Dental implants are becoming a more popular tooth replacement option for lost or damaged teeth. They can give you a beautiful, new smile that looks natural and replacement teeth that feel like your real teeth. However, despite their numerous benefits, most people still worry about surgical pain. Their concern is valid. After all, no one wants to experience pain, especially during dental procedures.
If you’re considering dental implants and wondering if patients are put to sleep during a dental implant procedure, here is what you need to know.
Are You Put To Sleep During the Dental Implant Procedure?
Dental implant surgery is a big decision, and it’s important to be as informed as possible about the entire process before you make a choice. One of the most common questions from patients is whether or not they will be put to sleep during the dental implant procedure. The answer is that it depends on the anaesthesia used.
In most cases, dental implant surgery can be performed using local anaesthesia. For patients who experience anxiety or who have a difficult time getting numb, sedation may be an option.
Different types of sedation are available for dental procedures, and your dentist or oral surgeon will work with you to determine an appropriate type of sedation for your needs.

What Are the Common Sedation Options for Treatment?
The sedation techniques used in dental implant surgery include the following:
- Inhaled sedation with the use of laughing gas:
You will be given a mask through which you will breathe in a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen. This type of sedation will make you feel lightheaded and relaxed. It will not put you to sleep, but you may not remember much of the surgical procedure afterwards. - Oral sedation:
You will be given a pill before surgery, making you drowsy. Depending on the type and dose of medication, you may or may not be asleep during the procedure. Intravenous (IV) sedation: This type of sedation will be administered through an IV in your arm. You will be closely monitored by the dental team and may not remember much of the procedure afterwards. - Deep sedation: This type of sedation will put you to sleep for the duration of the procedure. You will be monitored by the dental team and will not remember anything afterwards.
There are different forms of anaesthesia used in dental implant surgery. These are:
- Local anaesthesia:
This type of anaesthesia numbs the area around the implant site. You will be awake during the procedure but will not feel any pain. - Intravenous anaesthesia:
This type of anaesthesia is also known as “twilight sleep” or “conscious sedation.” With this type of anaesthesia, you will be sleepy and relaxed but still, be able to respond to questions and follow commands. This is ideal for patients with dental phobia. - General anaesthesia: With this type of anaesthesia, you will be asleep during the procedure. This is used to achieve deep sedation.
The type of anaesthesia used will depend on the extent of the surgery, your medical history, and your preferences. It is important to discuss your sedation options with your dental team before implant surgery to be comfortable and pain-free during the procedure.
Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?
Dental implant surgery is a dental treatment that has become increasingly popular in recent years. The surgery involves placing artificial tooth roots into the jaw bone, which can be used to support dental crowns, bridges, or dentures.
One of the biggest concerns patients have about dental implants is whether or not the surgery will be painful. The good news is that dental implant surgery can be performed pain-free, with the patient feeling at ease and comfortable.
Your dentist will use local anaesthesia to numb the area around the implant site so that you will not feel discomfort during the surgery. Although you may feel some pressure while having surgery, you should not feel any pain.
After the dental implant surgery, you may experience some soreness and swelling in the area, but this can be easily managed with over-the-counter pain medication and following your dentist’s instructions.
Dental implant surgery is a safe and effective procedure that should not cause major pain or discomfort.
Final Thoughts
Dental anxiety is normal. If you’re worried about painful dental implant surgery and wondering if you will be put to sleep during the procedure, the answer would depend on your pain tolerance. Various sedation options are available for you to remain comfortable and pain-free during dental implant placement.
The safety and well-being of our patients are always our top priority here at Clear Choice Dental. We understand that undergoing dental implant surgery can be a daunting experience, which is why we offer sedation options to help put our patients at ease.
If you have questions about dental implant surgery or sedation dentistry, please do not hesitate to contact us. You may book a consultation appointment through our website or call our dental clinic. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff would be more than happy to answer any of your questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dental implants offer several benefits over other dental treatments, such as bridges and dentures. Here are five of the main benefits of dental implants:
- Dental implants are strong and durable and can last for many years with proper care.
- Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth, so you can smile and speak confidently.
- Dental implants do not require special care; you can brush and floss them just like your natural teeth.
- Dental implants can help preserve your jaw bone’s health by stimulating new bone growth.
- Dental implants can improve oral health by making it easier to keep your mouth clean, preventing tooth decay and gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss.
While the surgery is generally safe, a few potential complications could occur. Here are five of the most common risks associated with dental implant surgery:
- Infection:
One of the most common risks of dental surgery is infection. The mouth is full of bacteria, and when dental implants are placed, there is a risk that these bacteria could infect the area around the implant. This could prolong healing time and lead to pain, inflammation, and in some cases, the need for further dental treatment. - Damage to surrounding teeth:
Another potential complication of this oral surgery is damage to the surrounding teeth. When the implant is placed, the oral surgeon will need to make an incision in the gum tissue. This could damage the nearby teeth and cause them to loosen or fall out. - Nerve damage:
Another risk associated with dental implant surgery is nerve damage. The nerves that run through your gums and bone can sometimes be damaged during the procedure. This can lead to numbness or tingling in your gums or teeth. In severe cases, it can also cause permanent nerve damage. - Allergic reaction:
In rare cases, patients may be allergic to the material used in dental implants. This could lead to swelling, redness, and itching around the implant site. You must contact a dental specialist immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. - Failure of dental implants:
In some cases, dental implants may fail to bond with your jawbone because your body rejects the foreign implant. This can cause the implants to loosen or fall out over time. If this happens, you will likely need to have the implants removed and replaced.
The dental implant procedure requires a series of appointments to place dental implants in the mouth. It starts with implant surgery to embed an implant in the jawbone and ends with the attachment of artificial teeth to the implant. This process can take several months to complete – or even longer if there’s extensive bone loss and bone grafting is needed.
Same-day implants are now available for those who do not want to wait months to complete their treatment. With same-day implants, a patient can have implants placed on the same day as tooth extraction, which will immediately be followed by the attachment of the artificial teeth. This way, the waiting time is reduced, and the patient can go home with a better smile.
Dental implants are designed to feel and function like your real teeth. You should be able to eat, speak, and smile normally after the implant procedure. Unlike other tooth replacement options, dental implants allow you to feel confident that your smile looks completely natural.
Since implants are embedded in the bone, it mimics the roots of natural teeth, which hold them in place. Aside from this, the artificial tooth attached to implants is designed to look like your remaining teeth. This way, dental implants provide patients with replacement teeth that look and feel like natural teeth.