Dental implant surgery is a popular, relatively safe operation. However, just like any other surgery, there is always the possibility of problems. Throbbing discomfort is a typical side effect of dental implant surgery.
If you are suffering throbbing pain following a dental implant, you should seek medical assistance immediately. Early detection and treatment of any issues can assist to reduce discomfort and ensure the success of your dental implant.
What Causes Throbbing Pain After a Dental Implant?
It is ok to experience some little dental implant pain after the procedure, especially when the anesthesia wears off. Bleeding is also frequent within the first 24-48 hours after surgery. Follow your dentist's post-operative recommendations to ensure that your mouth recovers properly.
If you're thinking about getting dental implants, you might be wondering how long it will take for the soreness to go away. Your mouth should feel normal again within 1-2 weeks of implant placement, but if you are still feeling discomfort after two weeks, there may be a problem.
There are various possible causes of throbbing discomfort following dental implant surgery:
Overloading the Implant
Overloading dental implants with force can cause them to fail. This can happen if the dental implant is used to support an excessively big dental prosthesis or if the patient chews too hard on the implant.
Overloading dental implants can cause them to become loose in the jawbone and possibly fall out. Overloading dental implants can also cause the bone around them to atrophy or shrink. This can cause pain in the jaw and adjacent tissues.
Incision Re-opening
Incision re-opening is a typical complication of dental implant surgery. Dissolvable sutures are typically used to seal the incision and disintegrate over several weeks. However, the incision may reopen before the sutures are fully dissolved.
This can cause intense pain and bleeding, making it difficult to eat or speak. If the incision reopens, you must see your dentist as soon as possible. They will clean the wound before closing it with non-dissolvable sutures.
Bite Misalignment
When a dental implant is not placed properly, the teeth may misalign, exerting pressure on the gum tissue and producing pain. Misaligned teeth can make chewing difficult and create TMJ issues. Jaw tightness is a common side effect of dental implant surgery that goes away with time.
Infection
Dental implants can sometimes trigger infections, resulting in searing discomfort. The most prevalent cause of infection is peri-implantitis, which occurs when the gums and bone around a dental implant become inflamed.
One of the most common causes of peri-implantitis is implant overload. This can develop for a variety of causes, including dental implants that are close together, residual cement on dental implants, smoking, diabetes, and poor oral hygiene. Antibiotics are the most common treatment, although, in extreme situations, dental implants may have to be removed.
Other Causes of Dental Implant Pain
While infection is the most prevalent cause of dental implant pain, there are other possible factors to consider:
- Implant failure can occur when the implant does not adequately merge with the jawbone or when the surrounding tissues are insufficiently strong to support the implant.
- Nerve injury can happen if the implant impact site is too close to a nerve.
- Although rare, an untreated metal allergy might impede good recovery owing to implant rejection.
How to Manage Dental Implant Pain?
Here are some things you can do at home to relieve dental implant pain:
Apply an Ice Pack
An ice pack can help relieve discomfort and swelling following dental implant surgery. Ice packs can assist in relieving inflammation and pain. To use an ice pack, wrap it in a towel and place it on the affected area for 15-20 minutes.
Use OTC Medications
If you are in pain, over-the-counter pain relievers can assist. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil) efficiently relieve pain and inflammation. To relieve inflammation, take 400-600mg of Motrin® or Advil® every 6-8 hours, or 1-2 normal Tylenol® pills.
Eat Soft Foods
Avoid putting too much strain on your dental implants. Soft foods can help relieve strain on the implants and lessen pain.
Blended soups, flaky fish, mashed potatoes, and yogurt are all excellent options. Avoid hard or crunchy foods since they can exert pressure on the implant, perhaps dislodging it and creating pain.
When to Visit Your Dentist for Dental Implant Pain
If you are experiencing pain from your dental implants, you should see your dentist right away. While some discomfort is expected after implant surgery, significant pain may signal that the implant is malfunctioning or that an infection has occurred. Other symptoms to be aware of include gum redness, swelling, and discharge.
