I have one done about 6 years ago I think. It didn’t hurt – the drugs were weird though – I was very vaguely aware of the procedure and of rabitting on in the taxi home excitedly about everything I saw and then becoming obsessed at home about the curtains then promptly falling asleep. A weird out of body experience like nothing else! Done late afternoon, I was back at work the next morning with just an aching jaw and a hangover from hell.
Since then it’s been good, fingers crossed. I eliminated the other options that you mentioned. This was expensive but I viewed it as probably cheaper in the long run.
Chap who did it has a great reputation and is London-based – can let you have his details. You need to ensure that you have no colds, sore throats etc when it’s done as that can affect the bone growing around it, apparently. I had to postpone a couple of times. Oh yes, you have to keep your blood pressure down for a couple of weeks so NO BIKING!!