Implant bridge placed but it's not comfortable, what can I do?

LightlyGo

So after years of reading this board I finally took advice from it and decided to get implants to replace 3 teeth I lost in shall we say an unfortunate event! My very back tooth was able to be rescued with a crown but I lost the 3 right next to it on the upper right hand side.

You were all right, the implant procedure itself was an absolute breeze, no trouble.

I had the teeth placed this week and I'm not finding them comfortable. The implant itself is ok, it's not sore to bite on.
However my own teeth next to it leading across to my front teeth feel very uncomfortable. They're sore to bite on, feel really tight and there's a strange fragile feeling there, like I feel if I bit on something hard they'd shatter. It's not just a psychological thing, it's a physical sensation. I've had the implant since Monday and they've improved a little, they were very painful Monday night but now the pain is less intense when eating but the fragile,tight, "oh god they will shatter" feeling remains.

My dentist was away last week and won't be back until Friday. I was wondering if this feeling is normal and if it will go away in time or do I need to do something about it? Is there anything I can do myself to help?

I'm really hoping it's not normal, after so much time and saving up I would feel really disappointed if I'm left feeling worse than before. While I very much missed those teeth I was never uncomfortable before this.
Any advice from anyone who has been there would be hugely welcome and appreciated.

davo10

Op, your natural teeth have nerve endings in them which tell your brain when your teeth are in contact, the sensation prevents you from biting your teeth too hard together and shattering them. Also natural teeth have tiny fibres called periodontal ligaments which act like shock absorbers, they allow your teeth to move slightly to absorb the loads placed on them, again so that they don't shatter when you bite on something hard.

When you are missing a tooth/teeth, the opposing teeth have nothing to bite against and the teeth in front/behind have noting pressing against them. When you have an implant crown/bridge placed, the sensation from the nerves in the opposing teeth and the fibres under the adjacent/opposing teeth can be uncomfortable for a time. Patients sometimes describe the bridge as being "too tight", "odd" or "in the way". The most important thing is that when you close, all of your opposing natural teeth must be able to contact each other, the bridge must not prevent the teeth contacting. If your teeth are contacting, don't worry, that sensation you are feeling will go in time as the bridge "settles in", if the natural teeth are not contacting, your dentist may need to make some minor adjustments, this will make it feel a lot better.

You were probably without teeth for over a year at least, sometimes it takes a little time to get used to having solid teeth again. It'll come right, don't worry.

spaceHopper

7ve only had one implant not three but it took about two months for it to feel natural and at first it did feel like it was pushing on other teeth

btkm8unsl0w5r4

I agree with the above advice, also often an implant restoration can press on the adjacent teeth and it take a little time for it to fade out. The implant is so solid that only the other tooth can move. Its a good signs that it all fits nice and snug.

Give it time it will feel like it grew there in a few weeks.

If you get any pain, swelling, bleeding or anything loose see your dentist asap.

good luck

fitzgeme

LightlyGo

I can't thank you all enough for that advice. I have had a knot in my stomach about it the last few days ,it would be such an expensive mistake for me,and it is quite uncomfortable. It's a real relief that it is normal and that it will come right. I'll sleep better tonight. Thanks so much.

Davo10 thanks particularly for taking the time with such a detailed explanation.

LightlyGo

Just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who replied to me here.
The implant has completely settled,I have no pain or discomfort anymore and I'm really happy with it.
Everyone who answered here gave me huge hope that weekend, it was so much appreciated.