How Long Does the Dental Implant Procedure Take?
Learn how long dental implant procedures take, the factors that impact timing, and what to expect during the process.

Dental implants offer a natural-looking, long-lasting, durable replacement for missing, damaged, or decayed teeth. This can make them popular among dental patients. However, dental implants also take longer than some other procedures. Exact timelines vary based on several factors, but they will, at minimum, take several months to complete. This article explores how long implants take and what could impact the length of this dental procedure.
If you’re ready to restore your smile with ClearChoice dental implants, schedule a consultation today.
How the Dental Implant Process Works
Dental implants consist of multiple steps spread out over a longer time to ensure the implant is installed properly:
1. Initial consultation
You’ll meet your ClearChoice dental team and discuss your goals. The doctor will assess your condition and make treatment recommendations based on your needs, budget, and lifestyle. You can also receive a cost estimate during this consultation.
2. Peripheral procedures
If you need a tooth removed or a bone graft for the implant, the dentist performs these before the procedure begins.
3. Implant placement
The dentist places a titanium post, the implant, into the jawbone.
4. Osseointegration
This is the longest portion of the process. The implant post fuses to the jawbone over several months to create a secure foundation for the rest of the implant.
5. Impressions
The dentist takes impressions to create a custom-made crown.
6. Crown placement
You return to have the permanent crown placed and secured onto the implant, completing the procedure.
How Long Do Dental Implants Take?
Dental implants are a longer procedure, taking several months due to osseointegration. However, the actual implant placement takes much less time, yet can vary by implant type. Below are approximate time ranges for each type of implant:
Single Tooth Implants
Single tooth implants replace individual teeth. They can work best for a patient with a missing tooth. The procedure itself often takes less than one hour to complete, depending on the tooth location and your jawbone health.¹ The implant then requires several months of osseointegration, after which the crown is placed.
Full-Mouth Implants
Full-mouth dental implants replace the teeth in one jaw. These may be recommended by a dentist when multiple teeth are missing or severely decayed or damaged.
This can take several hours if each tooth receives its own implant. All-on-4 dental implants can dramatically reduce the time for full-mouth implants since an entire arch is supported on just four implants. From there, you’ll wait for osseointegration to occur over several months.
Implant Dentures
Implant dentures are more stable than conventional dentures by attaching to 2 to 4 dental implants, which provides improved stability and comfort. The implants are allowed to heal and fuse to the jawbone while dentures are made. You’ll then return to the dentist to receive and attach your dentures to the implants.
Implant-Supported Bridges
Implant-supported bridges support the bridge using two or more dental implants instead of natural teeth. This reduces damage to the natural teeth and may offer greater durability. Implant installation tends to take one to two hours, although more may be needed for more implants. After osseointegration, you’ll return to receive the bridge. Installing it may take the dentist around an hour.
What Factors Can Affect How Long Dental Implants Take?
Several factors can impact the length of the dental implant procedure:
Number and Type of Implants Needed
Generally speaking, situations requiring more implants will take longer. More implants require more surgical time and potentially longer healing. For example, full-mouth implants and implant bridges will take longer than a single-tooth implant.
Your Jawbone Quality
Dental implant success depends significantly on your jawbone’s strength. A strong jawbone allows the implant to fuse properly and not loosen. If you have sufficient jawbone, the dentist can proceed immediately with implant placement post-consultation.
However, if the jawbone is weak, the dentist may need to perform a bone graft to strengthen and thicken it. This entails an additional surgical procedure and recovery, prolonging the overall procedure by at least three months.²
Whether Additional Procedures Are Required
Additional procedures add time to the process, although this varies by procedure. For example, a bone graft, as mentioned, may add several months to your dental implant timeline since it takes longer to heal. The same goes for sinus lifts.³
On the other hand, a simple tooth extraction may allow the dentist to place the implant almost immediately if the patient is healthy and has a strong jawbone. So, the overall process is about the same length, just adding about one more hour to the implant visit for the tooth extraction.
