The holiday season is coming up, and you’re dreading it. Not because you’re stressing about what presents to buy your family and friends, but because you know that people will inevitably want to take pictures. You wouldn’t have a problem with that if you weren’t missing one of your front teeth. You might
have heard about dental implants in Bellingham as an option to replace it, but you’re also a bit worried that the procedure will hurt. Does it? A dentist is here with the answer.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are tiny, screw-shaped titanium posts that are surgically placed underneath the gumline and directly into the jawbone. Because of this, they replace not only the visible crown of the tooth, but the root as well. This gives implants an advantage over other solutions to tooth loss in that implants stimulate the jawbone, promoting better oral health and preventing jawbone deterioration that comes with missing teeth.
You would think that placing an implant into the jawbone would hurt a lot, right? Let’s explore the answer to that question.
Are Dental Implants Painful?
In theory, the idea of getting dental implants sounds painful, but that’s not usually the case. Your dentist will use a mixture of local anesthetic and sedation to make sure your procedure is smooth and pain-free.
Most patients report minimal discomfort during the procedure. In fact, many patients claim that getting a tooth extracted is a lot more uncomfortable than getting an implant placed. Your dentist even says that a majority of patients don’t finish their prescribed pain medication after the implant surgery because they don’t even need it!
How Can You Maintain Your Dental Implants?
The great thing about dental implants, besides the procedure being relatively discomfort-free, is their longevity. They are designed to easily last for several decades, and possibly even the rest of your life if you take care of them. That can be done with some very easy steps:
- Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste, for two minutes at a time.
- Floss around your implant restoration at least once daily.
- Visit your dentist in Bellingham every six months for a professional cleaning and checkup to evaluate the state of your implants.
Ultimately, getting dental implants in Bellingham should not be very painful at all. You may experience some soreness, but other than that, the process should be relatively pain-free. And you’ll have a full, beautiful smile to boot!
About the Author
Dr. Ronald Moreno has been a practicing dentist in Bellingham since 1995 and is a graduate of Georgetown University’s dental school. He spent five years in the Army Dental Corp before opening his private practice. If you’re interested in replacing your missing teeth with dental implants, contact Dr. Moreno’s practice at (360) 676-0642.