Throbbing Pain After Dental Implant — What You Can Do About It? (2024)

1 What Causes Throbbing Pain After a Dental Implant?

1.1 Overloading the Implant

1.2 Incision Re-opening

1.3 Bite Misalignment

1.4 Infection

What Causes Throbbing Pain After a Dental Implant?

Some minor discomfort is normal after having dental implants placed, especially once the effects of the anaesthesia wear off. Some bleeding is also common for the first 24-48 hours post-surgery. It is essential to follow your dentist’s post-operative instructions so you can ensure your mouth heals properly.

If you are considering dental implants, you may be concerned about how long it will take for discomfort to subside. Your mouth should feel normal again within 1-2 weeks after your implant placement, but if you are still experiencing discomfort after two weeks, this is a sign that something may be wrong.

There are several potential causes of throbbing pain after dental implant surgery:

Overloading the Implant

Dental implants can fail if they are overloaded with force. This can happen if the dental implant is used to support a dental prosthesis that is too large or if the patient bites too hard on the dental implant.

Overloading dental implants can cause them to loosen in the jawbone and eventually fall out. Overloading dental implants can also cause the surrounding bone to atrophy or shrink. This can lead to pain in the jawbone and surrounding tissues.

Incision Re-opening

Incision re-opening is a common complication following dental implant surgery. The incision is usually closed with dissolvable sutures, which dissolve over several weeks. However, the incision may reopen before the sutures have completely dissolved.

This can cause throbbing pain and bleeding, which makes it difficult to eat or speak. If the incision does reopen, it is essential to see your dentist as soon as possible. They will clean the wound and close it with non-dissolvable sutures.

Bite Misalignment

When the dental implant is not placed in the correct position, it can cause the teeth to misalign, putting pressure on the gum tissue and causing pain. Misaligned teeth can also make it difficult to chew and cause TMJ problems. Jaw tightness is normal following dental implant surgery and resolves over time.

Infection

Dental implants can also cause infections, which can lead to throbbing pain. The most common cause of infection is peri-implantitis, which is when the gum and bone around the dental implant become inflamed.

One of the main causes of peri-implantitis is overloading the implant. This happens for multiple reasons, including dental implants placed close together, leftover cement on dental implants, smoking, diabetes, and poor oral hygiene. Antibiotics are the most common treatment, but dental implants may need to be removed in more severe cases.

Other Causes of Dental Implant Pain

While infection is the most common cause of dental implant pain, there are other potential causes to be aware of:

Implant failure can occur if the implant does not fuse properly with the jawbone or if the surrounding tissues are not strong enough to support the implant.
Nerve damage is another possibility, and it can occur if the implant impact site is too close to a nerve.
Although uncommon, an undiagnosed metal allergy may prevent proper healing due to implant rejection.

How to Manage Dental Implant Pain?

Here are a few things you can do at home to manage dental implant pain:

Apply an Ice Pack

If you’re experiencing pain and swelling after dental implant surgery, applying an ice pack can help. Ice packs can help reduce inflammation and pain. To use an ice pack, wrap it in a towel and apply it to the affected area for 15-20 minutes at a time.

Use OTC Medications

If you’re in pain, over-the-counter pain medication can help. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil) effectively reduce pain and inflammation. Take 400-600mg of Motrin® or Advil® every 6-8 hours to reduce inflammation or 1-2 tablets of regular Tylenol®.

Rest with Head Elevated

If you’re experiencing throbbing pain after a dental implant, try resting with your head elevated. This can help reduce pressure in the implants and alleviate pain. You can prop your head up with pillows or sleep in a recliner.

Eat Soft Foods

It’s important to avoid placing too much pressure on your dental implants. Soft foods can help reduce the pressure on the implants and minimise pain.

Good choices include blended soups, flakey fish, mashed potatoes, and yoghurt. Avoid hard or crunchy foods, as they can put pressure on the implant, potentially dislodging it and causing discomfort.

When to Visit Your Dentist for Dental Implant Pain

If you experience dental implant pain, it is important to visit your dentist immediately. While some discomfort is normal following implant surgery, severe pain could indicate that the implant is failing or that an infection is present. Other symptoms to be aware of include redness, swelling, and discharge from the gums.

Support Your Oral Health With No Gaps Dental

Good oral health is vital for overall health and well-being. That’s why finding a dental care provider you can trust is crucial. No Gaps Dental is a premier provider of dental services throughout the Sydney area.

We also offer financing options to make our services accessible to everyone. So if you’re looking for high-quality dental care, look no further than No Gaps Dental. We can help you achieve and maintain good oral health. Call us on (02) 8007 6727 today.

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

References

Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction
https://medlineplus.gov/temporomandibularjointdysfunction.html

Intravenous Ibuprofen for Treatment of Post-Operative Pain
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4859493/