Dental implants are designed to replace missing teeth so well that they can look and function much like natural teeth. So, if you suddenly notice sensitivity around an implant, you may understandably wonder, “How can that happen when my implant doesn’t even have a nerve?”

The key is that the implant itself isn’t usually what’s feeling sensitive. Instead, discomfort may be coming from the gums, jawbone, implant crown, or another nearby tooth. And while some tenderness is expected during the early healing process, new or persistent sensitivity deserves your dentist’s attention.