Dental implants are a functional and attractive replacement option for missing teeth that have helped millions of people. However, dental patients should know that implant installation is a surgical procedure and some side effects should be expected, as with any surgery. Here is a guide to three possible side effects of dental implant surgery.

1. Mild Discomfort and Sensitivity

The teeth and gums are rich in nerves, and any interaction with these nerves during dental implant surgery can cause pain, numbness, and tingling in the mouth and jaw. The implant site may also be more sensitive to temperature and pressure for a week or two after the procedure.

Your dentist can prescribe pain relievers to help with any discomfort or sensitivity during your recovery. Your dentist may also recommend a topical gel or medicated mouth wash to discourage infection around your new implant.

2. Minor Bruising or Bleeding in the Gums

Oral surgeons create incisions in the gums to install dental implants and then use sutures to close the gum tissue. Some degree of bruising in the gums is inevitable, but these bruises will fade over time like other side effects of dental implant surgery.

Bruises appear on the gums when blood is trapped below the surface of the gum tissue. Some people are more prone to bleeding after implant surgery, so you may see blood around your new implant or in the sink after brushing. Use a gauze pad or cloth to control excessive bleeding after you receive implants, and visit your dentist if you have any concerns.

3. Swelling in the Face and Gums

The body naturally responds to tissue and bone trauma through the process of inflammation. Blood flow rushes to the area so that white blood cells can respond quickly to pathogens and other invaders. The inflammatory response causes the warmth, redness, and swelling in the jaw and face that is commonly seen after dental implant surgery.

The amount of swelling that patients experience after receiving implants varies due to genetics and the number of implants being placed. In most cases, major swelling subsides within a week after dental implant surgery.

Dental implants rarely cause any serious side effects, and the improvements implants can bring to your smile far outweigh the mild discomforts during recovery. Talk to services like Elite Smile Center about your dental implant options. Dentists can answer any other questions you have about the side effects of dental implant installation.