Does it hurt to get dental implants? Feelings during the procedure

The process of dental implantation is associated with a surgical intervention in the human body, during which an implant (a titanium pin simulating a tooth root) is installed in the jawbone, and then a crown is fixed to it.

Although implantation is not new as an effective and safe way to restore lost teeth using artificial roots, some people still consider it a painful procedure and prefer classic prosthetic solutions. Is dental implantation really painful? Let's try to understand this issue.

Dental implantation - does it hurt?

Is it painful or not to insert a dental implant? Many patients are interested. The answer is no, since the operation is performed under anesthesia. Types of anesthesia used in dentistry:

1. Local - an injection is given, after which the sensitivity of the area disappears for the duration of the operation. The gums are “frozen”, and the bone tissues are not susceptible to pain.
2. Anxiolysis is minimal sedation with a calming effect, the patient ceases to be afraid of the procedure.
3. Moderate sedation - the patient is completely relaxed, but still conscious.
4. Oversedation is a state of half-asleep.
5. General anesthesia is rarely used. Indications: gag reflex, allergies to local anesthesia, mental disorders. Performed during extensive operations - bone grafting, installation of more than 10 implants.

In our Center, we offer the patient light sedation; the patient in this state does not feel pain, does not worry, and calmly responds to the doctor’s requests.

Does it hurt to get dental implants?

Contrary to popular belief, dental implants do not hurt. The fact is that this procedure is carried out using modern local anesthetics, and for the most sensitive patients the use of sedatives and even general anesthesia is provided:

• Local anesthesia
  . The easiest way to eliminate painful sensations. During the implantation process, the drugs ultracaine, articaine or melavacaine are used - they perfectly block nerve endings, and the analgesic effect can last for 2 hours after the procedure. Anesthetic injections are made directly into the operated area (infiltration and conduction anesthesia) or into the base of the skull to block the trigeminal nerve (trunk anesthesia). If the drug is selected correctly and the required dose, the patient does not experience pain, but feels all the manipulations performed by the doctor. It is for this reason that local anesthesia when installing implants is supplemented by the use of sedatives for patients who are particularly sensitive and fearful of dental intervention.

Sedative effect - reduction of irritability, relief from feelings of excitement or fear due to the use of special drugs - psycholeptics. Sedatives are not anesthetics, so during the installation of dental implants they are used exclusively in combination with local anesthetics.

• Minimal (superficial) sedation (anxiolysis)
  . It is used in patients who experience anxiety during complex dental procedures - as a result, anxiety and fear go away, the patient is conscious (a feeling of slight drowsiness is possible), and follows all the doctor’s commands.
• Moderate sedation
  . If the patient is afraid of any medical intervention, it is possible to use moderate sedation - in this case, a little more sedative is used, as a result of which the patient remains conscious, can respond to the doctor’s commands, but is half asleep.
• Oversedation
  . It is also called deep sedation - increasing the dose of sedative puts the patient to sleep, while there is a reaction (sometimes with a slight delay) to a loud call or other external stimuli. In this state, the patient does not feel anything (provided that a local anesthetic is used), and he has virtually no memories of the installation of dental implants. Awakening occurs within 15 minutes after stopping the supply of the sedative drug (can be performed either intravenously or inhalation, using a mask).

The patient's condition under deep sedation and general anesthesia is similar. The only difference is that oversedation does not imply an anesthetic effect - pain sensations persist, and the patient remembers them, which can cause panic fear of dental treatment in the future.

• General anesthesia
  . This anesthesia technique is used in patients with allergies to any types of local anesthetics, with an increased gag reflex, in people who experience panic fear of dental treatment (dental phobia), in children. In addition, the dentist will recommend general anesthesia if during the operation it is planned to install more than 6-10 dental implants in combination with bone grafting. Consciousness is completely switched off, there is no reaction to any external stimuli, pain is not felt, any muscle activity is excluded, respiratory function is maintained using a ventilator. The use of general anesthesia requires the presence of an experienced anesthesiologist during dental implantation. Awakening occurs 20 minutes after the administration of the anesthetic, but it is advisable to remain under medical supervision for at least 40 minutes.

In the process of choosing a specific type of anesthesia, the doctor is guided by the following factors:

• Patient's pain threshold (people with a low pain threshold most often require deep sedation or general anesthesia).
• Experienced fear or anxiety during dental operations.
• The presence of allergic reactions to certain types of anesthetics and sedatives.
• Vomiting reflex. In many patients, it manifests itself while dental instruments are in the oral cavity. A strong gag reflex can become a serious obstacle to the quality work of a doctor.
• The complexity of the upcoming operation.

