Pennington Dental

Dental Implants

The question that stops patients from booking

Fear of pain is one of the most common reasons patients delay pursuing dental implant treatment, sometimes for years. This is understandable, the idea of a surgical procedure on your jaw sounds significant. But the gap between what most patients imagine and what they actually experience is considerable. Let us explain what the procedure genuinely involves.

Dental Implant Dentists

Not all dentists are the same, and this is certainly true for those that niche down into the dental implant area. Dr Jesal restricts his dentistry to only placing and restoring implants from single implants to full mouths (usually 4-6 implants on the upper jaw and from as little as 2 implant on the lower jaw). He is super experienced and has built his skill over the last 16 years placing over 180 implants a year. He coaches and trains other dentists and regularly teaches at Liverpool University.

During the implant placement procedure

Implant placement is performed under local anaesthetic. The area is thoroughly numbed before we begin, and we do not proceed until you have confirmed you cannot feel anything. The procedure involves no sensation of pain, you may be aware of pressure and movement, as you would be during any dental treatment, but sharp or painful sensations should not occur. If at any point during the procedure you feel anything uncomfortable, raise your hand and we stop immediately.

The most consistent feedback we receive from patients after implant placement is surprise — they expected far worse than they experienced. A significant proportion of our implant patients tell us they found the procedure easier to manage than a tooth extraction and frequently choose to have another dental Implant with our senior Implant dentist Dr Jesal.

Immediately after the procedure

Once the local anaesthetic wears off, usually two to four hours after the procedure, you will likely experience some soreness and tenderness at the implant site. This is normal and expected. For most patients, this is entirely manageable with standard over-the-counter pain relief such as ibuprofen or paracetamol, taken as directed. We recommend taking pain relief before the anaesthetic wears off rather than waiting until discomfort begins. we will provide anafter care pack of pain relief and an ice pack to help ease the site.

Some swelling is normal in the first 24 to 72 hours. Applying a cold compress to the outside of the face in the first few hours after surgery helps to minimise this. Most patients find they can resume normal activities the following day, though we recommend avoiding strenuous exercise for a few days.

The healing period

During the osseointegration period, the three to six months over which the implant bonds with the bone. The implant site should cause no significant discomfort. The area may feel slightly different from surrounding teeth, and there may be occasional mild sensitivity, but pain during this period is not expected. If you experience persistent pain, swelling, or anything that concerns you, contact us promptly, it is always better to check.

Managing anxiety about the procedure

If dental anxiety is a significant concern for you, please tell us at your consultation. We are experienced at working with anxious patients and take time to explain each step before proceeding. Our use of Straumann implants, one of the most refined implant systems available, and in-house CBCT scanning from May 2026 means your treatment is planned and delivered to the highest standard, which in itself reduces the chance of unexpected complications.

Finance is available through Tabeo, so the financial aspect of treatment does not need to be a source of added stress. We are happy to walk you through all the costs and payment options at your free consultation.

The honest summary

Dental implant surgery is not painless, there is soreness and swelling in the post-operative period and for the vast majority of patients, it is significantly more manageable than they anticipated. When weighed against the long-term benefits of a permanent, natural-feeling tooth replacement, almost every patient who goes through the process tells us it was worth it.

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