[RickM]

I have one.

This is what I went through:

After spending thousands of $$$ on trying to save a molar (Root canals, crowns, hemisection etc) I decided to have the tooth pulled and go with an implant. I was lucky in that my wife was in the "business".

Off to the oral surgeon to have the gums around the tooth trimmed down (gingivual flap). Not too bad, a few stitches and a couple weeks to heal.
Next it was off to the dentist. She literally used an air drill to drill a pilot hole into the jaw bone. Then a small Ti appliance is inseted into a Ratchet.....yes like the the 1/4 inch jobber in your tool box....no kidding. The double sided bolt (for lack of a better description) is started slowly and increasing force is applied to screw this thing into your jaw bone. I can't tell you how uncomfortable it was to look up as my dentist used all her strength to do this. I was fine until I heard a cracking sound....in my jaw. Fuaaaa. She insisted it was fine. All in all, it wasn't that bad...well except for the cracking. What was that?
So, I go home with a nice bottle of Vicodin in case any pain rears it's head. Next day, fine...like nothing happened. Was I in the clear? Heh heh....the next (2nd) day I felt like I was kicked in the jaw by spiked steeltoes. The throbbing pain was endless. It lasted two or three more days.

In any case I feel this approach is superior to grinding two other teeth to accomodate a bridge. Implants typically last about 20 years and are relatively maitenance free.

Now do you remember when Morton Downey Jr. had his entire mouth done? Ouch!