How Long Before Dental Implants Feel Normal and Natural?

Dental implants are artificial tooth root replacements available in removable or fixed models. You have to undergo dental implant surgery to replace your tooth’s root with a synthetic screw-like post or metal. The replacement tooth roots are made to resemble your natural teeth. Whether you receive permanent or digital implants depends on your oral condition. So, how long before dental implants feel normal and natural?

What is a dental implant?

For some people, taking out their temporary teeth at night may be comfortable, while for others, dental implants are a suitable solution when it comes to replacing natural teeth. Dental implants can help restore your smile and serve as your natural teeth regardless of the reason for your missing teeth.

Your dentist will place implants into the bone under your gums during the implant procedure. The implants are then stabilised to prevent bone loss. Patients are usually given anaesthesia during the process, so they feel no pain.

How do dental implants feel?

As a dental implant replaces an extracted or missing tooth, you will not feel any sensation in the replaced tooth. You might feel a shooting pain that comes from the surrounding gums. That means dental implants differ from your natural teeth as they are attached to roots and nerves, making you feel sensations like intense pressure, heat or cold. This is a palpable issue if you suddenly feel this post-op side effect after your dental implant surgery abroad.

With dental implants, you cannot feel these sensations as they are not attached to your nerves. It is the surrounding gums that provide a sensation for your missing or extracted teeth. Aside from that, dental implants not only look like natural teeth but also function like them. They are designed to blend in perfectly with your surrounding teeth.

Although dental implants are made of metal and are firmly implanted in your bone, you should not feel any lingering metallic taste in your mouth. However, you might feel a strange sensation the first few times you eat. Once the procedure is complete, and your mouth has healed, the sensation gradually diminishes.

Conveniently, you can follow the same oral hygiene and care you need for your natural teeth. Once your treatment is done, and you get used to your dental implants, you will hardly notice any difference.

Typically, dental implants take between 6 and 8 months to heal fully and feel normal again. After this period, you can resume your normal life and eat without experiencing any discomfort. However, the recovery period may vary depending on the nature of dental implant surgery. You may require a longer recovery period if the implant surgery involves bone grafts.

What happens after dental implant placement?

Your surgeon will give you a detailed list of postoperative instructions. They’ll also prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection. There are several things you can do to reduce your risk of soreness and discomfort:

Take all medications exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Avoid exercise or heavy lifting for at least 72 hours. (An elevated heart rate can result in increased pain and swelling.)
Chew on the other side of your mouth. (If you had implants placed on both sides, eat soft foods for a few days, and then add other foods as your comfort level allows.)
Brush and floss every day.
Clean the implant site as directed by your surgeon.

Discomfort after Dental Implant Surgery

After dental implant surgery here or outside the country, the level of discomfort you will experience depends on how extensive the surgery is. Sometimes, your dentist might not give you pain medication if they expect the discomfort to be minimal. The local anaesthesia used during the implant surgery wears off within 2 to 4 hours. You may experience some discomfort after the anaesthesia wears off. Some people often take pain medication before the numbness wears off.

Factors that may Influence the Implant Healing Period

Certain factors may determine how long dental implants take to heal and feel normal. The factors are:

Whether you are a smoker or use tobacco products
Underlying medical conditions like diabetes
The number of dental implants you received
How well are you adhering to your dentist’s instructions after implant surgery
If you have ample bone mass for the implants to bind on

Taking certain measures will help you speed up the recovery period after the placement of dental implants. Immediately after implant surgery, avoiding hard and crunchy foods is advisable as they may have adverse effects. Other ways of speeding the recovery period are:

Limiting your physical activity
Taking medication
Taking enough rest

You should contact your dentist if you notice any signs of failed implants. Some of the complications associated with dental implants include infection at the implant site, nerve damage, and sinus issues.

All in all, aside from its high cost, there is no denying that dental implants are one of the most convenient and long-lasting solutions for people who have missing teeth. You may feel slight sensations a few weeks after the treatment, but once you become accustomed, the implants will feel like your natural teeth.

Are you considering a dental implant procedure in the near future? If you’re seeking the best dentist Sydney offers, residents and their families should know that we’re well-positioned on all counts to take care of their every dental need. Why not book a consultation with the team and find out for yourself? Talk to one of our dental health professionals today to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.