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 the implant's exact angle and depth can be planned 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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A former dental practice
Charlotte Harbor Dental is a former dental practice. It is no longer operating or accepting patients. This website preserves historical information about the practice and general dental education.