Questions about dental implant - terrified!

[Fatfreefatball]

I've two missing upper front teeth due to a bridge which failed 2 years ago. It was a Maryland bridge and the dentist tried to stick it back but it did not work.
I managed by sticking it back in using Fixodent just for cosmetic purposes while I waited for my dentist to refer me for an implant. He's NHS and doesn't do implants.

I finally saw a private dentist in July last year and in November had a tooth root extracted in preparation. I would have a bridge but I am reluctant to damage 2 healthy teeth. I've had the scans and can have the implant any time, just need to book the appointment.

I am honestly terrified because I have a bit of a medical phobia and the thought of drilling into bone freaks me out! Makes me think of the film Marathon Man! I have to lie down to have blood tests or I feel faint. I don't have a dental phobia as such and can have fillings etc no problem.. I'm worried there will be lots of bleeding afterwards as I really don't like seeing lots of blood. I definitely don't want IV sedation as I would find the thought of a needle in the vein worse than an implant! Can I get Valium off the dentist? I must sound like a right wuss and my partner says I am a baby but I can't help it as I've always been this way.
Any positive stories?

I seem to be very much alone in having a horrid experience. My dentist left the practice, and the implants failed so I have to have them redone by another dentist in May (i have recurrent infections so they want those to settle and heal). When i mentioned how much pain I was in last time and how nervous I was he let slip that he had heard similar reports from said dentist and he was gentler and I shouldn't need diazepam but he will prescribe it prior for me. So maybe I just got unlucky. Sounds like it. I never had an issue with dentists before but now Im pretty traumatised tbh.

Hi OP, wondering if you got any further with this? I had my implant today, was nervous but drill was over quickly and no worse than a filling, in fact it was a lot quicker

@NecklessMumster I had it done yesterday. I almost cancelled but glad I went ahead as it wasn't as bad as expected. I had to have a bone graft and stitches as well.
The worst part was the 5 numbing injections, particularly the two in my palate - they were painful! No bruising or swelling and just took painkillers that day. I had some discomfort not from the implant site itself but where I had injections. It felt like sensitivity or nerve pain. Still very tender there around my nostril area. Took about an hour and I was amazed at the quietness of the drill.

Oh well done, sounds good but agree injections in roof of mouth not nice. Im a week ahead then 🙂 I was lucky my bone was good and having stitches out tomorrow, can't wait as they seem to have come adrift and hanging down in the gap 🤔