Dental implants from your Bakersfield dentist are often considered the best way to replace missing teeth. These permanent tooth replacement options are durable, comfortable, and can make it easier to smile and eat with confidence again. However, reading about the procedure can cause some worry and you may find yourself wondering if getting a dental implant hurts. We’re here to help.
What’s a Dental Implant?
Dental implants are surgically placed medical devices designed to replace not only a missing tooth but also the tooth’s roots. They’re permanent solutions when someone loses an adult tooth. There are also various types of dental implants including:
- Single-tooth implants to replace one missing tooth
- Implant-supported bridge to replace several missing teeth
- Implant-retained denture to replace an entire set of missing teeth
Talking with your dentist in Bakersfield can help you determine the best way to replace missing teeth.
What’s Involved in Getting a Dental Implant?
Since getting a dental implant of any kind is a surgical procedure, it’s only natural to want to know what’s involved before you commit. Getting a dental implant is a multi-step process, but many patients say it’s always well worth it.
- Prep – The first step to any implant procedure is prepping the site. This can include extracting any damaged teeth or even performing a bone graft to make sure there’s enough bone mass to secure the implant in place.
- Place – Under local or general anesthesia, the dental implant post will be placed into the jaw bone. This metal post will act as your tooth’s root, securing the permanent tooth in place.
- Healing – The dental implant post will need to heal and fuse to the jaw bone in order to create a solid base. This process can take a few months to complete.
- Abutment – Once the implant post has healed and is secured in place, your dentist in Bakersfield will place an abutment, or essentially a base for the tooth to sit on.
- Crown – The final step of getting a dental implant is the placing of the crown or the white part that you can see. These crowns are custom designed and created to fit your individual needs.
Does All of This Hurt?
We understand that the dental implant procedure can sound scary and painful, however, many patients report mild to moderate pain after getting an implant placed. This discomfort is often well managed by following your dentist’s post-operative instructions and should resolve in 10-14 days. If you experience pain after 14 days, you should contact your dentist so they can make sure everything is healing properly.
Choosing to get a dental implant can be life-changing, and it’s a decision you should make with your dentist in Bakersfield. Not everyone is a candidate for a dental implant, so make sure to talk with your dentist about your concerns and goals so you can jointly decide on the best treatment for you.