The answer to the question of whether it is painful to place a dental implant directly depends on the correctly selected type of anesthesia - if suitable drugs were used during the operation, the patient will not experience any discomfort.

Before the procedure, the doctor conducts a thorough examination of the oral cavity, studies the patient’s medical history and X-rays, based on which he draws up a preliminary operation plan (single-stage, one-stage, two-stage) and selects the appropriate method of pain relief.

Reviews about dental implantation

Innocent

“At the beginning, I doubted for a long time whether I should undergo implantation. But still, one fine day I went and did it. You know, I didn't regret it. Yes, it was unpleasant in places and there were these restrictions, but the result outweighs all the disadvantages.”

Lena

“A couple of days ago my teeth were restored and 2 implants were inserted. I couldn't be happier with them! I finally have a full smile! One thing that was upsetting at first was the pain during and after the operation, and also the fact that I had a swollen cheek for two days.”

Svetlana

“I’ll tell you straight, it was scary. Before the operation itself, I was tormented by questions: will it hurt me, how much will it hurt, will there be any problems when they install new teeth for me, is this dental implant reliable, will it not fall out, what if I look worse with it, etc. In the end, I didn’t remember the procedure itself - they gave me an injection, fell asleep, and woke up with new teeth, like in a fairy tale. I was happy. The doctor said something and prescribed it, but I had no time for it. Then I realized that I should have listened, but it worked out too - I got sick for a couple of days and stopped. Yes, and for the sake of such beauty one can endure”

How to install implants

Anesthesia is performed only during surgical interventions. Prosthetics is a painless procedure. The implantation process consists of several stages:

• First surgical – implant installation

  The procedure begins with anesthesia. The patient is injected with an anesthetic into the area where the artificial root is installed. If the operation is performed under sedation, the anesthesiologist will first administer a sedative intravenously. The gum is peeled off, and a bed for an artificial root is created in the bone using special instruments. The implant is inserted into the prepared hole, a plug is fixed on top, and the tissue is sutured. The operation lasts 15-30 minutes. The anesthesiologist brings the patient out of a half-asleep state, after 20-30 minutes the patient can move independently, even drive a car. The next appointment is scheduled in 10 days to remove the stitches. The implant takes 2-4 months to take root in the lower jaw and up to six months in the upper jaw.

• The second surgical stage is the installation of a gum former

  After engraftment with the jaw bone, the implant is opened, the plug is removed, and a former is inserted. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and lasts no more than 10 minutes. The former is installed for 10-14 days to create an even gingival contour.

• Prosthetics

  This stage is completely painless, because... no tissue incisions are required. The former is replaced by an abutment that connects the implant and the prosthesis. A crown is installed on it, made from previously taken impressions.

Complication after surgery

Even the most experienced dentist cannot guarantee you a complete absence of complications after dental implant surgery.

We will talk about the most common of them, and also give some tips for their treatment.

Pain

Pain after the anesthetic wears off is absolutely normal. Violation of the integrity of the gum tissue simply cannot be completely painless, and discomfort for 2-3 days after surgery is quite acceptable.

Depending on the patient's pain threshold, these sensations can range from slightly unpleasant to very strong. It is best to discuss pain relief options with your doctor (anti-inflammatory powders such as Nimessil, painkillers Aertal, Ketanov, etc.), and if you have unbearable pain, you must definitely go to the clinic - there may be severe inflammation, serious swelling or damage to the nerves. endings.

Swelling and inflammation

After a foreign body (dental implant) is implanted into the bone tissue, the body regards it as a danger and provides protection by accumulating fluid in adjacent tissues - this is how swelling is formed. This process begins within a few hours after surgery and lasts 5-7 days.

To relieve swelling from the gums (and sometimes the cheek also swells), it is recommended to apply ice. If the swelling does not go away for more than a week, the pain does not subside, blue discoloration or suppuration is observed in the area where the implant was implanted, the body temperature remains at 37-38 for more than a week, an inflammatory process may be occurring. It can also occur as a result of poor oral hygiene. If it is not corrected in time, the implanted tooth may be completely rejected by the body.

Bleeding

The place where the implant was screwed in may bleed for several days - during the deformation of the gum tissue, the blood vessels are inevitably damaged. It is important to correctly assess the strength of the bleeding - if it does not stop for more than a week, while the spotting is constantly increasing, hematomas form around the operated area, we can talk about serious damage to the capillary network.

For patients with poor blood clotting, the doctor will recommend hemostatic drugs.

