...
footer icon1 footer icon2
Dentistry
footer icon11 footer icon22
Face
bloger thumb

Do Dental Implants Hurt

When people are looking to replace missing teeth with dental implants they are often worried about whether the procedure might hurt and if there is any discomfort, how much will there be? These are valid concerns and so this blog post is designed to take a look at these in more detail and answer these important questions.

As with many dental treatments it is often the thought of the treatment itself that is more painful than the reality; with modern equipment, techniques and materials dental pain has been significantly reduced in recent years.

The diagnostic stages for dental implants will almost certainly be totally comfortable as the procedure is minimally invasive. It simply involves using a soft wax to record the relationship between your top and bottom teeth and you should experience no pain whatsoever.

Having the dental implants placed

The actual placement of the dental implants will always be done under anesthetic, normally a local injection is required, although if you are especially nervous we can also offer dental sedation.

It’s important to remember that fear of the dentist can often be overcome by carefully explaining exactly what will be happening and why – no nasty surprises is what I tell my patients and then ensuring a comfortable and painless experience.  Calmness- a pleasant non-threatening ambience and even background music all help.

Happy air sedation or R.A. Sedation for dental implants

Happy air which uses a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide carefully mixed or dosed to suit each individual will successfully  overcome mild to moderate dental anxiety in about 95% of cases, our patients use a small, soft, sterile nose piece to breathe the air and nitrous oxide mix.

This starts before any treatment begins and with the mouth closed. Once relaxed and with a warm feeling of well-being, the mouth is opened when we ask. You are aware of what is happening, can speak to us if you wish but most people are just too calm and relaxed to be bothered. The happy air mix is breathed throughout the entire treatment and at the end; the mix is changed to 100% oxygen for 2-3 minutes. At the time you are sufficiently recovered and alert to return to the patient lounge.

We will make sure you are OK before you leave and this will only take a few more minutes.

We advice people not to drive for at least 30 minutes but returning to work is not a problem.

IV (Intravenous) sedation for implants

This involves a small injection and soft cannula inserted in the vein in the back of the hand or on the front of the arm at the bend of the elbow just like having a blood sample taken at the doctor.  This will overcome most people’s moderate to severe anxiety and also help many phobics.

Intravenous Conscious Sedation (aka “IV sedation”) is also often called ‘sleep dentistry’ or ‘twilight dentistry’ although this is slightly confusing as you will not actually be asleep, rather you will be in your own twilight world where nothing at all matters – a very nice place to be!

You’ll also be able to understand and respond to requests from your dentist. Although most people report that they have little or no memory of what happened afterwards.

We recommend that you do not go back to work, drive or operate equipment after IV sedation plus you ought to have a chaperon to ensure that you return home safely afterwards.

Pain after having dental implants

Immediate post operative pain

Once the initial anesthetic has worn off it is likely that you will feel sore for a few days after having the implants placed. This is normally considered mild pain which can be controlled with over the counter pain reliever. If you experience more serious pain then you should always go back to your dentist and seek further advice from them.

This is one of the main reasons we recommend that you don’n go overseas for treatment, if you experience post operative dental implant pain and your dentist is thousands of miles away over seas, what do you do? Seeing an experienced UK dental implant dentist will ensure that this does not happen.

Pain after uncovering of the implant

In some cases the dental implant will be placed in the normal way but will be underneath your gum and totally unseen whilst it integrates with the bone around it, ready to accept the new crown on top in a few months time.

If this is how your dental implant dentist chooses to work then you may have to go back to the practice to have the implant uncovered. This is a relatively minor procedure but may necessitate some more surgery and stitches which could result in mild pain afterwards.

Summary

If dental implants were a truly painful procedure then no patient would ever go ahead! The reality is that with the techniques used above the whole process can be relatively comfortable with only mild pain as the norm.

Evolve Dentistry is a dental practice in Portishead on the outskirts of Bristol offering dental implants as a a way to replace missing teeth for the people of Bristol, Portishead and Cleveland.

back to blog

Get in touch

Tooth Whitening & Hygiene Appointment

At Home Whitening With Hygiene

£29.95

Learn more

Dental Health Plan

Options for all treatments

New Patients Welcome

We are accepting new patients, book an introduction call today

Book An Introduction Call
We are on Instagram
Can you spot the odd object? 🔍

This summer, we’re proud to be taking part in the RNLI Portishead Lifeboat Station Spot the Odd Object trail! 🚤❤️

From 25 July to 29 August, explore Portishead, visit participating businesses and see if you can spot the mystery object hidden in each window - including ours here at Evolve Dentistry!

Not only is it a great way to enjoy a family day out, but every £5 entry helps support the incredible volunteers at RNLI Portishead Lifeboat Station, who work tirelessly to help keep people safe at sea.

