How Painful Is Getting a Dental Implant?

If you have missing teeth, you know they aren’t going to replace themselves. It’s up to you to take the next big step and discuss tooth replacement possibilities, like dental implants, with our Washington, MI, dentist. However, undergoing any dental treatment that involves oral surgery can seem scary, not to mention painful.

Here’s the reality of the dental implant procedure and why it’s well worth the effort. 

Navigating Patient Fears

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, Dr. Lesinski is no stranger to overly nervous or anxious patients. To make sure you feel confident about moving forward with dental implants, he’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 our Washington dental office, we will never pressure you to pursue anything you don’t want to do. Our dentist and staff are here to serve you and help you choose the right restoration needed for your smile.

The Reality of the 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 surgery. Dr. Lesinski will have administered 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. 

Who Does & Doesn’t Qualify

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. 

Patients interested in dental implants will also 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

Dr. Lesinski 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

Make the Investment in Your Smile

When you’re ready, our dental implant dentist in Washington, MI, is here to help you get started with tooth restoration. Our in-office technology and years of expertise combine to ensure you have a comfortable experience from start to finish. Call Washington Family Dental today at (586) 752-4545 or contact us online to schedule an appointment.