Pain around a tooth or multiple teeth, even if it is a dental implant, is not normal. Dental implant pain should never be ignored, especially if you have had your implants for months or years. If you are experiencing pain, it is a sign that something is wrong and you should seek timely care. Without having a professional evaluate your implants and oral health, you run the risk of implant failure and/or more serious complications to your systemic health. Read on to find out what your dental implant pain might be telling you!
Pain Immediately After Surgery
This is one of the few times that dental implant pain is somewhat acceptable. To receive dental implants, advanced surgery is performed and it is natural for patients to experience some discomfort after the procedure. In most cases, your doctor will prescribe you pain medication to help cope with this discomfort, but some patients still feel sore. Your body will heal over the next few weeks and eventually this pain will decrease.
However, if you experience unbearable pain or constant bleeding after surgery, this is a more serious concern and your doctor should be contacted. If this is the case, the implant may not have integrated with the jaw bone properly and will need to be removed and replaced.
Bleeding Around the Dental Implant
Dental implants should not cause bleeding as all parts of the jaw integrate naturally with the materials. However, if you are experiencing profuse bleeding around an implant it may be because the gum tissue has not fully healed or the implant is irritating the soft tissues. Once your implant is ideally placed and the body accepts it as a part of itself, there should be no bleeding at all. Profuse and excessive bleeding, should have professional attention to solve the problem as soon as possible.
Swelling, Pain, or Pus Around the Dental Implant
Your dental implants will blend in with your smile and oral structures naturally, so your mouth should feel and look natural. If you are experiencing pain, swelling, or noticing pus developing in your mouth or around the implant, it may be caused by peri-implantitis.
This condition is similar to gum disease but affects a dental implant. Without proper treatment of peri-implantitis, you run the risk of implant failure and the spread of infection to other parts of the mouth or body. This condition can even affect other areas of the body and has been linked to heart disease, dementia, and more! Seeking treatment right away can save both your implant investment and overall health.
Get Help if You Notice Discomfort!
Don’t wait around if you experience dental implant pain! Reach out to your local dentists, Dr. Edward Halusic and Dr. Christian Moore, in our office in Monroeville, PA and set up a consultation today!