Dental implants: can this be a traumatic experience to the patient? this vs. a bridge?

Non traumatic: Definitely less traumatic than an extraction. There are pros and cons to bridge vs implant. Ask your dentist or an oral surgeon to go over all of the options. Factors include adequate bone for implant, sturdiness of teeth for prospective bridge, cost, other factors.

Should not be: In the hands of the experts this is a very routine and painless experience. Local anesthesia or conscious sedation depending on the treatment and needs of the patient. Typically only some gum tissue soreness for a few days. More conservative than a bridge and longer lasting results. Often close in cost .See Prosthodontist for evaluation and options. Good Luck.

Not Traumatic: I've been placing implants for over 25 years and I really cannot remember anyone being traumatized. Most, in fact, go about their business the next day. You'll be a little sore, but that is to be expected. Pain meds should take the edge off.

Good experience: With the profound local anesthesia and IV sedation you will have no recall of the events of the dental implant placement or experience any pain. Without IV this treatment is either completely painless, or only slightly uncomfortable. Best of luck!

Not if done right.: All depends on who's placing the implants and their respective skill level. I teach at NYU in the implant program and if the practitioner doesn't know how to make procedures like this as atraumatic as possible, then you should probably find someone that puts you at ease. Remember, no one wants to go to the dentist. Myself included. I'd rather be on the beach.