Quick answer: DOES IT HURT?
NO. Placing a dental implant under local anaesthetic is not painful. Patients themselves say it was „surprisingly painless", „easier than an extraction", „I barely felt a thing".
What you do feel:
- Vibrations while the implant site is being prepared (like having a tooth drilled)
- A sensation of pressure
- The sound of the instruments
After the procedure the pain is minimal and easily managed with simple painkillers (Lekadol, Ibuprofen).
Why do patients expect pain?
Before an implant procedure, most patients feel heightened fear. The reasons:
- Childhood memories — painful procedures in the 1980s and 1990s, when anaesthesia was not as effective as it is today
- Forums and rumours — negative experiences without context (a poorly performed procedure, an inexperienced dentist)
- A mental picture — the idea of „a screw being drilled into the bone" is frightening for the uninitiated
- General dentophobia — fear of the dentist is among the most common phobias in the developed world
We understand this. That is why at Koderman we take the time to explain to you in detail, before the procedure, exactly what will happen.
Note: in search engines, patients often type the term „implat" or „implent" instead of the correct _implant_. It refers to the same procedure — the dental implant — and everything we describe in this article applies to it.
1. Topical anaesthetic (gel)
First I apply a gel anaesthetic to the gum, which numbs the spot where the injection will go. This in itself reduces the sensation of the prick.
2. Local anaesthetic (injection)
With a fine needle I inject a local anaesthetic (articaine or lidocaine). Onset of action: 2–3 minutes. The anaesthesia lasts 1.5–4 hours, depending on the agent chosen.
The injection itself is barely noticeable, because the spot has first been numbed with gel.
3. Sedation (if needed)
For very anxious patients or extensive procedures (subperiosteal implants, All-on-4), I can add oral or intravenous sedation. The patient stays awake but is relaxed and barely remembers the procedure.
Sedation is optional and is suggested to you at the consultation if it makes sense.
Pain _during_ the procedure
Once the local anaesthetic takes effect, the entire jaw area is numb. You do not feel pain.
What you do feel:
- Vibrations — preparing the implant site is similar to drilling teeth, only more intense
- Pressure — as the implant is screwed into the bone, there is a sensation of mechanical pressure
- Sound — the drilling instrument is audible (headphones with music are available if you wish)
- Water in the mouth (the assistant suctions it away regularly)
If you start to feel anything uncomfortable during the procedure, simply raise your hand — I stop and, if needed, add more anaesthetic.
After the procedure — the first 24 hours
The anaesthesia wears off 1.5–4 hours after the procedure. At that point you begin to feel the operated site:
- Mild swelling of the face (cheek) — peaking on day 2–3, completely gone within 7 days
- A sensation of pressure at the implant site
- Mild pain — similar to the feeling after a tooth extraction
- Minor bleeding — normal in the first 24 hours
Recommended painkillers: Lekadol (paracetamol) 500–1000 mg every 6 hours, or Ibuprofen 400 mg every 8 hours. Over the counter. Most patients take 1–2 doses, after which there is no more pain.
Do not: aspirin (bleeding risk), alcohol for the first 24 hours, smoking for 48 hours.
After the procedure — the first 7 days
Over the following week:
- Days 1–3: mild swelling, a sensation of pressure, mild pain (manageable)
- Days 4–7: swelling subsides, no pain or only very mild pain
- Days 7–10: removal of the stitches, a short check-up
Most patients return to work the very next day after the procedure (if the work is not physically demanding).
Pain by type of implant
| Procedure | Duration | Pain after the procedure | |-------|----------|-------------------| | One implant | 30 min | Minimal, 1–2 days | | Several implants (2–3) | 60 min | Mild, 2–3 days | | All-on-4 (4 implants + bridge) | 90–120 min | Pressure sensation 2–3 days | | All-on-6 (6 implants) | 120 min | Pressure sensation 3–4 days | | Sinus lift + implant | 60–90 min | Mild facial swelling 3–5 days | | Subperiosteal implants | 90–120 min (with sedation) | Swelling + sensation 5–7 days |
For all of them: painless during the procedure, manageable with simple painkillers afterwards.
Anxious patients
If you have dentophobia, oral sedation (a tablet half an hour before the procedure) or intravenous sedation allows you to get through the procedure in a relaxed state. You will remember very little of it.
Older patients (65+)
Implants are entirely suitable for older people. Tolerance of local anaesthetic is good. All that matters is the general health assessment (blood pressure, anticoagulants).
Children and adolescents
In children we do not place implants before the age of 18 (the jaw must finish growing). In rare cases (after a serious injury) we may begin at 16 with an explicit indication.
Honest patient experiences
„I thought it would be worse. Without exaggerating, it was easier than a tooth extraction." — A patient who had 2 implants in the upper jaw
„I went back to work the second day. I ate soup, and the next day already had normal (soft) food." — A patient after an All-on-4 procedure
„I had 8 implants at once. Lekadol the first 2 days, then nothing. Now, three years on, I eat nuts and meats just as I did before losing my teeth." — A patient with a full rehabilitation
Frequently asked questions
Will it hurt once the anaesthesia wears off?
Mild pain is possible. Take a painkiller before the anaesthesia wears off completely (about 1.5 hours after the procedure) — this way you avoid „falling behind".
Do I need to take any medication before the procedure?
No, unless I prescribe it (antibiotics for extensive procedures or subperiosteal implants). Have a light meal beforehand — do not come to the procedure hungry or tired.
How long does the pain last after the procedure?
For a single implant: 1–2 days, minimal. For All-on-4: 2–3 days of a pressure sensation. After 7 days most patients feel completely normal.
Will I be frightened?
Fear is natural. Before the procedure I explain every step to you, you can listen to music, I can prescribe a sedative. You are not alone.
I have a very low pain tolerance — what now?
Tell me at the consultation. We can use a longer-lasting anaesthetic, I can add a sedative, or we can split the procedure across several sessions. Your comfort is the priority.
Will it hurt when you place the tooth (crown) on the implant?
No. Placing the crown is painless and is done after osseointegration is complete (3–6 months after the implant). Anaesthesia is usually not required.