How Long Does It Take to Get Dental Implants?

The total amount of time it takes for a dental implant will depend on the type of implant procedure needed and the physical condition and the individual healing time for the mouth. The average time for the dental implant process is about 6-8 months. In some cases, bone grafting and/or extraction is needed which could add up to 6 extra months on top of that. 

In some instances where the dentist believes that there is sufficient bone and the procedure of all on 4 or all on 6 is completed. The healing and completion of final fixed dentures can be completed in as little as one to two months. Your dentist will let you know if you are a candidate.

The procedure itself only takes a few hours, but there are a series of steps included in the treatment process that lead up to and follow the procedure. These steps are:

Consultation and CT Scan: The first step for a dental implant is a consultation and a CT scan of your mouth will need to be taken. With this scan, the dentist will be able to evaluate the condition of your mouth in order to create a plan to assess your needs. At this consultation, you will also discuss what the cost of the procedure will be and what your insurance and/or financing options are for your implants. 

Pre-Procedure Examination: When you determine you are ready to take the next step with your dental implant treatment, you will meet with a surgeon and be examined. This meeting will answer any questions which will help the doctor to compile all the details required for the operation. Once you have completed this exam, you can then set a date and time for your procedure.

Surgical Procedure: If you don’t need a bone augmentation or sinus graft prior to fitting an implant, then this step will consist of securing the titanium root into the jawbone. This surgery will typically take about 1-2 hours per implant and when this is complete, your dentist may choose to allow for a temporary crown or bridge to be supported by the implants while your mouth heals and adjusts to the change.

Recovery: Following the procedure, patients may feel some slight swelling and bruising. The most important part of this healing process is making sure the bone fuses to the titanium implant correctly in a process called osseointegration. The time for this process is different for every individual and depends on the healing abilities of that individual. This could take anywhere from 4-12 weeks for the total healing process. During this time the patient will usually have a series of follow-up appointments to make sure the mouth is healing properly. 

Final Fitting: Once the bone fusion has taken place and the dentist is content with how the previous surgical site looks, you will then go back into the dental office and have an abutment fitted into the implant root. This acts as a post between the porcelain crown and the implant itself. Once the post is fitted, the final crown is fitted, adjusted and cemented into place.