Most of an implant's treatment time is spent waiting, not in the chair. The surgery to place the post is usually a short appointment under local anaesthetic; the months that follow are when the jawbone grows onto the post and locks it in place. Only once that has happened is the visible tooth attached.
Below is what happens at each stage, from the first scan to the final crown, and what can change the timeline.
An implant is built from three pieces
The implant itself is a small screw-shaped post, usually titanium and occasionally zirconia, that sits in the jawbone where the tooth root used to be. On top of it goes the abutment, a connector that comes up through the gum. The crown, a custom-made tooth, is fixed to the abutment and is the only part you see when you smile.
Thinking of it this way makes the sequence logical: the root goes in first, it is given time to become solid, and then the parts above the gum are added. Our guide to implant versus bridge versus denture compares this with the other ways of replacing a missing tooth.
Planning starts with a 3D scan
The first appointment is an assessment. The dentist examines the gap, the teeth either side and the health of your gums, and reviews your medical history. A 3D X-ray shows the height and width of the bone and the position of structures to avoid, such as nerves and the sinus. That scan decides whether there is enough bone to hold an implant or whether it needs building up first.
General health is part of the plan too. Smoking and poorly controlled diabetes can slow healing and raise the risk of problems, which our article on who is a candidate for implants covers in detail. You will usually receive a written treatment plan after the assessment, often by email.
Some people need bone added first
When a tooth has been missing for a while, the bone that held it often shrinks. If there is not enough left, a bone graft or, in the upper back jaw, a sinus lift may be needed to create space and support. Sometimes this is done at the same appointment as the implant; sometimes it is done first and left to heal for several months. Our guide to bone grafts and sinus lifts explains both.
Placing the post is a short procedure
The area is numbed with local anaesthetic, so you are awake but should not feel pain. The dentist opens the gum, prepares a precise channel in the bone and screws the post into place, then closes the gum over or around it. If the anxiety of the procedure is a concern, Lumi offers happy gas, inhaled pain relief, oral sedation and IV sedation for implant surgery.
Afterwards, soreness and some swelling are common for a few days and are usually managed with ordinary pain relief and soft food. Our implant recovery timeline sets out what to expect in the first days and weeks.
The bone then grows onto the implant
This stage is called osseointegration. Bone cells grow onto the roughened surface of the post until it is held firmly, much as a natural root is held. It typically takes a few months, and the exact time depends on the quality of the bone, where in the mouth the implant is, and whether grafting was done. Loading the implant too early can disturb this process, which is why the waiting period matters. Our article on osseointegration explains the biology.
You are not usually left with a visible gap while you wait. A temporary tooth, plate or bonded replacement can often be worn, and in some cases with good bone a temporary crown can be attached to the implant sooner.
The abutment and crown go on last
Once the implant is stable, the abutment is connected and a digital scan is taken so the crown can be made to match your neighbouring teeth in shape and colour. At the final visit the crown is fitted, and the bite is checked and adjusted so the new tooth does not take more than its share of chewing load.
From then on it is cleaned like a natural tooth, with brushing, cleaning between the teeth and regular check-ups. Gum inflammation around implants can lead to bone loss over time, so maintenance matters, as our guide to implant aftercare explains.
What patients ask about the implant process
Does having an implant placed hurt?
It is done under local anaesthetic, so the procedure itself should not be painful. Most people describe the following days as sore rather than painful, and simple pain relief is usually enough.
How long does the whole process take?
Most single implants take a few months from placement to the final crown, mainly because of the healing time. Grafting first adds several more months. Your dentist can give you a timeline once your scan has been reviewed.
How long do implants last?
With good home care and regular reviews, implants can last many years. Our guide to how long implants last covers what affects their lifespan.
What does an implant cost?
A typical market range for a single implant with its crown is about $4,000 to $7,000, depending on whether grafting is needed and the materials used. These are general figures, not Lumi fees; our implant cost guide explains what affects the total.
Talking through an implant
Dental implants are planned and placed at Lumi Dental, with a 3D X-ray on site for the assessment. If you are missing a tooth and want to know whether an implant suits you, you can book a free implant consult; see the dental implants page or our offers page. This article is general information and not a substitute for advice from your dentist.
