dental chair.

Inside every one of our West Michigan dental offices, we will never pressure you to pursue anything you don’t want to do. Our dentists and staff are here to serve you and help you choose the right restoration needed for your smile.

The Ins & Outs of the Dental Implant Procedure

It may be surprising to learn that getting a dental implant is not nearly as bad as many people think. In fact, the level of discomfort following surgery can be compared to a simple tooth extraction or a dental filling. Most of the time, over-the-counter pain relievers will help alleviate any soreness.

You should also feel no pain whatsoever during the actual dental implant surgery. Our dentists will start by administering a local anesthetic to the area so other than some pressure, you should be quite comfortable. If you notice any severe discomfort while the implant is being placed, please don’t hesitate to speak up and we’ll make sure the area is properly numb before continuing.

Am I Ready For Dental Implants?

To be a candidate for dental implants, you need to meet a few qualifications. One of which is you have a tooth (or multiple) missing. You should also be willing to commit to the healing process following placement which can take several months to complete.

Interested in dental implants? You’ll need to:

• Have a fully grown jawbone
• Be free of certain health conditions that may impact bone healing
• Quit smoking or already be tobacco-free from the start
• Have enough bone in their jaw to secure the implant
• Qualify for a dental bone graft if there isn’t enough bone originally

Our dentists may recommend other options with regards to replacing teeth if you fall into the following categories:

• Children with growing jaws
• Patients with chronic diseases (i.e., diabetes, leukemia, etc.)
• Regular smokers

Ask Our Dentists About Dental Implants

Doing the right thing for your oral health isn’t always easy. Our dental implant dentists in Greater Grand Rapids are here to calm your nerves and care for you from start to finish. Start the tooth replacement discussion today by calling Robinson Dental at 1-888-WE-C-U-NOW to request an appointment.