Nerve damage from getting dental implants? my dentist says the amount of time it takes for pain to go away is different for each person. i get that, but it's been almost a year. could i have nerve damage from the implants?

Dear : Dear concerned: it is nearly impossible for me to answer your question, since you have given no details as to the type of surgery which was performed. However, generally implant surgery generates mild to moderate pain which should dissipate within a couple of days. Implantation of one/two implants most of the time generates very light pain which can be easily handled by advil (ibuprofen) for a day or two. More complicated surgical procedures can generate more pain, but it should go away within a week. Pain of longer duration usually indicates an infection, a non-integration of the implant, or rarely, nerve damage. If your pain has lingered for this long, you must have it diagnosed and find the etiology (cause). If your dentist cannot give you a definitive answer, you need to get an unbiased second opinion. I recommend either of the following speicialists: prosthodontist, periodontist, or oral surgeon. All three deal with dental implants and can address any complications that you might have. Please do not wait any longer. A year is wayyyyy to long to endure pain without a resolution. Best of luck, dr. Zev kaufman.

Possibly: If the nerve ( I am assuming this is a lower jaw implant procedure) was traumatized during implant surgery, the altered sensation can be temporary or unfortunately permanent. The inferior alveolar canal, which runs through the lower jaw is ultimately responsible for sensation to the gums, lip and skin in the chin area on that side of the lower jaw.

Nerve damage: You should not be in pain a year after getting a dental implant. In fact, dental implants are placed in bone, and bone does not have nerve endings, so you shouldn't be experiencing any pain from the dental implant itself. If, however, the dental implant was placed too close to the nerve, then it will cause pain. Seek the advice of a dentist specializing in dental implants (prosthodontist).

Consultation: After the discomfort from placing dental implants which usually is only a few weeks at most, you should have absolutely no pain at any point thereafter, even when the implants are later restored. Obviously something is wrong. It may be related to the implant itself or adjacent teeth if present. Seek a second opinion from another dentist or prosthodontist. Nerve damage would produce numbness.

Possible: See an oral surgeon and a prosthodontist for evaluation. It is possible that the implant may be exerting pressure on the nerve. Sometimes these need to be removed and replaced. If no improvement in 1 year, i would recommend re-evaluation. Cbct scan may be needed to properly diagnose.

You could, but: It is hard to know without a more detailed history, exam and x-rays. Pain should never last a year. I would consider it abnormal if it lasted more than a week. Dont delay being examined. If you did have nerve damage, time is critical.

Possible?: Nerve damage is most common from implant placement in the molar area of the lower jaw, but that would result in permanent or semi-permanent numbness. Pain is a different issue. Hard to tell without your complete history, old records, including x-rays and a new comprehensive oral exam. You may want to consider a second opinion. Your pain may be neurological or even referred pain from another tooth.

Seek care: Dental implants is typically a relatively painless procedure especially after one year. Problem could be nerve damage which should have resolved after six months. The second possibility if the implant was placed next to or between teeth the procedure could have injured the tooth.

Check the x rays : If you truly have nerve damage on your lower jaw this would have resulted in loss of feeling in part of your face if the implant is pressing on the nerve then you will also have pain discuss this with the doctor who placed the implant.

Nerve damage: The chance of nerve damage that would cause pain for that long is not common since bone in the jaw doesnt have a lot of innervation. You need to have a x-ray to determine where the end of the implant lies and if there is any nerve impingement there. You didn't state upper or lower and there is a difference. Maybe get a second opinion to also rule out periodontal issue.