Getting a dental implant is generally much less painful than people anticipate because the procedure is performed under local anesthesia. During the surgery, you will feel pressure and vibration from the dental tools, but you shouldn’t feel sharp pain. The real discomfort typically begins a few hours later, once the numbing wears off.
Most patients describe this as a dull, throbbing ache similar to a deep bruise in the jaw or the aftermath of a tough tooth extraction. Swelling and minor gum sensitivity are common for about three to five days. Fortunately, most of this is easily managed with over-the-counter anti-inflammatories. If you follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions, the physical recovery is usually more of a minor annoyance than a true ordeal.