Seam divergence

During the process of dental implantation, suturing is almost inevitable - it is performed after bone grafting, after screwing in the implant, after installing the gum former. Since it is impossible to ensure complete isolation of the operated area (the patient needs to eat, drink, talk, and perform daily hygienic procedures), it is important to carefully monitor the condition of the sutures: if they become separated, you should immediately consult a doctor - there may be mechanical damage (in this case In this case, the dentist will repair the sutures) or the inflammatory process (serious treatment may be required).

Temperature increase

Within 2-3 days after dental implantation, body temperature can remain at 37-37.5 degrees. If the thermometer shows 38 or higher for 4 or more days, the gums at the site where the pin is implanted fester, there is severe swelling and unbearable pain - this is already a cause for concern. In this case, we can talk about inflammation and the risk of subsequent implant rejection. Immediately go to the clinic - the dentist will take all necessary measures to eliminate the resulting pathology.

Numbness

Complete loss of sensitivity can be observed within several hours after implantation of a dental implant - this is due to the action of the anesthetic. In addition, in case of severe swelling, the fluid accumulated in the implant area puts pressure on the nerve endings, causing long-term numbness, which disappears after the swelling subsides.

Often there is damage to the neurovascular bundle (located in the lower jaw) during surgery - in this case, sensitivity will not return soon.

Implant rejection

This complication is quite rare - according to statistics, only 1% of all installed implants are rejected.

Reasons for rejection:

• Infection (untreated oral diseases, poor hygiene);
• Bone deficiency;
• Smoking immediately after the implantation procedure;
• Allergy to titanium;
• Carrying out implantation during periods of exacerbation of chronic diseases.

It is not difficult to detect implant rejection - the pin is mobile, there is severe pain and suppuration. If the diagnosis is confirmed, the dentist removes the pin, performs an antiseptic treatment and prescribes a complex of vitamins and minerals to restore the gums. Re-screwing the implant is possible after 1-3 months (depending on the condition of the patient’s tissues).

If any complications arise, you should not self-medicate or follow the advice of traditional medicine: you must immediately consult a doctor - timely medical assistance will help avoid serious problems such as inflammation and implant rejection.

The doctor’s opinion is that the operation itself is completely painless

Before installing a dental implant, patients often worry about the procedure and how they feel in the dentist’s chair. But there is no discomfort at all; the patient can only feel slight pressure or vibration. If we compare the procedure with tooth extraction, the latter feels much more unpleasant. For anxious patients, you can take a course of premedication before surgery.

Levin Dmitry Valerievich

Chief physician, Ph.D.

What types of dentures are there?

Removable and non-removable. Removable prosthetics can be complete (the entire dentition is inserted) or incomplete (some teeth are inserted). Removable dentures stay in the mouth due to adhesion - sticking. Complete removable dentures are used when a person has no teeth left.

Fixed dentures are single crowns and bridges (representing a row of teeth), which, as the name implies, cannot be removed at all. Bridges are attached to the remaining natural teeth, using implants. The best material for metal-based false teeth is zirconium dioxide-based metal ceramics. It is whiter than other alloys and is less likely to cause allergies. There are also pressed porcelain crowns that do not have a metal frame - they will be completely white.

How long does pain last after implantation?

Getting a dental implant does not hurt. But after the end of the anesthesia, discomfort will be felt; this is a normal reaction to the intervention. On average, it lasts 1-3 days, the intensity and duration depends on the volume of the operation and the number of artificial roots installed. The nature of the pain can be sharp, diffuse, shooting, pressing, aching or cutting. Other body reactions are within normal limits:

• itching;
• edema;
• compression of tissues and muscles.

Patient reviews

I have no fear of dentists, so the local anesthesia took place without the use of sedatives. The dentist gave the Ultracaine injection correctly, so after 10 seconds I informed him about the onset of numbness. I didn’t feel any pain, but during the procedure I felt the cold of the suction tube and any movements of the instruments. There was discomfort when the hole for the dental implant was made. But I didn’t feel anything when the tissues were deformed.

Valery, 27 years old, Ekaterinburg

After studying the x-ray, the dentist said that bone grafting was indispensable. I agreed to undergo additional surgery. They injected an anesthetic, so I didn’t feel any pain during the procedure. The dentist prescribed painkillers in tablets and told me to take them for at least 5 days. I didn’t take the pills lightly so that their effects wouldn’t affect the liver. As a result, as soon as the numbness completely passed, severe pain began. I didn’t last 10 minutes - I drank the drug. I warn others, follow the recommendations of doctors.

