Sensitivity pain is common in teeth for many reasons. Sometimes it’s because of thin enamel, other times it can be a sign of cavities or infection. But what if you feel sensitivity in your dental implant? It’s not a real tooth, so how can it feel the same sensations? It might seem strange, but there is an explanation. Continue reading to learn how your dental implant is uncomfortable and why you should let your dentist know as soon as possible.
Why Is My Dental Implant Sensitive?
Dental implants don’t have nerves or structures that can feel changes in temperature or pressure like natural teeth. So, it’s understandably strange when you start to feel those sensations at your implant site. But what could be the cause? Here are a few examples of ways sensitivity might be affecting your implant:
- Tooth Decay: While dental implants can’t get cavities, adjacent teeth can. Sometimes pain can be difficult to pinpoint, so it may feel like your implant is sensitive when adjacent teeth hurt.
- Periodontal Disease: The same bacteria that cause tooth decay can also affect the gums. Periodontal disease can damage and weaken the tissues around your implant, causing it to feel uncomfortable.
- Food Impaction: One simple, but painful reason for dental implant pain is impacted food particles. These can build up around the implant and between your teeth, causing consistent aches and pains.
- Tissue or Nerve Damage: Throughout your dental implant surgery, there is a small chance of some tissue damage to occur. While this can heal over time, nerve damage may be permanent, causing a sore spot in your smile.
- Allergic Reaction: While exceedingly rare, some patients are allergic to the titanium used for the implant fixture. This leads to loss of taste, gum swelling, and sometimes a burning or tingling sensation.
What Should I Do Now?
Any pain or discomfort around your dental implant, especially if it’s persistent, should be reported to your dentist. While your sensitivity may have a simple solution, the main concern is that it’s a sign that your implant is failing. Dental implant failure is rare, but when it happens, it can be deeply concerning.
So, the faster you receive care for your pain, the more likely it will be that you keep your implant and restore your oral health. When you get to your dentist, they’ll check your teeth and gums and may take an X-ray. This will tell them if there’s anything happening beneath the surface or in the bone surrounding your implant fixture.
Don’t let sensitivity bring down the joy of your new smile. Seeing your dentist will help you keep your oral health in check and your implant functioning properly. With a positive attitude and the help of a skilled dental professional, you can alleviate your pain and get back to smiling with comfort.
About the Practice
Dental implants should be placed by expert dentists with extensive training. At Jacksonville Complete Dentistry, their team has performed multiple successful procedures for their smiling patients. They use state-of-the-art dental technology and techniques to ensure efficient and comfortable treatment every time. Call (904) 645-6457 to schedule a dental implant consultation or visit the website to see a full menu of treatments they offer.