Does the Dental Implant Procedure Hurt? Myths vs. Reality

If the thought of dental implant surgery makes you cringe, you are not alone. The idea of having a metal post placed into your jawbone sounds undeniably painful. It is the number one reason patients hesitate to book the procedure.

However, ask almost anyone who has actually had it done, and they will tell you: the anticipation was far worse than the reality. In fact, many patients report that getting an implant was easier than getting a tooth pulled.

The procedure itself is completely painless. You will be under local anesthesia (and often sedation options like nitrous oxide or IV sedation if you are anxious). The area will be thoroughly numbed. You may feel some vibration or slight pressure, but you will not feel sharp pain.

Interestingly, jawbone has very few pain-sensing nerves compared to teeth. Once the gum tissue is numb, drilling into the bone is not painful in the way drilling into a sensitive tooth is.

As the anesthesia wears off, you will experience some tenderness. This is a surgery, after all. However, it is usually a dull ache rather than sharp pain. Most dentists recommend taking over-the-counter medication (like Ibuprofen/Advil) *before* the numbness wears off to stay ahead of the discomfort.

You might experience some minor swelling or bruising on your cheek, which peaks around day 3. By the end of the first week, most patients feel completely normal and have returned to their regular diet (though avoiding very hard foods on that side is wise). If you have severe pain after a few days, it is not normal, and you should call your dentist.

Most patients agree: extracting a tooth causes more lingering trauma and soreness than placing an implant. An extraction leaves an open socket that needs to heal. An implant placement is precise, clean, and the gum is often stitched closed immediately, leading to faster, more comfortable healing.