For anyone who has a dental implant...

[opalescent]

I’m having two single dental implants placed next week. Can anyone share their experience of pain and recovery following implant placement?

Also, anything I should stock up on?!

Thank you ☺️

I really don't remember anything bad at all. Having the initial tooth pulled was horrible for me (I am a complete wuss when it comes to teeth) and I was miserable and sorry for myself for days but the implant was absolutely fine for me. I was lucky to have a chunky strong jaw bone that didn't require any 'cement' but the implant was no trouble. Must have taken paracetamol but apart from that nothing extra. maybe get yourself a cold compress just because they are nice anyway?

Similar to above. The initial tooth removal ( molar, which had split in half) was the worst bit and took a couple of weeks of yogurt-eating to recover.

I had a bone graft ready for the implant, so there was more waiting time for it to "embed".

The implant bits, both the temporary and the permanent were an absolute doddle.

And 15 years later I still love it. No problems with it at all.

I don't remember it being particularly painful. Think I had around 5 appointments. I hated the denture I had to wear (honestly it was terrible, that upset me but wasn't uncomfortable/painful). Mine was to replace a crown; I had mine done a couple of years ago and no issues since.

This is reassuring, thank you all 👍🏻

I have a mouth guard for my upper teeth which I wear at night to protect my expensive work from tooth grinding.

I have two implants coming up to 16 years old. Post surgery you just need to stay on soft foods, mashed potato’s, soups etc as you shouldn’t bit down on the surface. I was bruised but really nothing major. Each day will become easier.

I have one. Very little discomfort at all. Much much better than I thought it was going to be, I was terrified!

Yes it's really no bother at all. I hated the root canal treatment to try and save my molar and when this failed I really hated having my tooth pulled then worrying about the possibility of dry socket. However getting the implant itself was painless and much less traumatic than I thought it would be. I found it to be really straightforward and painless. No problems in the 2 years since I had it fitted.

I have had the same and in my experience my pain was bloody awful. I am told this is rare.

I had MIL staying with us just before my appointment and I felt too stressed to eat anything before my appointment which was a big mistake.

Try and eat something even if only a light snack beforehand, stock up on painkillers and nice soft foods (especially ice-cream and soup). The excruciating pain was only really bad for a few hours. I was ok the next day but felt a bit shell shocked thankfully DH took MIL back home so I had a quiet easy restful day.

Mine is complete now and I am happy with it but flossing is strange as I have to floss over the top of it. I am pleased I had it done but apart from the cost I have another gap at the nearer the back on the other of my mouth but I couldn’t stand the pain. I have also had more headaches than I have had in my life since getting implant (not sure if connected).

I don’t know if they hit a nerve or something and mine cost a small fortune in the UK but also had a trainee doing part of it under supervision.

the implant was put into a spot where i had had a tooth missing for decades, the bone structure was still healthy.
i had a light anesthetic for the screw placement, there were 2 sutures following.
the screw was not sticking out in any way it was up by the gum line and didn't interfere with eating as much as i expected. i don't remember any discomfort.
i rinsed and brushed as suggested. the sutures fell out on their own.
i then had a 1 month check up and a six month check up around the 9 month mark i went for a molding appointment where based on the side teeth and bottom teeth a perfectly fitting implant could be made.
on the day the implant was fitted i still didn't really understand the situation; the tiny screw was removed to reveal the implanted metal receptor, the new fake tooth had a hole drilled right through it, the tooth was set into place then the screw inserted and tightened into place, with the tiny hole then filled.
i was very pleased with the color i chose which was in keeping although slightly lighter than the two adjacent teeth (one of which is fairly dark due to a large amalgam filling.
nothing painful really, slow, and to ensure it healed well healthy eating and exercise.

@Ratherbeaspoonthanafork I'm sorry to hear that, how horrible. I have seen mixed feedback, but the majority of people seem to have an easier ride. Thank all for sharing your experiences

This is so informative, thank you! Excited for the future, and hopefully having a fully functional mouth again ☺️

the purpose of the implant was to help my "dental health" and relieve pressure on the adjacent teeth.
the procedure was done by an oral surgeon who works with the dental clinic i attend (and have attended for 10 years an impressive modern clinic).
the first appointment was a 360 degree mri. and consult.
the team was the surgeon, and anesthetist, and at least 3 nurses. they used a blood sample (taken when they started the IV) to improve the chance that the implant would be accepted.
since it was iv sedation it was very clear i should NOT eat prior (even though my appointment was for 2pm by which point i was dehydrated and my veins uncooperative).
on the drive home i nibbled on crisps, dh had bought a lovely cinnamon bun and breakfast the next day was oatmeal. the meds were equally to decrease the swelling so even though i had little pain i took them.
all the other appointments were totally totally pain free.