Elena, 32 years old, Ufa

In addition to my fear of dentists, I am allergic to Articaine.
Therefore, the procedure was performed under general anesthesia. The implantation went well, I did not feel anything before and after the operation. Some difficulties arose during prosthetics. When I was wearing a temporary crown, part of the gums in the operated area became swollen and pain and tingling began. The discomfort disappeared after 3 days of taking antibiotics. Svetlana, 48 years old, Kazan

What to do to reduce pain

Unpleasant sensations come only after the anesthetic wears off. To reduce them it is recommended:

• take medications against pain, swelling, inflammation;
• avoid physical activity;
• do not touch the wound with your tongue or other objects;
• avoid hot baths, steam baths, saunas;
• do not drink alcohol, limit smoking.

We give out the necessary medications after the operation in a special package; you do not have to buy anything at the pharmacy. Rules for taking medications and other recommendations are indicated in the Patient Instruction.

Recommendations after surgery

Most often, implant rejection occurs due to the patient’s fault (failure to follow the dentist’s recommendations, failure to go to the clinic in a timely manner in case of complications, self-medication).

In order for the implant to take root, you need to follow a number of simple recommendations:

• Do not eat for 2 hours;
• During the entire healing period, do not eat spicy or too hard foods, avoid cold or hot foods;
• You can only chew on the side of the jaw opposite the sutures (to avoid their divergence);
• Take anti-inflammatory and painkillers recommended by your doctor, do antiseptic baths and rinses.
• Daily regular oral hygiene (brushing and paste, rinsing, flossing, etc.);
• If swelling occurs, apply ice to the cheek;
• Avoid any types of serious physical activity, avoid overwork;
• Smoking and drinking alcohol are ideally allowed only 1-2 weeks after surgery;
• Avoid active articulation, sneeze and cough very carefully;
• Add as many vitamins, minerals and nutrients to your diet as possible.

If these simple recommendations are followed, implant rejection, as well as the occurrence of any other serious complications, are excluded.

To avoid problems during implantation surgery, as well as in the postoperative period, you should give preference to trusted clinics and experienced, highly qualified specialists.

How long does it take for a wound to heal?

After surgery, the wound remains sensitive for 1-3 days. She needs special care for the next 2-3 weeks:

• upon returning home, apply ice or a cold compress to the intervention area;
• During the first hours you should not lie down, otherwise swelling may occur; it is better to sit or take a walk;
• You can only drink water at room temperature;
• Before the stitches are removed, you cannot eat flour, sticky foods, sweets, yoghurts; light soups, purees, and soft cutlets are allowed;
• in the first days, strong tea, coffee, and highly carbonated drinks are prohibited;
• You can chew only with the healthy side, rinse your mouth with warm water after each meal;
• one day after the operation, you can brush the adjacent teeth with a soft brush, but not with an electric brush or an irrigator.

Indications and contraindications for implantation

You can resort to implantation in case of partial or complete loss of teeth. This operation helps restore the dentition after the loss of one or more teeth, and also solves the problem of edentia.

However, the use of implantation methods is not always possible - the procedure has a number of contraindications:

Absolute

• Severe diseases of the cardiovascular, nervous, endocrine, respiratory systems (diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, tuberculosis, oncology, poor blood clotting, mental disorders, etc.).
• Recent chemotherapy or organ transplantation – during this period there is a disruption in the body’s restorative functions, which can lead to rapid implant rejection.
• Allergy to any type of anesthetic - the operation itself is very painful and cannot be performed without pain relief.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Relative

• Any diseases of the oral cavity (they must be eliminated before installing implants);
• Insufficient hygiene (before installing implants, it is necessary to remove tartar and plaque);
• Malocclusion (corrected with braces);
• Bone atrophy (corrected through bone grafting);
• Vitamin deficiency, exhaustion of the body, stress (implantation is acceptable after complete recovery);
• Smoking more than 1 pack of cigarettes per day - after surgery this leads to implant rejection (before implantation it is necessary to get rid of the bad habit or reduce the number of “consumed” cigarettes as much as possible);

The dentist will also recommend avoiding extreme and traumatic sports to reduce the risk of mechanical damage to the implant.

As for age restrictions, there are none (with the exception, of course, of childhood and adolescence) - the possibility of implantation is determined not by the biological age of the patient, but by his general condition (often older people tolerate the procedure much easier than younger patients).

In any case, the possibility of performing an implantation operation is determined by the doctor.

If the pain in the implant area does not go away for a long time

Pain may be felt for up to 1-3 days, after which it is considered a deviation. Long-term discomfort is caused by impaired healing and microbial contamination. Signs of complications that do not stop for more than three days and are progressive:

• edema;
• bloody issues;
• strong pain;
• bad feeling;
• elevated temperature.

