Dental Implants

The Dental Implant Timeline, Step by Step

Implant treatment is less about a single procedure and more about a sequence, most of which is healing time you spend living your normal life.

June 19, 2026 · 6 min read

Weeks 1–2: planning

A cone-beam scan maps bone height, width and density alongside nerve and sinus position. From that data we plan the implant's exact angle and depth digitally, before you are in the chair. If bone volume is insufficient, grafting is planned here.

Placement day

Placement is performed under local anesthetic and typically takes under an hour for a single implant. Most patients describe the following two or three days as soreness rather than pain, controlled with over-the-counter medication and ice.

Months 3–4: integration

Bone grows into the implant surface in a process called osseointegration. This is the part that cannot be rushed, and it is why reputable practices do not promise a permanent tooth in a day for every case. You wear a temporary throughout.

The final restoration

Once integration is confirmed, an abutment and custom crown are fitted and shade-matched to your neighboring teeth. From there it is brushing, flossing and normal cleanings — the same care as any other tooth.

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