Who ARE these superhero types who didn't have 2 hours of expensive conscious sedation like what I did?! (I'm generally a snivelling coward at the dentist). No pain, no memory of the procedure, which involved removing two back 'teeth' (which were basically posts and nasty bits of ancient
crowns) and then one titanium implant. Afterwards I had a good sleep and ate soup that evening. Took ordinary painkillers and was fine.

A warning, though. My dentist screwed in what's called a dental abutment while the titanium implant/gum healed and it didn't go in properly. At home it felt a bit loose and wobbly. I just thought it would 'settle'. Don't be me - call immediately, otherwise you'll be having a coffee, the dental abutment will fall out and you'll call the surgery in hysterics saying 'my implant has fallen out'! The receptionist will then have hysterics until you send a photo and they realise it was the dental abutment. 😁

The final implant's great, though. Hoping to have a couple more when the bone under the other side has regrown. Good luck!

I has a tooth with abscess removed, bone graft placed and then dental implant. Took about a year from start to finish. Had zero pain along the way, nothing compared to having an impacted wisdom tooth removal.

Mine was so easy, easier than a filling or having the tooth out in the first place, or having a wisdom tooth out (which was fine but a bit painful) and I’ve never had a single problem with it.

I've literally just had x2 single implants too.

First appointment was none graft and sinus lift and same day implants fitted - lengthy appointment - 1.5 hours. No pain. Only discomfort was having my mouth open for that long! lol

Subsequent two appointments much more exciting! I absolutely love my new crowns that were fitted 3 months later. I'm going for my final check up in the morning! Good luck. Totally worth the investment 🥰

Encouraging thread. I boke my two top front teeth in a fall almost 50 years ago. Have had dental plates ever since,first plastic and now a metal one that fits behind my teeth and doesnt cover the roof of my mouth like the old plastic ones did.
Am thinking about investing in implants but a bit scared. Its such a visible place that i cant go round with a gap at any point in the process.

@CrystalSingerFan the thought of conscious sedation actually freaks me out more than the thought of dental anxiety! I also had an endoscopy without any sedation.
The thought of not being in control of myself or saying something stupid (my implant dentist guy was very hot!) or peeing myself or relying on someone to pick me up afterwards-nope! Just shut your eyes and you don't know what is going on-it's fine!
My abutment thing fell out too. I think they screw it in and my tongue must have unscrewed it. Was easily sorted the next day although my gum had already started growing over the top of it. So you must go back to the dentist quickly if this happens to you OP.

Mine were absolutely fine and entirely pain free.
I would not do it without a Valium if I had my time again, though. The drilling into my jawbone was one of the more gross experiences of my life!!!
Should have taken the sedation as my surgeon suggested but I was breastfeeding at the time.

I have 3 on 2 molar implants.

The initial surgery itself took over 3 hours. It didn't hurt but there was a lot of drilling, grinding and hammering. I had to have a bone graft which probably added to all the grinding and hammering. The only issue was having my mouth open for all that time. I am pretty sure you can have some sort of sedation, but I didn't. My dentist took lots of photos. My advice would be don't ask to look at the photos 😁

I had no swelling or bruising afterwards but I had some numbness for 3 months.

It was almost 6 months from start to finish, but totally worth it.

Ooh there are so many brave people on this thread with way higher pain thresholds than me. You guys are soooo lucky.

@sunshinechaser, that's fascinating your abutment fell out too. Interesting about the anxiety too - before my partner died, he used to take me home from serious dental appointments. I was always worried I'd be muttering the name of previous crushes (real or TV-based). Luckily it didn't happen. 😇

The most painful thing was the bloody cost 😔

Really not painful no recovery time. Just like having a filling in terms of the worst bit is keeping your mouth open