The dental implant process and timeline: what happens and when
Short answer
Dental implant treatment usually happens in stages: assessment and planning, implant surgery, a healing period while the implant bonds with the bone, and then the abutment and crown are made and fitted. The total time varies from person to person, mainly depending on bone quality, healing, and whether a tooth needs removing or a bone graft first. Your dentist will give you a timeline for your case.
Is a dental implant a surgery?
Yes. Placing an implant is a minor surgical procedure, usually done under local anaesthetic in the dental chair. The dentist or implant surgeon places the implant into the jawbone through the gum.
The steps of implant treatment
- Assessment: an examination, x-rays and a 3D CBCT scan to check the bone and plan the implant position.
- Planning: the implant position is planned in software, sometimes with a surgical guide for accuracy.
- Extraction and grafting if needed: a damaged tooth may be removed, and bone may be added where there is not enough.
- Implant placement: the implant is placed in the jaw.
- Healing: the bone grows onto the implant surface over the following weeks to months. A temporary tooth may be worn during this time.
- Restoration: a scan is taken and the dental laboratory makes the abutment and crown.
- Fitting and review: the crown is fitted and checked at follow-up appointments.
What happens after implant surgery?
Some swelling, bruising and tenderness are common for a few days. Your dentist will give you aftercare instructions, which usually include eating soft foods, keeping the area clean and not smoking. Contact your dentist if pain, swelling or bleeding gets worse instead of better.
What affects how long treatment takes
- Whether a tooth needs to be removed first, and whether the implant can be placed at the same time.
- Whether a bone graft is needed.
- Bone quality and how quickly you heal.
- Whether the restoration is a single crown, a bridge or a full arch.
Getting an implant years after losing a tooth
An implant can often still be placed many years after a tooth was lost. Because the jawbone shrinks over time without a tooth root, a bone graft is more likely to be needed. A 3D scan shows whether there is enough bone.
Read what an implant restoration is, or see the implant restorations we make.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the whole implant process take?
It varies from case to case. Bone quality, healing and whether a tooth must be removed or a bone graft placed first all affect the timeline. Your dentist will give you an estimate for your case.
Does getting an implant hurt?
The procedure is done under local anaesthetic, so you should not feel pain during it. Some soreness and swelling afterwards is common for a few days.
Can I get an implant years after losing a tooth?
Often yes. The bone may have shrunk, so a bone graft is more likely to be needed. A 3D scan shows how much bone is available.