Dental implants are amazing prosthetic devices that replace lost teeth with beautiful and functional restorations that may last a lifetime if they receive excellent care. These appliances can work just like natural teeth after they fuse with the jawbone, but you may be concerned if you find that your dental implant seems to hurt or be sensitive. Here’s why your appliance may cause discomfort and how your dentist can help.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are titanium posts designed to be surgically inserted into the jawbone and fused with its structure through the natural process of osseointegration. This gives the restorations mounted upon them the leverage they need to exert maximum chewing power and enjoy incredible longevity with proper maintenance. An implant that receives excellent care can last for several decades or even a lifetime, which can potentially save the patient from having to spend vast sums of money on replacements for traditional restorations.
Why Would My Dental Implant Seem Sensitive?
You may be quite disconcerted if you find that your implant seems uncomfortable or sensitive since the device does not have any nerves with which to send pain signals. However, it may seem like you have unpleasant feelings in your implant because the human brain sometimes has difficulty pinpointing the precise location of a cause of distress. Your implant may seem painful due to infection or irritation of the gum tissue around it or injuries of the jawbone structure supporting it.
How Can My Dentist Help?
The best way to address dental implant discomfort depends on what is causing it. Gum disease is among the leading causes of implant failure, and it can usually be reversed in its early stages with improved oral hygiene. However, advanced cases of gum disease will require periodontal treatments from a qualified dentist to be resolved. If the issue is caused by physical stress in the area around an implant, your dentist may recommend a customized nightguard or sportsguard to prevent unnecessary strain and injuries.
If your discomfort is caused by a dental implant not being sufficiently fused with the jawbone, your dentist may refer you to a specialist who can address the problem with treatments such as bone grafts.
Practicing excellent oral hygiene and adhering to your dentist’s recommendations are the best ways to keep your implants in great shape for life. By giving your restorations excellent care, you can help them stay comfortable and serve you beautifully for many years to come.
About the Practice
Next Door Dental offers outstanding oral healthcare to the people of Greensboro. Led by Drs. Thomas Bagley and Raul Garcia, the staff shows each patient the utmost respect, exemplary courtesy, and old-fashioned customer service. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as implant services. If you are concerned about the health of your dental implant, contact the office online or dial (336) 854-5850.