5 things patients believe about implants that simply aren't true

Myth 1: "Dental implants are extremely painful"

This is the one we hear most often, and it's the one patients are most surprised to have disproved by their own experience. Implant placement is performed under local anaesthetic — the same type used for a routine filling. You will feel pressure and movement, but not pain.

Post-procedure soreness is typically described as similar to a tooth extraction: manageable with over-the-counter pain relief for 2–3 days. The vast majority of our patients tell us it was far less uncomfortable than they anticipated.

Myth 2: "Implants often fail"

In the hands of an experienced implant surgeon, implant success rates exceed 95% over ten years. Failures do happen, but they are statistically uncommon and are more likely with smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, or poor surgical technique. Choosing an implant surgeon over a generalist significantly reduces risk.

Myth 3: "I'm too old for implants"

There is no upper age limit for dental implants. What matters is general health and bone density, not age. We regularly treat patients in their 70s and 80s with excellent outcomes. The minimum age is 18 (or when jaw growth is complete), but there is no maximum.

Myth 4: "The implant will look fake"

Modern implant crowns are made from ceramic or zirconia matched precisely to your existing teeth in shape, size and shade. When placed correctly, they are indistinguishable from natural teeth — even to dental professionals.

Myth 5: "You can't eat normally with implants"

The opposite is true. One of the most common pieces of feedback we receive from patients is how much their diet improved after treatment. Implants function like natural teeth — you can eat anything a natural tooth can handle. Many patients with full arch restorations tell us they can eat foods they haven't enjoyed in years.