When you try to enjoy hot or cold foods and drinks, your tooth hurts. But after realizing which tooth feels sensitive, maybe you started to second-guess yourself. The pearly white in question isn’t an organic tooth at all; it’s your dental implant! Since it doesn’t have any nerves, you shouldn’t be able to feel pain in your implant, right? Is it possible you’re just overreacting?
Actually, your gut instinct could be exactly correct. Keep reading, because this post will address how dental implant tenderness works.
What Causes Dental Implant Sensitivity?
While it might not be your dental implant that’s picking up on uncomfortable sensations, the gums, soft oral tissue, and natural teeth near your implant could very well be in pain. Since the nerve endings in your mouth are packed fairly close together, it can be difficult to pinpoint the true source of your aches, and your brain might interpret the signals as coming from that general area.
In other words, discomfort near your dental implant is worth paying attention to! You may have a dental emergency on your hands, such as:
- An oral infection
- Cavities
- Gum disease
- Food or other debris stuck between your teeth
- An improperly placed implant
What Should You Do?
These can all be serious issues that will only get worse without treatment, so the best thing to do is call your dentist and request an emergency dental appointment. After listening to you describe your symptoms, they’ll be happy to get you scheduled as soon as possible. If they can’t see you on the same day, they’ll tell you what to do in the meantime. This will likely include taking steps to alleviate your discomfort and avoid disturbing the sensitive area.
Tenderness near your dental implant can be concerning, but your dentist will take good care of you! Trust them to provide an accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment, and you’ll be back to life as usual in no time.
About the Practice
At D&G Dental of West Orange, we’re proud to have four dentists on staff, each of whom has their own unique area of expertise, allowing us to provide truly comprehensive care for our patients. For example, Dr. Paula Gencarelli is highly skilled with dental emergency treatments and oral surgery, and Dr. Med Dawoud is a member of the prestigious International Congress of Oral Implantologists. If you’re experiencing sensitivity near your dental implant, we’ll provide a prompt diagnosis and quality care! To contact our office, please call 973-731-2200.