That said, some extractions may require more healing time, especially for patients with weaker jawbones. These procedures may lengthen your timeline, but they help ensure a successful implant.
Your Overall Health
Overall bodily health also impacts your dental implant timeline. For example, diabetes could slow your body’s ability to heal and increase the risk of complications. Similarly, immune system issues, like autoimmune disorders, can complicate things by making it harder for your body to protect against infection while recovering.
Furthermore, tobacco usage, like smoking, can slow healing by reducing blood flow to the area. This restricts nutrient delivery, making it harder for the body to heal. Adopting healthy habits to improve overall bodily health could shorten your timeline, improve your implant’s chance of success, and reduce the risk of complications.
How Long Does It Take to Recover from the Dental Implant Procedure?
Recovery time from the implant procedure varies by patient. However, healing from the initial surgery may take six to twelve weeks. After that, patients must wait around three to six months for the implant to fuse to the jawbone to support the crown.⁴ Here are a few quick tips to facilitate a smooth and easy recovery:
Follow your dentist’s instructions: Following all of your dentist’s instructions can help you manage recovery and avoid complications.
Use pain relievers: Use prescribed medication early on as instructed, then potentially shift to over-the-counter pain relievers later.
Apply cold to the area: Applying ice packs, frozen veggie bags, or cold compresses to the outside of the cheek adjacent to the area can help manage swelling.
Avoid strenuous activity and smoking: Rest is crucial for a faster recovery. Meanwhile, avoiding smoking helps your body deliver more nutrients to the site.
Eat a soft food/liquid diet: Consume a liquid diet immediately after the procedure, then move to soft foods after a few days. This helps minimize pain and prevent your implant from coming loose. Avoid drinking with straws.
Follow good oral health habits: Brush twice daily, avoiding the surgical site. Floss once daily. Rinse once daily with antimicrobial mouthwash.
Learn More About Dental Implants
Dental implants have the longest timeline of almost any dental procedure, although the timeline can vary due to several factors. Regardless, the strength, longevity, durability, and aesthetics are often worth it for many patients. Follow all your dentist’s instructions for a smooth, complication-free recovery.
If you’re ready to restore a seamless, bright smile with dental implants, schedule a consultation with ClearChoice today to learn more.
Dental Implant Procedure Length FAQs
Can I get same-day dental implants?
While few Dental Implant Centers provide this procedure, you can get same-day dental implants in some cases. These entail placing the implant and temporary crown in one procedure. They can work well for healthy patients with a strong jawbone.
Same-day dental implants allow you primarily to restore aesthetics immediately. However, the implant must still fuse to the jawbone over several months. Therefore, you’ll still need to be careful when eating to avoid damaging or loosening the implant. Your doctor will advise you if a same day tooth is possible or if the placement of the crown should be deferred until the implant is fully healed into the jawbone.
Can a dental implant be placed immediately after extraction?
Yes, the dentist can place the implant immediately after extraction under certain conditions:
The patient has healthy gums and a strong jawbone
The patient is healthy overall
The extraction was simple
The location allows for it — usually, front teeth are better candidates
Ultimately, your dentist will decide if you’re a good candidate for immediate implant placement post-extraction.
How many visits are required to get a dental implant?
Dental implants can entail at least four visits:
Initial consultation
Implant surgery
Implant placement, impressions, and temporary crown placement
Permanent crown placement
They may entail more for more complex situations, such as patients requiring extractions or bone grafts. That said, same-day dental implants can take as few as three visits since the second visit entails placing the implant and temporary crown while taking impressions.
Source:
¹Aspen Dental - Your dental implant journey
²Cleveland Clinic - Dental Bone Graft
³Cambridge University Hospitals - Sinus lift procedures
⁴Aspen Dental – Do dental implants hurt? Everything you need to know
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