How Long Does a Dental Implant Procedure Take?

A dental implant surgery itself is usually only 1 to 2 hours but with the different stages involved, the entire journey from the first appointment to the last can be anywhere between 3 and 9 months or even more. It is the time needed for healing (osseointegration during which the bone fuses to the implant), that mainly affects the duration of the process. Additional steps like bone graft may also prolong the timeline.

It is basically the timeline from the first consult to implant placement, months of healing and then the last appointments of crown placement.

Stages & Timelines

1. Consultation & Planning: A single visit of 30, 60 minutes is typically enough for 3D scans and devising a treatment plan.

2. Implant Surgery: The operation to install the titanium post into the jawbone lasts generally 1, 2 hours.

3. Healing (Osseointegration): This is the most important period where the bone grows onto the implant and it usually takes from 3 to 6 months.

4. Abutment Placement: After the healing, attachment of a small connector piece to the implant involves 1, 2 short visits.

5. Crown Placement: The custom crown is made from the taken impressions and then fitted, usually in 1, 2 visits.

Factors

Bone Health: If bone density is low, it may be necessary to undergo a bone graft which can extend the process by several months.

Tooth Extraction: In the case where a tooth has been removed, a certain amount of healing time is required before an implant can be placed.

Case Complexity: The duration will be longer when more implants are needed or if the grafting is complicated.