If you’re dealing with failing or missing teeth, chances are you’ve already been through plenty of pain — root canals, infections, broken teeth, or just the mental exhaustion of not wanting to smile anymore.
So when the word “surgery” enters the conversation, a natural question to ask is: Are dental implants painful?
The truth is, the recovery from full mouth dental implants is often easier than people expect. In fact, many Nuvia patients tell us all they needed was some ibuprofen after their procedure.
While this may not be the case for everyone, getting an idea of what to expect from dental implant surgery can help with nerves you may have. Getting a new smile is an exciting and life-changing moment after all!
Are Dental Implants Painful No Matter What? Understanding Pain and Healing
The reality is that not all implant procedures are created equal. Some providers use decade old methods, hand you bulky temporary dentures, and send you home hoping everything works out until you get your permanent teeth in what could be 10+ months later. This type of healing process may not be as comfortable.
That’s not how your experience will be at Nuvia. With your safety and comfort being our top priority, we’ve invested in teams of highly qualified professionals so that your procedure and healing afterwards are in expert hands.
At Nuvia, your doctors focus 100% on full mouth dental implants, nothing else. That means you're getting a new smile from a team of highly experienced professionals who do this day in and day out.
Your procedure is done by an oral & maxillofacial surgeon who has completed 4-6 years of additional training after dental school, not a general dentist who only handles full mouth restorations every once in a while.
Because your safety is the top priority, a CRNA provides sedation and monitors your vitals the entire time you’re asleep — so your surgeon focuses fully on your dental implants.
You’ll also have a restorative doctor who will create your custom set of permanent teeth that you’ll get 24 hours after surgery – not 10+ months later.
The result? A recovery shaped by expert planning and experience, with permanent teeth designed to act as a split for dental implants—so the healing process can begin with strength and stability from day one.
So… Are Dental Implants Painful?
Here’s the answer straight from our doctors and patients:
Probably not in the way you may think.
First, you don’t need to wonder “are dental implants painful to get?” You won’t feel anything while sedated and having the dental implants placed.
After the sedation and numbing wears off, you may feel some tenderness, swelling, or soreness for a few days. That’s normal.
But the kind of pain people fear — unmanageable and constant lasting for weeks? That’s extremely unlikely. Rest assured that you’ll have a team of professionals that do this day in and day out to help keep you comfortable during and after the procedure.
Most patients manage any discomfort with just ibuprofen. Some take a day or two off work, but many patients express the same thing:
“It was way easier than I thought it would be.”
Tips to Stay Comfortable During Recovery
Here are tips to make your recovery more comfortable:
1. Use Cold Compresses
Apply an ice pack (or frozen peas — they work great) to reduce swelling in the first 48 hours. Use it for 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off.
2. Sleep with Your Head Elevated
Keeping your head above your heart may help reduce swelling and bruising. Propping up a few pillows or sleeping in a recliner can make a big difference.
3. Take Your Meds as Directed
Most patients do great with over-the-counter options like ibuprofen or Tylenol. If needed, your doctor may prescribe a stronger option — but you might not need it.
How Long Does Any Discomfort Last?
For most, any tenderness peaks around Day 2 or 3 and then typically fades quickly. By Day 7, most patients are surprised at how good they feel — and how different it is from what they feared.
Plus, because you get your permanent teeth in just 24 hours, you don’t have to fumble with temporary dentures while you heal. You get to start smiling immediately — and that alone changes the recovery experience.
Resting adequately, staying hydrated, and following the aftercare instructions given by our team will also significantly contribute to your comfort and the success of your recovery.
A Comfortable Recovery Starts with the Right Team
If you’re asking “are dental implants painful”, it’s important to know that you have the ability to set yourself up for a less uncomfortable experience.
One of the big factors that impacts pain is how well the surgery is done. At Nuvia, we’re not experimenting. We’ve done thousands of full mouth cases, and every step — from anesthesia to implant placement to lab work — is done under one roof by experts who work together every day.
Having an oral & maxillofacial surgeon who has extensive training perform the surgery is likely to make a difference in recovery than having a less experienced general dentist.
Take the First Step Toward a Better Life (Without the Pain You Fear)
If you’ve been wondering whether dental implants are painful — and it’s been stopping you from moving forward — now you know the truth.
It’s not just tolerable. It’s streamlined and simple. Especially when done the right way, by the right team.
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