How painful are dental implants?

Asked by: Mossie Rodriguez  |  Last update: April 5, 2025
Score: 5/5 (2 votes)

Most patients do not experience discomfort during their treatment. Once the dental implant procedure is over and anesthesia has worn off, it is normal for patients to experience some discomfort. Common side effects of dental implant treatment include soreness in the teeth, gums, and jaw surrounding the treatment area.

What's the most painful part of a dental implant?

The most painful part of a dental implant is the actual drilling process, which is necessary to place the implant.

How long does the pain last after dental implants?

The duration of pain after dental implant surgery varies, but the most significant discomfort is typically in the immediate post-operative period, lasting a few days to a week. After that, patients may experience occasional discomfort for several weeks to a couple of months, but it gradually diminishes.

What is the downside of having dental implants?

The risks and complications you are taking for dental implants include infection, damage to other teeth, delayed bone healing, nerve damage, prolonged bleeding, jaw fractures and more. If you are willing to take these risks, dental implants might be right for you.

Do they put you to sleep for dental implants?

Most patients are put under conscious sedation while local anesthesia is applied to the area of the mouth that is being worked on. Unless bone grafting is involved, general anesthesia is rarely used in dental implant surgery.

Are Dental Implants Painful? Watch This First!

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How many hours does dental implants take?

Implant Surgery

Your dentist will place the titanium implant in your jaw bone, right below the gums. This surgery usually takes about 1-2 hours for each implant being placed. After this step is complete, most dentist will wait about 3 months before the final restoration of the tooth replacement.

Are dental implants considered major surgery?

Just like tooth extraction, dental implant surgery is primarily a minor surgery. However, dental implants may include other procedures such as bone grafting. This additional procedure is necessary for patients who have a surgical site with insufficient bone or no surrounding tooth.

Does insurance cover dental implants?

Some insurance policies list dental implants as cosmetic procedures, which can limit your coverage options. There are, however, cases when dental insurance picks up a portion of your procedure, like the post and abutment placement, which can cover 45% of the total cost. So, in short: it primarily depends on your plan.

At what age are dental implants not recommended?

Technically the answer is no. Many people who are in their 60s, 70s, 80s, and even 90s have gotten dental implants and experienced excellent treatment results. Since people are more likely to be missing teeth later in life, dental implants are often an excellent and common solution for fixed bridges and dentures.

Why not replace teeth with implants?

If you regularly or subconsciously grind teeth, have uncontrolled diabetes, gum disease or jaw irradiation following a cancer diagnosis, these situations don't bode well for dental implants. Essentially, these conditions must first be dealt with or controlled to ensure the best possible outcome for implant restoration.

What hurts more, tooth extraction or implant?

While extractions are generally less painful and have a shorter recovery period, implants can involve more discomfort due to their surgical nature. However, with proper care and the right pain management strategies, both procedures can be managed effectively.

Are dental implants expensive?

First, every case is unique. In general, however, single dental implants cost $1,500 to $2,000 per implant. Not per procedure—but per implant. Some patients are only going to need a single implant, whereas others will need several because they're missing multiple teeth.

What is the pain scale for dental implants?

Pain scale during dental implant surgery

Using a scale of 1-10, with 1 representing minimal discomfort and 10 representing excruciating pain.

Do people regret dental implants?

Do People Regret Implants? Dental implants boast a high satisfaction rate among patients. However, as with any medical procedure, there can be instances of regret, often due to: Unrealistic Expectations: It's crucial to have realistic expectations about the procedure, recovery time, and outcomes.

How painful is the implant screw?

The procedure is painless, but as the anesthesia wears off, you'll experience discomfort that lasts up to three days. Pain that extends for a week and intensifies over time should prompt you to see your oral surgeon. At Smile on Citrus, we offer dental implant placement.

Which is worse, a bone graft or an implant?

A bone graft is likely to cause slightly more irritation compared to an implant based on the location of the bone grafting therapy. If, for instance, a sinus lift is to be performed within the upper jaw, it usually takes longer for the area of the bone graft to heal than the dental implant does.

What is a negative about dental implants?

If there is a problem with the location or angle of the implant, it can lead to complications. The implant may not fuse with the bone properly, may be too close to adjacent teeth and cause discomfort, or may become loose or painful. If this happens, you may need to have the implant removed or replaced.

When is it too late to get dental implants?

All in all, there is no age limit for getting a dental implant, as many people believe. However, it would be in your best interest to get an implant as soon as possible if you're missing a tooth.

Do you have no teeth while waiting for implants?

You don't have to go without teeth before getting dental implants. Temporary teeth provide a solution to avoid the discomfort of a noticeable gap in your smile during the waiting period for your permanent implant.

How do you get dental implants when you can't afford it?

To help patients with and without insurance, most dentists will offer in-house financing for dental implants. All you have to do is ask. You can also cover the cost of dental implants with 3rd party, no-interest financing companies like Lending Club and Care Credit.

How long does it take to recover from dental implants?

After 2 weeks, most patients are fully recovered. The implant site may feel slightly tender to the touch, but should feel completely healed and normal. The implant will continue to heal and bond with the jaw bone over the following 3-6 months, but the initial healing process will be over.

What is the cheapest state to get dental implants?

Low Cost Dental Implants in the US States (USD)

Puerto Rico suffices when it comes to the cheapest place to get dental implants in the US.

How much does most dental insurance pay for implants?

Many plans will cover them if you need them due to an accident, but not if the reason is cosmetic. If your plan does cover your implants, it will typically only cover a percentage of the costs, often 25% to 50%. And you may need to wait six months, a year, or more to get the highest amount of coverage.

How to fix missing teeth without implants?

Dental bridges, partial dentures, and resin-bonded bridges have proved effective ways of restoring missing teeth in both function and appearance. Proper oral hygiene and care, as instructed by your dentist, will go a long way in ensuring the longevity of whatever restoration you decide upon.

How much do snap-in denture implants cost?

Snap-on dentures cost between $10,000 – $17,000. A full mouth of Snap-on denture implants costs between $25,000 – $35,000 on the average. The costs includes dental sedation, removing any remaining teeth, temporary teeth (to be worn during healing), implants and the Snap-on dentures.