No, not during the procedure itself, and the research on this is more reassuring than most people expect. The placement itself happens under local anaesthetic, so you shouldn’t feel pain while it’s happening. What you feel afterward, once the anaesthetic wears off, is real but manageable, and research comparing implants directly to tooth extraction found implants came out less painful, not more. Here’s what actually happens, at each stage.
Key Takeaways
- You shouldn’t feel pain during implant placement itself, it’s done under local anaesthetic
- A crossover study where the same patients had both a tooth extraction and an implant found they reported significantly less pain from the implant
- What you feel afterward is typically mild-to-moderate discomfort and swelling, manageable with standard painkillers
- Anxious about the procedure itself, rather than the pain? Conscious sedation is available separately from pain control
- DRA Dental talks through what to expect for your specific case at your Day 1 assessment, not a generic script
What You Actually Feel During the Procedure
Dental implant placement is done under local anaesthetic, the same type of numbing injection used for a filling or an extraction. Once the area is numb, you shouldn’t feel pain during the procedure itself, you may notice pressure or vibration from the instruments, but not sharp or shooting pain. If numbness starts to wear off mid-procedure, more anaesthetic is given, that’s a normal, expected adjustment, not a sign anything has gone wrong.
Rebecca, a 41-year-old from Southampton, had put off a single implant for two years partly because she assumed it would feel like what she’d read about online, worse than a tooth extraction. When our dental team explained that the placement itself is done under the same local anaesthetic as a filling, and that most of what she was picturing was actually about the recovery, not the procedure, she went ahead. She described the appointment itself as “honestly less unpleasant than I expected, mostly just pressure.”
What the Research Actually Shows
A crossover study published in the Annals of Maxillofacial Surgery had the same group of patients undergo both a tooth extraction and a dental implant placement, then rate their pain on a standard scale at multiple points afterward, according to a study comparing pain after tooth extraction and dental implant placement. Because the same patients experienced both procedures, they could compare them directly rather than relying on separate groups. The result: patients reported significantly less pain after the implant than after the extraction, and the implant pain decreased faster over the following days. A separate study measuring pain at 24, 48, and 72 hours found a similar pattern, lower average pain scores for implant placement than for extraction at every time point measured.
This runs against the common assumption that implant surgery, because it sounds more involved, must hurt more than “just” having a tooth pulled. The research doesn’t support that assumption.
What You Feel After the Anaesthetic Wears Off
The numbness wears off within a few hours, and what follows is typically mild-to-moderate discomfort and some swelling, similar to what you’d expect after a straightforward extraction, not a sharp, escalating pain. This is usually manageable with standard over-the-counter painkillers, and tends to ease noticeably within the first few days as swelling settles.
Not sure what to expect for your specific case? Send your details via WhatsApp, and our dental team can talk you through your case before you book anything.
Anxiety vs Pain: Two Different Things
Some patients aren’t actually worried about pain, they’re anxious about the procedure itself, the sounds, the sitting-still, the general experience of dental work. That’s a separate issue from pain control, and it has a separate solution. As covered in our guide to sedation and general anaesthesia, conscious sedation is available for patients where anxiety, not pain tolerance, is the real barrier. It’s worth naming which one applies to you when you talk to your dental team, since the plan for each is different.
What Happens After You Leave the Chair
Once you’re back at your hotel, the pattern most patients describe is manageable discomfort for the first few days, gradually easing rather than getting worse. Our recovery timeline guide covers what to expect week by week in more detail, but the short version is: the peak of any discomfort is early and predictable, not a surprise that shows up later.
What DRA Dental Does to Manage Pain and Anxiety
Pain and anxiety aren’t treated as an afterthought at DRA Dental. Our approach:
- Local anaesthetic for every implant placement, the same standard used for routine dental work
- A direct conversation about anxiety versus pain concerns at your Day 1 assessment, so the right solution, sedation or reassurance, is offered for the right problem
- Clear guidance on post-procedure pain management, including what’s normal and what to flag
- WhatsApp aftercare, for any question about pain or swelling that feels different from what you were told to expect
Results may vary based on individual pain tolerance and case complexity, and that’s part of why this is discussed directly rather than promised as a blanket “painless” experience.
Practical Steps If You’re Worried About Pain
A few things genuinely help going in:
- Separate pain concerns from anxiety concerns when you talk to your dental team, since each has a different solution
- Ask what to expect for your specific case, single implant cases and full-arch cases are different experiences
- Have standard painkillers on hand for the first few days after placement, as advised by your dental team
- Flag anything that feels like it’s getting worse rather than better, rather than assuming it’s normal
None of this guarantees a specific experience, but each step replaces guessing with an actual plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do dental implants hurt during the procedure?
No, not typically. Placement is done under local anaesthetic, so you shouldn’t feel pain during the procedure itself, only pressure or vibration from the instruments.
Is getting a dental implant more painful than a tooth extraction?
Research suggests the opposite. A study where the same patients experienced both procedures found they reported significantly less pain after the implant than after the extraction.
How long does dental implant pain last?
Discomfort is typically most noticeable in the first 24 to 72 hours, then eases. Most patients manage it with standard over-the-counter painkillers.
What if I’m anxious about the procedure rather than worried about pain?
That’s a separate issue with a separate solution. Conscious sedation is available for patients where anxiety, not pain tolerance, is the main concern.
Will DRA Dental tell me honestly what to expect?
Yes. Pain and anxiety are discussed directly at your Day 1 assessment, based on your specific case, not a generic script.
Where is DRA Dental Clinic located?
DRA Dental Clinic is located in Kundu, Lara Beach, Antalya, Turkey.
Part of Türkiye's Official Health Tourism Program
Ministry of Health Authorization Certificate
A Realistic Picture
Dental implant placement itself shouldn’t hurt, it’s done under local anaesthetic, and the research directly comparing it to tooth extraction found it came out less painful, not more. What follows is manageable discomfort for a few days, not an ordeal. What matters is an honest conversation about your specific case, and separating genuine pain concerns from procedure anxiety, so the right kind of support is offered either way.
Send your details via WhatsApp, or get in touch to talk through what to expect for your specific case before you book anything.