Pain-free implant placement under local anaesthesia

After thorough diagnostics and planning comes the placement of the implant. With precise pain control, implants can be placed without pain. The method of pain control can be chosen individually and matched exactly to the procedure. Implants can be placed with the patient calm, relaxed and free of fear. The implant is placed in the jawbone as an outpatient procedure under local anaesthetic, under sedation (twilight sleep) or, if the patient wishes, under general anaesthesia. Most implant procedures can be carried out without difficulty under local anaesthetic.

Local anaesthesia allows pain-free treatment in most cases and is sufficient for the majority of implant placements. Its advantages are that the patient can cooperate during the procedure, that the medical risk is low, and that it takes less time and costs less. The patient does not have to be looked after and continuously monitored by an anaesthetist.

For longer and more complex treatments, light sedation can make things easier for the patient. Dentists and surgeons often offer anxious patients, or patients facing complicated procedures, twilight sleep or sedation in addition to the local anaesthetic. Sedation is an alternative to general anaesthesia. Patients remain conscious throughout the procedure; they are responsive and can follow instructions, but they will not remember the details of the placement. After waking up they are able to get on with things again relatively quickly.

Twilight sleep (analgosedation) can be particularly advisable for sensitive or anxious patients. Sedation and a tranquilliser make patients calmer and more relaxed, while the sensation of pain is switched off at the same time. Patients are placed in a relaxed state. The advantages of sedation: the patient does not have to fast and needs no preliminary examination. Sedation can be given promptly and immediately on an outpatient basis, and the patient is not exposed to the risks of a general anaesthetic. The smaller effort involved also means a considerably lighter burden on the patient.

General anaesthesia is advisable where many implants are being placed or where extensive bone grafting and augmentation is required. During treatment under general anaesthesia, patients are looked after by an experienced anaesthetist as they go under, during the procedure and while they come round. Before the operation begins, the anaesthetic agents are administered so that the patient drifts gently into deep sleep. The anaesthetist monitors bodily functions professionally and checks vital functions such as breathing, circulation, blood pressure and heart function. Since general anaesthesia dampens the drive to breathe, breathing has to be supported during treatment. Various methods are used: depending on the procedure and the patient's individual situation, the choice lies between intravenous intubation anaesthesia, mask anaesthesia and twilight sleep. Each of these can be combined with local pain control.

Before the procedure the dentist generally decides together with the patient, usually as early as the consultation, which form of pain control is right for them.

A normal implant placement usually takes less than an hour from the first incision to suturing the wound. There should be no pain afterwards. Complications after a dental implant is placed are rare – in experienced hands, placing an implant is a routine procedure.

Tissue-preserving, minimally invasive techniques reduce the surgical effort and allow the wound to heal faster.