Dental implants aren’t “real” teeth, so most people don’t expect any aches from them. The idea is that these prosthetics will always “fill out” your smile painlessly, never causing major discomfort. Still, such thoughts are wrong; a dental implant may feel sensitive after a while. Your Justin dentist will even explain the details behind this fact. With that said, here’s a primer on what can make dental implants “sensitive” or sore over time.
Remember How Implants Work
For the sake of context, you’ll want to grasp how dental implants work first. Why they can “feel” sensitive sometimes won’t make sense otherwise.
Dental implants don’t restore smiles like dentures or dental bridges do. Unlike other tooth replacements, they’re placed directly in the jaw’s empty sockets. This placement ensures your new “teeth” become safe, secure, and stable parts of your mouth. Once the fusion ends, your final implants won’t slip or fall out.
Causes of Dental Implant “Sensitivity”
Dental implants can’t actually “feel” sensitive in themselves. Rather, the areas near them can get irritated by the following:
Nerve Damage
Despite themselves, a dentist might injure some gum tissue or nerves during your implant surgery. This mistake could cause permanent damage near your post, resulting in long-term sensitivity.
Dental Impaction
Food and other debris can often wedge between implants and natural teeth. In doing so, such “leftovers” can make the affected area sensitive. It’s only natural; even a corn kernel can cause aches when it’s wedged into your gums.
Peri-Implantitis
For various reasons, you might someday experience peri-implantitis – a gum infection near your implant. This condition often leads to jawbone erosion, which makes an implant “feel” loose and achy.
A Crowded Mouth
If a dentist places your post too close to other teeth, you may suffer from dental crowding. Such a problem would exert pressure near the implant, making the area near it tender.
Why to Talk to Your Dentist
It may seem harmless, but you should always consult a dentist about a “sensitive” dental implant. The sensitivity could point to early implant failure – a problem that threatens your overall treatment results. If you want to know for sure, you’ll need a dentist’s diagnosis.
Aside from sensitivity, dentists will look for several other signs to see if a dental implant is at risk. These include:
- Difficulty with chewing
- Major gum recession
- Swollen & irritated gums
- Obvious oral pain and discomfort
- Tender and inflamed gums
- Overly-loose implant(s)
If you don’t want your dental implant to feel sensitive, visit your dental provider. They’ll confirm the underlying issue and suggest an appropriate treatment.
About the Practice
Forest Leaf Dental is based in Justin, TX. Led by Dr. Hui Zhang, our practice works to give patients of all ages thriving smiles. We thus offer preventive, cosmetic, and even restorative smile care, with every treatment tailored to your mouth’s specific needs. Our team can also place dental implants entirely in-house, making tooth replacement easier for you. For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (940)-946-0055.