You cannot take anything on your own; you need to contact the doctor who performed the operation for help.

We want to reassure patients who are afraid to undergo implantation - this is a painless operation with a predictable successful result. Complex tooth extraction can be much more traumatic. If you follow the doctor's recommendations, there are no consequences. Even if all stages were successful, we schedule preventive examinations 2 times a year. This will help identify possible problems at an early stage and avoid complications.

Can implantation be dangerous to health?

Dental implantation is an absolutely safe procedure, much more atraumatic than wisdom tooth removal. By the way, the latter is much more serious than installing an implant in terms of complexity, number of complications and the difficulty of eliminating them. As with any other operation, various complications may arise after dental implantation, but all of them are compatible with life. The most unpleasant thing that can happen is, of course, implant rejection. Returning to the problem of pain associated with implantation, artificial dental roots are rejected almost imperceptibly for their owner - without pain or discomfort. However, if you seek help from a reputable dentist, the risk of such a complication or any other problem is reduced to zero.

If your doctor suggests you have a dental implant procedure and you're starting to wonder if it will hurt, don't be afraid to ask the doctor to talk about how the procedure will go. Understanding what you will be doing will help you get rid of groundless fears and overcome feelings of fear. Choose a specialist you can trust and a clinic where you will feel comfortable. With a professional approach to the patient from dental staff, fear and anxiety disappear completely in 100% of cases.

MYTH 4: Implantation takes a long time

Of course, dentistry has not yet learned how to grow new teeth instead of missing ones in one day, and treatment will take some time. As for the procedure itself, it takes less than an hour. From the initial consultation to the installation of the prosthesis, it can take 6-12 months, sometimes more. But this does not mean that you will need to go to the dentist every day all this year. Implantation takes place in several stages, each taking a minimum of time. The longest is the fusion of the implant with the bone (osseointegration). This process lasts about 3-6 months.

Put crowns on teeth: prices in Moscow

How much does it cost to put a crown on a tooth - the price in Moscow for 2021 (in economy-class and mid-price clinics) can have a very wide range. For example, you can easily see that in one clinic you can install a dental crown made of metal ceramics for 5,500 rubles, while in another the price can be 10,000 rubles. And it’s not just a matter of pricing...

The fact is that the same crowns (for example, metal-ceramic) can be made of materials of completely different quality. For example, if a cheap ceramic mass is used, then we can immediately say that the aesthetics of such a crown will be very poor. In addition, in addition to standard metal-ceramics, there is also “metal-ceramics with shoulder mass”, which is much more aesthetically pleasing than the standard version, but at the same time costs 2-2.5 times more.

Installing a crown on a tooth: price 2021

• metal ceramics - from 4,500 to 16,000 rubles.
• ceramics made of zirconium dioxide – from 14,500 to 20,000 rubles.
• from E.max ceramics – from 16,000 to 25,000 rubles.
• all-metal crowns – from 4500 rubles.

Important: if you are planning to install a crown on a tooth, the cost above does not include all possible expense items. Additionally, therapeutic preparation of teeth (if necessary) is paid, as well as the cost of making temporary crowns made of plastic. The latter are necessary to protect the ground teeth while your permanent crowns are being made.

MYTH 6: Implants are very expensive

The cost of implantation is more expensive than classical prosthetics, this is a fact. But if you consider in the long term, installing an implant will cost less than a traditional fixed bridge:

• The artificial root is implanted for life; only orthopedic structures are subject to replacement. The average service life of a classic metal-ceramic prosthesis supported by natural teeth is about 5-6 years, and supported by implants - 10-12 years.
• Manufacturers offer implantation systems in different price categories, among which it is easy to choose the optimal option in terms of quality and price.
• When replacing a classic prosthesis, retreatment of supporting units is often required, which increases the cost of reprosthetics.
• Since the main chewing load falls on the supporting teeth, the bone under the prosthesis begins to atrophy, the gums sag, which requires correction of the orthopedic system. This also affects the price.

Based on all of the above, implantation in the long term turns out to be more financially beneficial than traditional prosthetics.

What happens if you refuse dentures?

If you have no teeth, then you can get gastrointestinal diseases - it will be difficult for your stomach to digest poorly chewed food. The absence of teeth also affects the appearance - facial features change, cheeks “sag,” and more wrinkles appear. Healthy teeth also move to places where there is no tooth. Because of this, gaps appear between all teeth (especially often between the front teeth).

The most dangerous thing is inflammation of the maxillary joint, during which tissue begins to break down. It happens that even if one tooth is missing, crunching and inflammation appear. If several teeth are missing, the situation gets worse. Therefore, prosthetics are necessary.