Tooth implants require a small surgical procedure. Your dentist or oral surgeon must make a small incision in your gums in order to install the implant in your maxilla (upper jaw) or mandible (lower jaw). Your jawbone then heals around the implant, fixing it in place and allowing it to support the prosthetic tooth that will be attached to it. As far as surgeries go, it's not all that traumatic to your body, but there's a potential issue you should be mindful of.

The Worst Is Over

Once your tooth implant has been placed in your jaw, the worst should be over. In any event, the worst is fairly minor. It's not a painless process, but your discomfort can be efficiently managed with pain medication.

The Healing Begins

Your jaw and gingival tissues immediately begin to heal, although you can experience an inflammatory response resulting from the surgery. The site of the implant will be inflamed and sensitive, and there might be visible swelling, as well as bruising. This is to be expected to some degree and isn't a reason to be alarmed.

Physical Reactions

These physical reactions to your surgery (along with your discomfort) will rapidly begin to subside. Similarly, your need for pain relief will reduce. In short, you should begin to feel better in the days following the implant procedure. It's when you begin to feel worse that you should contact your dentist.

Continuing and Escalating Pain

Continuing pain or pain that seems to be escalating instead of subsiding can suggest nerve damage. This occurs when the placement of the implant has irritated an adjacent nerve in your jaw. Quick action is very much in your best interests.

Self-Correcting Damage

While your dentist doesn't want you to experience ongoing discomfort, it might be concluded that any nerve damage is minor and will be self-correcting. The nerve in question might simply require additional time to accommodate the intrusion of the implant before your discomfort can truly ease off. You can continue to take pain relief, in line with your dentist's recommendations. 

More Serious Damage

Not all nerve damage is self-correcting. To limit any damage when the nerve is suspected to be especially aggravated, it might be necessary to remove the implant. The nerve must then be allowed to heal, involving the use of oral steroids, along with anti-inflammatory medication. Failure to intervene can result in permanent nerve damage. After the nerve has recovered, the implant can be reinstalled. 

In the days following tooth implant placement, you should begin to feel like you're recovering. When the opposite is true, contact your dentist without delay.