How Long Is Implant Time? