How long do dental implants take?
The stages of getting a dental implant, from the first exam to the final crown, and what affects how long it takes.
The stages
Consultation and planning
The dentist examines your mouth, takes X-rays or a 3D scan, and checks the health of your gums and the amount of bone where the tooth is missing. You talk through your options before anything is decided.
Preparing the area, if needed
A damaged tooth may need to be removed first, and any gum disease treated. If the bone is too thin, a bone graft may be needed, which adds healing time.
Placing the implant
A small post is placed in the jaw bone under local anesthesia. In some cases a temporary tooth can be fitted on the same day; in others the area is left to heal first.
Healing
Over the next few months the implant bonds with the surrounding bone. This step cannot be rushed, because it is what makes the implant strong enough to chew with.
The final crown
Once the implant is stable, a connector (abutment) and a crown matched to your other teeth are attached.
What can change the timeline
- How much healthy bone you have where the tooth is missing
- Whether gum disease needs treatment first
- Smoking, which slows healing
- Health conditions such as poorly controlled diabetes
- How many teeth are being replaced
Looking after an implant
Brush and clean around the implant every day, as you would a natural tooth, and keep up regular check-ups and cleanings. Healthy gums around the implant help it last.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. For advice about your own teeth, book a visit.