What Are the Side Effects of Dental Implants?

Dental implants are a very popular choice for our patients in Wallasey, and are considered one of the safest, most durable and reliable ways to replace lost or failing teeth. However, like any surgical procedure, they are not entirely risk free. We’ve written this guide to common side effects you may encounter. 

It’s important to weigh up the pros and cons so you can decide if dental implants are right for you. If you’ve recently had one, you should also understand what’s normal during healing and when to contact your dentist.

Temporary side effects of dental implants

It is normal to have some side effects just after your dental implants have been placed, and these are a common part of the recovery process. Usually, these will fade with time, care and good dental hygiene. 

Discomfort or pain

Although the implant procedure itself is conducted under local anaesthetic and should not be painful, patients often report some soreness when this wears off. This usually starts to subside between 24 and 48 hours and can be managed with ibuprofen or paracetamol unless your dentist advises you otherwise. The NHS suggests applying a cold compress where the implant has been placed, although you should not put ice on your skin. Plenty of rest also helps the recovery process. 

If this persists or worsens after a week, contact your local dentist as it might indicate the implant has moved or become infected. 

Swelling

Following a dental implant it’s very common for some swelling to occur around the gums, and sometimes other soft tissues. This will start to ease around 48-72 hours after your surgery. A cold compress will be useful in easing any swelling if it occurs, and it may also be useful to keep your head slightly raised. This is a sign that your body is healing the site normally. However, if the swelling worsens or you start to experience severe pain, a fever or other symptoms, please contact your dentist. 

Bleeding 

It is very common to have some light bleeding on your implant site immediately after your implant procedure. We recommend biting down on the gauze we’ll provide after your surgery, and avoiding hard and crunchy foods and strong spitting, for example after brushing your teeth. We also suggest avoiding very hot drinks and strenuous exercise as this can stimulate more bleeding. 

Usually, bleeding will not last beyond the first day of surgery. However, if it continues, please contact us for advice. 

Bruising 

You might see some bruises show up as small yellow or purple marks on or around your gums or cheeks, or under your eye for an upper implant. This usually fades within 7 to 10 days. Applying an ice pack or cold compress should help to ease this. However, if the bruises do not subside or are painful or swollen, please contact your dentist. 

Difficulty eating 

In the first few days after an implant, you may have some difficulty eating or chewing. This can be because of the anaesthetic wearing off or because of swelling and soreness from  surgery. Try to eat softer foods including soups, mashed veg or smoothies, as these will not put pressure on the implant site. The suction created from drinking through straws can also put pressure on the site, so try to avoid these for the first few days. 

As you recover, you will be able to introduce more foods into your diet. 

Do dental implants have long-term side effects? 

The majority of dental implants last for many years or even decades once placed, but in a handful of cases, there are long-term issues to be aware of. However, these are rare and good dental hygiene helps reduce the risk. Attending regular dental checkups will help us spot them early. 

Infection and peri-implantitis 

Infection can start as gum inflammation around the implant and go on to infect the bone. This may affect the stability of the implant and even lead to bone loss if not treated. Early signs of infection include redness, tenderness, bleeding when brushing your teeth or an unpleasant taste. 

Peri-implantitis is a much more serious and advanced inflammation of the gums and bone around an implant. If left untreated it can cause swelling, bleeding and loss of bone. However, these problems are preventable with proper oral care and regular visits to your dentist and hygienist. 

Injury during the procedure

Occasionally, nearby teeth or blood vessels may be injured during the placement of your tooth implant. This might cause some temporary sensitivity or bleeding. More rarely, it can damage the root of a nearby tooth. Sometimes, the procedure can also cause or aggravate sinus issues such as pain or congestion. 

However, at Wallasey Village Dental, we use detailed scans, equipment and imaging to precisely plan where your implant will go, which reduces the risk of any accidental injury during your procedure. If necessary, we will reduce the risk of sinus complications with sinus lift or bone grafting procedures to safely increase your bone height. 

If you have any concerns, please contact us quickly so we can give an assessment. 

Allergic reactions

Very rarely, some patients can have adverse reactions to metals such as titanium used in implants. If you have experienced any metal allergies, please inform us so we can provide zirconia implants or another metal-free alternative. 

Gum recession

Just like with natural teeth, gum recession can occur if you have implants. This exposes the metal abutment and can affect appearance, as well as making cleaning more difficult. However, serious recession is rare, and if it’s caught early, we can provide a soft tissue graft to restore the coverage, protecting your implant and your healthy teeth. 

Implant failure

Implant failure occurs when the implant doesn’t fuse properly with the bone or loses stability, so it needs to be replaced. While dental implants have an over 95% success rate in healthy non-smoking patients, they can occasionally fail early due to infection, bone quality issues or excessive strain on the crown. More rarely, they can fail at a later point, often due to inflammation or injury. 

However, implants can - and do - last decades with good oral hygiene and frequent visits to the dentist. 

How to prevent side effects from dental implants

To reduce the risk of side effects it’s important to look after your dental implants well, whether you have single implants, All-on-4, implant-retained dentures or another type. We’ve put together some tips below: 

• Choose an experienced dentist - our highly trained implant dentist in Wallasey can give a comprehensive assessment and spot any possible issues. We use advanced equipment including 3D scans to plan your treatment in detail. 

• Go to the dentist and hygienist regularly - Our dedicated team can provide you with oral hygiene advice as well as detecting any problems early. 

• Stick to a good oral hygiene routine - brushing with an electric toothbrush, flossing and using interdental brushes will reduce plaque accumulation and prevent your implants from becoming infected. 

• Load management - Try to avoid putting pressure on your implants too early, especially while the bone is healing, as this can increase the likelihood of failure. 

• Look after your health - some health conditions such as diabetes can increase the risk of infection if this is poorly controlled. Smoking can also increase the likelihood of complications. 

Can you treat dental implant side effects? 

If you’ve had a dental implant elsewhere and it’s gone wrong - don’t worry. Please contact us for an appointment in Wallasey so we can help. While most side effects are minor, severe issues are treatable with expert care.

Want to feel confident about your smile? Contact us now and let us help restore the beauty of your smile.

FAQs

1. Are dental implants painful? 

The dental implant procedure is not painful, as it is carried out under local anaesthetic for your comfort. However, some soreness and swelling is common 24-48 hours after your implant has been placed. This can usually be treated through over the counter medicines such as paracetamol and ibuprofen. If you experience severe pain, please contact your dentist. 

2. How long will my dental implant take to heal? 

Typically, it takes 1-2 weeks for the soft tissues to heal, and around another 3 to 9 months for the implant to fully integrate with the bone (osseointegration). 

3. How do you treat an infected implant? 

If your implant has become infected we will clean the area and apply antiseptic to treat the infection. Depending on the situation we may also prescribe antibiotics, or perform minor bone grafting or surgical cleaning in severe cases. Removing the implant is a last resort and can usually be prevented if the infection is caught early. 

4. How do I tell if an implant is infected? 

Signs that your implant could be infected include: 

• Redness and swelling around the area

• Bleeding or pus

• Persistent pain

• Unpleasant taste or smell 

• Loss of stability or loosening 

• Visible bone loss during checkups 

If you experience any of these, please contact your dentist so we can help. 

5. What happens if I grind my teeth with implants?

Grinding your teeth or biting on hard objects such as pens can overload or put stress on your implants, just like with your natural teeth, and can eventually wear down or damage the implant. If you are struggling with grinding your teeth, we suggest getting a night guard, which are available in our online store or in our clinic.