Summary
If you're thinking about a dental implant, speak with a trained provider to assess your needs, create a customized plan, and start on the road to a stronger, more confident smile.
How Long Does a Dental Implant Take?
Dental implants are now the gold standard for restoring missing teeth. They provide durability, function, and an appearance that is like natural teeth. One of the questions that patients most frequently ask, however, is: “How long does a dental implant take from start to finish?”
The response is not as simple as you would think. Although the actual surgery may take just an hour or two, the whole process — from consultation to last crown placement — may take a few months. In this article, we explain each step so you can get an idea of the timeline and what determines the length of a dental implant treatment.
Phase 1: The Initial Consultation (1-2 Weeks)
The initial step in any dental implant process is an appraisal. This involves:
- Oral assessment
- X-rays or 3D scans to examine bone structure and density
- Review of medical history to confirm that you’re a suitable candidate
- Discussion of treatment options, expectations, and goals
- If you qualify as a good candidate, an individualized treatment plan is developed. For patients requiring pre-treatments such as extractions or bone grafting, the timeframe can take longer.
- Estimated time: 1-2 weeks
Phase 2: Preparatory Procedures (If Necessary) (1-6 Months)
Not all patients are ready for implant surgery right away. Some of the preparatory procedures include:
- Tooth Extraction: If a broken tooth needs to be extracted prior to implant placement, it may take several weeks for the area to heal.
- Bone Grafting: For individuals with inadequate bone density in the jaw (as a result of tooth loss, trauma, or gum disease), a bone graft might be required. The healing time can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months before the implant can be inserted.
- Sinus Lift: If implants are planned for the upper jaw and there’s not enough bone between the sinus and the mouth, a sinus lift may be performed. This also requires a healing period of several months.
- Estimated time: 1 to 6 months (if needed)
Phase 3: Dental Implant Surgery (1 Day for Surgery, 3-6 Months for Healing)
Once your mouth is ready, the implant procedure can be scheduled. Here’s what to expect:
- Surgical Placement: The oral surgeon or dentist cuts your gum and places the titanium implant post into the jawbone. This can take 1 to 2 hours per implant and is done under sedation or local anesthesia.
- Healing & Osseointegration: Following surgery, the implant initiates a process of osseointegration wherein the jawbone grows around it to secure the implant. It is the most important stage that may last for 3 to 6 months, depending upon your bone strength and healing power.
- Patients get a temporary denture or crown during this duration to preserve functionality and appearance.
- Estimated time: 3 to 6 months (healing)
Phase 4: Abutment Placement (1-2 Weeks Healing)
After the implant has healed and integrated into the bone, a second small surgery can be required to uncover the implant and install an abutment. This is the device that the crown will attach to.
- The gum is incised to reach the implant.
- The abutment is fitted to the implant.
- The gum is recontoured to heal over the abutment.
- Some implant systems enable the abutment to be positioned simultaneously with the implant, minimizing procedures.
- Estimated healing time: 1 to 2 weeks
Phase 5: Crown Fabrication & Placement (2-3 Weeks)
The last step is constructing and delivering the permanent dental crown. This entails:
- Taking impressions of your teeth and bite
- Matching the shape and color of the crown to your teeth
- Creating the crown in a dental laboratory (takes 1-2 weeks)
- Final insertion and bite adjustment
- Some offices provide same-day crowns with digital scanning and milling, but the old-fashioned way can take longer.
- Estimated time: 2 to 3 weeks
Total Timeline: What’s the Final Answer?
If no preparatory treatments are required, and healing is uneventful, a dental implant may take only 4 to 6 months. But if you need bone grafts or other procedures, the time can be up to 8 to 12 months or more.
Phase Estimated Time
- Initial Consultation 1-2 weeks
- Preparatory Procedures 1-6 months (if required)
- Implant Surgery & Healing 3-6 months
- Abutment Placement & Healing 1-2 weeks
- Crown Placement 2-3 weeks
- Total Duration 4-12 months (variable)
Things That Influence How Long It Takes a Dental Implant
Bone Condition: Healthier, denser bone heals faster.
Oral Hygiene: Better hygiene aids in quicker healing.
Smoking: Hinders healing and raises risk of failure.
Systemic Health: Some diseases, such as diabetes, slow healing.
Number of Implants: Several implants can increase treatment time.
Location in Mouth: Implants in the upper jaw tend to heal more slowly than those in the lower jaw.
Can the Process Be Speeded Up?
In other instances, there can be same-day restorations and immediate implant placement — sometimes called “teeth in a day” or immediate load implants. But these are only suitable for individuals with very good bone quality and health, and this choice needs to be made by an experienced implant dentist.
Why Patience Pays Off
While the dental implant process may seem lengthy, the result is well worth the wait. Unlike removable options like dentures, implants offer:
- Long-term durability (often lasting decades)
- Superior comfort and function
- Bone preservation and facial structure support
- A natural-looking smile
- Rushing the process can compromise implant success. Each phase is critical to ensuring that your implant heals properly and performs like a natural tooth for years to come.
Final Thoughts
So, how long does a dental implant take? The reality is: it depends. For most, the procedure takes somewhere between 4 to 12 months, depending on the state of the individual’s mouth and complexity of the treatment. With the expertise of an experienced implant dentist, the process can be seamless and well worth the time and attention.
If you’re thinking about a dental implant, speak with a trained provider to assess your needs, create a customized plan, and start on the road to a stronger, more confident smile.
Dental Implant Centers is the leading provider of dental implant treatments in San Diego. We are an All-Inclusive dental implant practice which provides all aspects of your treatment in one office and by one doctor. You will not be referred to other doctors or offices. This will avoid confusion of seeing 2 or more doctors, ensure smooth and fast treatment, less cost, and better result. Dr James Khazian has been practicing dental implantology for over 30 years, has had extensive training and education in the field, and has performed thousands of dental implants, different types of bone grafting, sinus grafting, All On 4, and All ON 6 surgeries. He has been awarded as Associate Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID), and the Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantology (ICOI).
For more information about dental implants, all-on-4, all-on-6, bone grafts, sinus graft, full mouth reconstruction, snap on dentures, and cosmetic dentistry, you may request a free consultation with Dr. James Khazian by clicking here or call 866-4my-smile (866-469-7645)