Dental Implant Timeline: A Step-by-Step Guide from Start to Finish

Getting new teeth can take time. Let’s learn about dental implants and how long they take. This guide will help you know what to expect.

What Makes the Timeline Different for Each Person?

Some people get implants faster than others. Here’s why:

• Bone grafting adds 3-6 more months
• Sinus lift needs 4-12 months to heal
• Same-day implants vs. waiting after pulling a tooth
• Your health matters a lot

Did you know? If you smoke, healing takes 20% longer and you are 2 times more likely to have problems with your implant.

The Dental Implant Timeline: Step-by-Step

Step 1: First Visit and Planning

Time: 1-2 weeks

What happens:

• Doctor takes 3D scans of your mouth
• Talks about your health
• Makes a plan for your new teeth

The doctor uses CBCT scan planning to see your bone and make sure the implant will fit right.

Step 2: Getting Ready for the Implant

Time: 0-6 months

Some people need more work before getting an implant:

• Bone grafting takes 3-6 months to heal
• Socket preservation after pulling a tooth takes 2-3 months
• Tooth extraction needs 10-12 weeks of healing time

85% of bone grafts work well if you take good care of them.

Step 3: Putting in the Implant

Time: 1-2 hours for surgery + 3-6 months healing

This is the big day! The doctor:

• Puts you to sleep or makes your mouth numb
• Makes a small cut in your gum
• Puts in a titanium implant (like a screw)
• Waits for it to grow into your bone (osseointegration)

“Osseointegration is when the implant grows together with your jaw bone. This takes 3-6 months for most people.”

You can choose:

• Immediate load implants (get a temp tooth right away)
• Two-stage implant procedure (wait to put a tooth on top)

Step 4: Adding the Abutment and Crown

Time: 2-4 weeks

After your implant is strong in your bone:

1. The doctor puts on a healing abutment (a small cap)
2. Your gums heal around it (about 2 weeks)
3. The lab makes your new tooth (custom abutment fabrication)
4. The doctor puts on your new tooth

96% of implants last when the doctor uses 3D-guided surgery to place them just right.

Special Types of Implant Treatments

Some people can get teeth faster:

All-on-4® has a 98% success rate after 5 years, which is very good!

What to Expect After Surgery

First 3 Days

• Your face will be puffy
• Eat soft foods only
• Take pain pills if you need them

1-2 Weeks

• No hard exercise
• Doctor takes out stitches
• Start feeling better

3+ Months

• Keep seeing your dentist
• Watch for any problems
• The implant gets stronger in your bone

If you’re over 65, healing might take about 5.3% longer (about 8.2 months total).

Things That Can Make the Timeline Longer

Sometimes problems happen that make the process take longer:

• Failed osseointegration (implant gets loose)
• Infection/Peri-implantitis (germs around the implant)
• Bone loss (might need more bone grafting)

9-40% of implants can get peri-implantitis, which can add 4+ months to your treatment.

Questions People Ask A Lot

Next Steps

Ready to start? Find a good implant dentist who is certified by the AAID (American Academy of Implant Dentistry).

Things to ask your dentist:

• How many implants have you done?
• Will I need bone grafting?
• Can I get a tooth the same day?
• How much will it cost?

After your implant is done, you might also want to look into custom dental whitening trays to keep your smile bright!

Table of Dental Implant Timeline Phases

Remember, your timeline might be different based on your health, how much bone you have, and what kind of implants you get.

The most important thing is getting a good result that lasts for years!