If dental implants are on your radar, that’s totally because they are one of the most trusted and reliable tooth replacement solutions out there. They don’t just fix your smile, they also improve your life by restoring confidence, the functionality of your teeth and your self-esteem. That's not all – dental implants are also a permanent solution to filling in those gaps for good. 

Most of the time, however, there’s the fear factor in play. Despite the clear benefits implants offer, many patients come to us with worries about the pain and worries about the procedure. But, we get it! The words “implant surgery” don’t exactly make it sound like something nice, right? 

If we didn’t know any better, we’d be worried too. But dental implants aren’t as scary as they sound. That’s why we are here with this article to take you through what you can expect and also answer the burning question: do dental implants hurt?   

What Happens During the Dental Implant Process? 

Before we go into that, let’s first look at the dental implant process. 

If you are considering dental implants to restore missing teeth, you should understand that they aren’t a quick fix. From start to finish, the entire process involves a few major steps and can take several months. 

Here’s a quick step-by-step look at how the dental implant procedure works. 

1. Consultation: First things first, you’ll have a 40-minute consultation with our dentist for a comprehensive assessment. We will also take scans using advanced digital imaging to plan your implant placement before creating a personalised treatment plan. 

2. Implant Placement: When it’s time for your implant surgery, our dentist will begin by numbing the area with local anaesthesia. This step is to ensure you will feel comfortable, relaxed and pain-free. We will then make a small incision in your gums to expose the jawbone. Then, we will carefully drill a small hole into the jawbone and insert the implant into it before closing the incision. 

3. Healing and Osseointegration: Over the next few months, the implant post will fuse with the implant in a process called osseointegration. A healing abutment or a temporary crown will be placed over the implant during this healing period. 

4. Abutment Placement: After the implant has fully fused with the bone, we will place the abutment (a small yet very important connector piece) on your implant to support the prosthetic. 

5. Crown Placement: We will take impressions of your mouth and create a custom-made dental prosthetic that blends seamlessly with your natural teeth. Now, comes to exciting part and the final touches – we will place the prosthetic tooth on the abutment, completing your smile!

6. Follow-Up: We will schedule follow-up appointments to check on healing and to make sure everything’s in top shape. 

Getting dental implants is a bit of a journey, and may take several months depending on your case. However, with each step, you will be moving closer to a gap free smile that looks, feels and functions just like your natural teeth. Trust us when we say it will be totally worth it in the end when you see that beautiful and improved smile. 

Want to learn more about the process? Read our Complete Guide to Dental Implants: What to Expect Before, During and After

Does the Dental Implant Procedure Hurt? 

While you do have an idea about what the implant process involves, we understand that you may be feeling a little apprehensive about aspects like making incisions and drilling a hole into your jawbone don’t sound fun! 

Here’s the truth though – yes, the dental implant procedure involves making incisions and drilling your jawbone to surgically insert your implant. But, you won’t be experiencing pain during the procedure itself because of the local anaesthesia we administer before the procedure begins. 

Plus, our dentists are highly experienced, trained and skilled in implant placement so much so they’ve mastered the art of precise and gentle implant placement. What you might feel during the procedure is some pressure as our dentist inserts the implant post. 

After the numbing wears off, you may experience mild pain and swelling. However, there is no need to worry because this is common. And for many, over-the-counter pain relief does the trick. 

See, it’s not as intense as it sounds! 

Are There Any Risks Involved with Dental Implants? 

Dental implants have a solid track record for success. With a 95% success rate, there are only a few potential risks associated with this procedure. The good news is that these risks are rare, and even when they do happen, they’re typically manageable with proper dental care. 

Here’s a quick rundown of the risks associated with dental implants: 

1. Infection: Dental implants are great but there’s always a risk of infection, especially if you don’t follow our post-op care instructions to keep your implant site clean. 

2. Peri-Implantitis: This is an inflammatory condition where the soft tissue around your implant becomes infected and breaks down. Left untreated, peri-implantitis can lead to implant failure. 

3. Implant Failure: Factors such as smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, peri-implantitis, poor implant maintenance and poor implant placement can affect the osseointegration process, eventually leading to implant failure. 

4. Nerve Damage: If your dental implants are placed carefully and correctly, it can cause nerve damage because the nerves in your mouth are located close to the surface of your jawbone.

Signs of post-implant complications include: 

• Discomfort or pain that doesn’t fade away after a few days or weeks.

• Pain or difficulty when chewing. 

• Swollen and inflamed gums.

• A loose implant. 

If you do experience any of these symptoms, a visit to the dentist should be your priority. Our dentist will assess your situation and 

However, most of the time these complications are easily preventable if you follow the post-op care instructions we provide. At the same time, choosing the right implant dentist can also make all the difference. 

Our experienced dentists at Brisbane Implants are highly trained and skilled in dental implant procedures. From precise placement mapping to accurate and safe implant placement and positioning, our dentists have helped hundreds of patients and have a 98% patient satisfaction rate. In addition, we’ve also invested in the latest technology while keeping up to date with the latest advancements in the field to ensure you leave our clinic with a wide grin on your face. 

If you have any further questions about the process, pain levels or post-operative care, don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team at Brisbane Implants.