Your natural teeth have nerves in them, so when they are exposed to outside stimuli, they can easily send pain signals to your brain. This is especially true when teeth are damaged or worn-down. But what about dental implants? They do not have any nerves, so why do they sometimes feel sensitive? This blog post explains why this problem can occur and what you may be able to do to find relief.
Sensitivity Is Not Always Easy to Pinpoint
Because dental implants are not living structures, it is technically impossible for them to feel sensitivity. However, it may seem like they are sensitive if the nearby tissues are sending pain signals to your brain. Those signals can come from your gums, your jawbone, neighboring teeth, or other nearby structures.
Reasons for Sensitivity Near a Dental Implant
You might experience sensitivity near one of your dental implants if:
- Food is impacted around your implant. Food particles might become trapped around your implant. This can irritate your gums and nearby teeth.
- You have an infection. An infection in your gums or teeth may cause these tissues to feel painful and sensitive.
- Your sinuses are swollen. If you have an implant in your upper dental arch, sinus congestion and swelling might place pressure on your upper jaw and your teeth, leading to discomfort.
- You are having an allergic reaction. The vast majority of people have no allergies to the materials used to make dental implants. Rarely, though, allergic reactions can cause pain and sensitivity in nearby tissues.
- There is nerve damage. Very rarely, a dental implant may be placed in a way that causes nerve damage. Nerve damage can also occur as a result of a traumatic injury near an implant.
What to Do About Dental Implant Sensitivity
If you are experiencing sensitivity near one of your dental implants, do not ignore the problem. Instead, book an appointment with your dentist. They can examine your mouth, take some X-rays, and strive to determine the cause of your discomfort. From there, they can recommend your next steps. You might need something relatively simple, like antibiotics or some adjustments to your oral hygiene routine. However, there is also the slight chance that your implant is failing and you will require more extensive treatment. The sooner you receive care, the more likely it is that you can find relief via conservative, noninvasive means.
Dental implant sensitivity is nothing to take lightly! Ask for your dentist’s help so you can deal with this troublesome issue.
Meet the Practice
New Haven Dental Group has had the privilege of serving our community for decades. We are proud to offer top-quality dental implant care, including dental implant placement, maintenance, and salvage. If you are concerned about sensitivity around one of your prosthetic teeth, we are ready to evaluate the situation. Contact our Hamden office at 203-587-7327.