Surprisingly, dentals implant are not as painful as they may appear. Dentals implant are an extremely complex procedure, so they will only be carried out by the most experienced of dentists, who will know how to administer dental care as painlessly as possible. Also, dentals implant will be administered with anaesthetic injections, so the treatment will be as pain-free as possible.

Conscious sedation

Conscious sedation is the method of using certain sedatives to make the entire process more relaxing. There are multiple forms of sedation available, each one will provide a different level of relief. This kind of treatment is not a replacement for anaesthetic, but an additional measure to keep you calm and relaxed. It will make it easier to approach treatment that you may have been concerned about before, or treatment that you may have disrupted due to anxiety.

Intravenous sedation

This option is the most effective, as the sedative flows directly into the bloodstream via an IV. Intravenous sedation is extremely safe and will be injected in a controlled manner. However, most dental practices will understand that this is not always the most desirable option, and many practices will offer inhalation sedation as an alternative. This works by placing a small mask over the nose and mouth, for you to naturally breathe in the gas to feel more relaxed and content.

I am still nervous about visiting the dentist. What are other ways to feel better?

 Many dentists will have a virtual tour available on their website, so that you can take a look around the practice, before you enter. This can be a great way to get a feel for the place if you are a new patient. If you are not a new patient, but still feel nervous, then simply discuss with your dentist that you feel nervous. Anxiety around the dentist is perfectly normal and is a very common issue. The best thing to recommend is to speak to staff beforehand, letting them know your situation, and they will be happy to help, as many dental practices have specific programmes in place.

I am nervous about what my tooth will look like. Is there any way of knowing?

Receiving a dental implant can be nerve racking, due to the permanency of the implant. As the implant is fused into the bone, unless there is any damage, it will remain there for life. Therefore, receiving an implant is a large procedure, and may take some time to adjust to. However, the implant itself will be completely invisible, as it is inside the jawbone and gums. The crown on top will be the visible part, which will be adjusted to look as natural as possible. Many people often forget which tooth they have had the implant for! Equally, as the false tooth is attached to the implant, a dentist can easily replace the crown if it becomes worn or cracked, while the implant will remain the same as ever. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.