Does Placing an Abutment Hurt?

If you are in the middle of your implant treatment and have been called for your abutment placement appointment, it is common to wonder whether it hurts. In this blog, we will discuss what to expect during an abutment placement appointment and what you can do to manage discomfort.

What Is a Dental Abutment?

A dental abutment is a small metal or ceramic connector that attaches to the top of a dental implant. It can be placed at implant surgery (one-stage) or at a brief second visit (two-stage). An abutment sticks out slightly through the gum and serves as the base for your artificial tooth, known as a crown. The abutment is placed once your implant has successfully fused with the jawbone — a process called osseointegration.

Does Placing the Abutment Hurt?

Most people are relieved to hear that abutment placement is not painful. Before starting the procedure, your dentist will apply local anesthesia to numb the gums and jaw area. You might feel some pressure or vibration while the abutment is being attached, but there should be no pain. If anything feels "pinchy," they pause and add more anesthetic.

After the numbness wears off, you may notice a little discomfort, which is completely normal and temporary. It should go away in the advised timeline.

What to Expect After the Procedure?

Once the anesthesia wears off, it is common to experience mild symptoms such as:

• Slight tenderness or soreness around the implant site
• Swelling or light bruising on the gums
• Minor bleeding for the first 24 hours

These effects are part of the normal healing process and typically go away within a few days. If you feel any discomfort, you can take OTC acetaminophen or ibuprofen as directed; use any prescribed meds as instructed.

Possible Complications After Abutment Placement

Complications after abutment placement are rare, but they can happen. Common ones include:

• Infection around the implant area
• Gum irritation or inflammation
• Loosening of the abutment screw
• Persistent pain or unusual swelling

Call if you have persistent/worsening pain after 2–3 days, spreading swelling, fever, foul taste, or continuous bleeding.

Healing and Recovery After Abutment Placement

Recovery after abutment placement is usually smooth and quick. Most people feel back to normal within a few days, though tenderness can last for one to two weeks. If your dentist used a flapless surgical technique, which causes less gum trauma, healing may be even faster. Many patients return to their routine within a day or two.

During this time, it is best to avoid chewing hard foods near the treatment site, eat soft foods, and maintain good oral hygiene without brushing too aggressively.

Managing Discomfort Post Abutment

Here are simple ways to manage discomfort after abutment placement:

• Take pain relievers as recommended
• Use an ice pack 15-20 minutes on/off during the first 24–48 hours to reduce swelling
• Avoid touching or disturbing the area
• Gently brush and rinse your mouth
• Elevate your head when resting
• Start gentle salt-water rinses after 24 hours unless your surgeon advised otherwise

Final Word

Abutment placement is a quick process and does not cause much pain. Your dentist will numb the area so you might feel a little pressure. Apart from that, no pain is involved. Once the anesthesia loses effect, it is common to experience mild discomfort, which should go away within a few days. However, to manage discomfort, you can take prescribed medication or use an ice pack to reduce swelling.

At Get Implant , you can get abutments that meet the highest clinical standards. Call us at (713) 296-0329.