📍 Visit our practice and see if you can find our hidden object.
👀 Don’t forget to complete your entry form for your chance to win one of the fantastic cash prizes!

If you take part, we’d love to see your photos - tag Evolve Dentistry and let us know when you’ve found our mystery object!

Good luck… and happy spotting! 🔎💙

#Portishead #RNLI #SpotTheOddObject #SupportLocal #FamilyFun #EvolveDentistry #PortisheadEvents #SummerHolidays
Will composite bonding damage my teeth?

It’s a common concern, especially for patients who want to improve their smile while protecting their natural teeth.

The good news is that composite bonding is often one of the most conservative cosmetic dental treatments available. In many cases, little or no preparation of the tooth is required, meaning your natural tooth structure can be preserved.

Composite bonding can be used to improve the appearance of:

✔ Chipped teeth
✔ Small gaps between teeth
✔ Uneven tooth shapes
✔ Worn edges
✔ Minor imperfections

Because the treatment is minimally invasive, many patients choose composite bonding when they want to enhance their smile without significant changes to their natural teeth.

Every smile is unique, so we’ll always discuss your options and explain exactly what’s involved before any treatment begins.

📍 Evolve Dentistry, Portishead

#Northsomerset #multiawardwinning #patientsatisfaction #patientsfirst #compositebonding #smilemakeovers #cosmeticdentistry #newpatients #naturalteeth #healthysmiles #healthysmile #acceptingnewpatients #nailsea #portishead #clevedon #portisheadmarina #dentist #smiledesign #bonding #confidentsmile #cosmeticsmile
Reading comments like this reminds us why we do what we do.

Helping people feel comfortable and cared for is just as important as providing great dentistry.

Thank you for your kind words.
You could be grinding your teeth every night… without even knowing it. 😴

Many people assume they’d know if they were clenching or grinding their teeth.

In reality, most don’t.

As Richard explains, while we’re asleep our brains continue processing the events and stresses of the day. For some people, that stress is released through clenching or grinding their teeth - but because the part of the brain that would normally recognise it is effectively switched off during sleep, we often have no idea it’s happening.

Over time, tooth grinding can contribute to:
• Worn or chipped teeth
• Jaw pain or stiffness
• Morning headaches
• Sensitive teeth
• Disrupted sleep

If you’ve noticed any of these symptoms, it’s worth mentioning them at your next appointment. We can look for the signs of tooth grinding and discuss ways to help protect your teeth before more damage occurs.

Have you ever been told you grind your teeth, or has someone heard you doing it while you sleep?

#ToothGrinding #Bruxism #HealthySmile #DentalHealth #Portishead #EvolveDentistry
✨ Looking for a role where people matter?

We’re searching for a new Front of House Team Member to join our award-winning team at Evolve Dentistry.

This isn’t just about answering the phone or booking appointments.

It’s about creating the kind of welcome that makes people feel relaxed from the moment they walk through our doors. It’s remembering the little things, taking pride in every interaction and helping deliver an experience that patients genuinely talk about.

If you’re warm, organised, love looking after people and enjoy being part of a supportive team, we’d love to hear from you.

Experience in dentistry isn’t essential. We’re looking for the right person with the right attitude - someone who genuinely enjoys making a difference to someone’s day.

If that sounds like you, or someone you know, we’d love to hear from you - hello@evolve-dentistry.co.uk

📍 Portishead
💙 Award-winning team culture
☕ Every patient welcomed like a guest

Please share this post with anyone who might be the perfect fit.
🚦 Travelling to Evolve? Please allow a little extra time.

If you’re visiting us over the next few weeks, please be aware that there are temporary traffic lights on the Portbury Hundred until 10th August, which are causing delays, particularly at busier times of the day.

We’d hate for your journey to add any unnecessary stress, so if you have an appointment with us, we’d recommend allowing a little extra travel time.

If you think you may be delayed, please give our reception team a call and we’ll do everything we can to help.

Thank you for your patience, and we look forward to welcoming you to the practice. 💙
“Great patient focus and excellent staff and facilities.”

Those few words mean a great deal to us.

Because creating an exceptional experience isn’t just about modern facilities - it’s about making every person who walks through our doors feel welcomed, listened to and genuinely cared for.

Every interaction matters, from your first phone call to the moment you leave the practice.

Thank you to everyone who shared their feedback in our recent patient survey. Your kind words remind us why we do what we do, and inspire us to keep making every experience the best that it can be. 💙

#EvolveDentistry #PatientExperience #PatientFeedback #Portishead #Compassion #ExceptionalCare
footer icon1 footer icon2
Dentistry
footer icon11 footer icon22
Face
Google rating