Phase one: planning and site preparation
A 3D scan maps bone volume and nerve position. If a tooth must be removed first, the site often gets a bone graft at the same visit to preserve the ridge. Grafting alone can add three to four months of healing.
Phase two: placement and integration
The implant is placed in a visit most patients describe as easier than the extraction. Bone then fuses to the titanium surface over three to six months, a process called osseointegration that cannot be safely hurried.
Phase three: the crown
Once integrated, the implant is uncovered, an impression or digital scan is taken, and a custom crown is fitted two to three weeks later. A temporary tooth fills the gap during healing in most visible areas.
When it can be faster
Immediate-load implants, where a temporary crown goes on the same day, are possible in select cases with strong bone and a stable bite. Your surgeon determines candidacy from the scan, not from preference.
Key takeaways
- •Typical total timeline is four to nine months.
- •Healing time is biology, not scheduling.
- •Ask about temporary tooth options up front.
This article is general information, not a diagnosis. Your situation deserves an exam.