How much does a dental implant hurt?

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into the toothless jawbone and serves to replace missing teeth. Placing a dental implant is a multi-step process that usually takes a few months. The placement procedure is as follows:

• First, the dentist carries out the assessment, the X-rays and CT scans, and plans the treatment. They determine what type and size of implant is needed, and whether prior bone grafting or a sinus lift is necessary.
• How much does a dental implant hurt? The placement is carried out under local anaesthesia; it does not hurt at all, since we use the best painkillers. The dentist makes a small incision in the gum and forms the bone socket into which the implant is placed. The implant is a screw made of titanium, which is screwed into the bone. The incision is closed with sutures, and a temporary cover screw is placed on the implant. After placement, a follow-up X-ray is taken to check the position of the implant.
• After placement comes the healing period, during which the implant integrates into the bone. This process usually takes 2-3 months, but it can vary from person to person. During healing, proper oral hygiene, avoiding smoking and taking painkillers as needed are important. At the end of healing, the dentist checks the stability of the implant and removes the sutures and the cover screw.
• After healing comes gum shaping, during which the dentist places a gum former on the implant to create a harmonious relationship between the gum and the denture. The gum former is left on the implant for a few weeks so that the gum fits it properly.
• After gum shaping comes the placement of the implant abutment, which forms the base of the denture. The implant abutment can be prefabricated at the factory or custom-made. The dentist screws the appropriate implant abutment into the implant screw and checks its fit and the chewing force.
• After the implant abutment has been placed comes the impression-taking and planning, during which the dentist makes a silicone or digital impression of the dental arches and sends it to the dental laboratory, where the denture is made. The denture can be one or more crowns, a bridge, or a complete denture, made of a material such as metal-ceramic or zirconium. The design of the denture is adapted to the patient's needs and expectations, and ensures an aesthetic and functional result.
• After the denture has been made comes the try-in, adjustment and fixing, during which our dentist places the denture on the implant abutment and checks the comfort, chewing, biting and aesthetics. If necessary, they make minor corrections, then permanently fix the denture, which thus looks completely natural and gives the patient the feeling of their own tooth.
• After the denture has been fixed comes the aftercare and follow-up, during which the dentist regularly checks the condition of the implant and the denture and gives advice on proper care. The dental implant and the denture retain their quality and function in the long term as well, if the patient follows the oral hygiene rules, avoids smoking, and visits the dentist once a year.