Dental Implant Procedure Step by Step

Quick answer: a typical dental implant procedure involves five stages consultation and CBCT scan, implant placement, a healing period of 8 to 16 weeks, abutment placement, and finally the custom crown fitting. Most single-tooth cases take 3 to 6 months from first visit to finished tooth; full-arch cases often involve a fixed provisional set of teeth fitted the same day as surgery, with the final prosthesis following months later.

Step 1: Consultation and CBCT Scan

Your implant process begins with a clinical exam and a 3D CBCT scan, which measures bone height and density at the proposed implant site and maps the position of nerves and, for upper teeth, the sinus cavity. This determines whether you can proceed directly to implant placement, or whether preparatory work such as bone grafting or a sinus lift is needed first.

Step 2: Treatment Planning

Using the CBCT data, your implant position, angle, and depth are planned digitally before surgery. You'll receive a written, itemised treatment plan covering the implant brand, crown material, any preparatory procedures, and the total cost, before anything is booked.

Step 3: Implant Placement

The implant is placed under local anaesthesia in a single appointment, typically taking 30 minutes to an hour for a single tooth (longer for full-arch cases). Most patients describe the sensation as pressure rather than pain, with mild soreness for a few days afterward, manageable with prescribed medication.

Step 4: Healing (Osseointegration)

Over the following 8 to 16 weeks, the implant fuses with the surrounding jawbone in a process called osseointegration. During this period, you'll typically follow a softer diet around the implant site and attend a follow-up visit or two to confirm healing is progressing as expected.

Step 5: Abutment and Crown Fitting

Once healing is confirmed, a small connector (the abutment) is attached to the implant, and impressions are taken for your custom crown, shade-matched to your natural teeth. The final crown is fitted at a subsequent visit, completing the restoration.

What to Expect: Full-Arch and Same-Day Cases

For full-arch treatments like All-on-4 or All-on-6, many patients receive a fixed provisional bridge on the same day as implant placement, so there's no extended period without functional teeth. The permanent, final prosthesis is fitted several months later, once healing is fully confirmed.

Typical Timeline Summary