Yes, 20 dives before, then 10 after. The implants were placed under anesthetic and were not painful when I awoke. They are topped with screw on caps to keep food out. NO chewing. Usual healing time is 3 months, but for rad patients, it can be 6 or more. It has been about 2.5 years since I had the procedure. They work fine, just about like teeth, but need to be cleaned differently as you cannot floss. There are two kinds of dentures: fixed, removable only by dentist; and snap out, which are much easier to clean. I have the fixed variety because my dentist says they are better. His opinion. I wish I could pop them out. You will be given antibiotics after the surgery. Be sure to take them all. Your docs are correct -- other than the expense, it is not a big deal.

There is always the possibility that one of more of the implants will not integrate properly and will need to be replaced. This does not involve anesthesia, but does extend the time until the denture. My very nice dentist made some lower false teeth that fit over the healing caps, just for show, not for eating. You might be able to have those too. I had an immediate upper denture, no implants, but I am not sure how you would be able to hold "for show only" upper teeth in -- maybe with denture glue. Anyway, there are options.

Bottom line, implants are not just like real teeth, but they work very, very well. The teeth are aligned very carefully with the posts, because the pressure of eating stimulates the bone just as it does with real roots, thus keeping the bone healthy. I know you will be pleased.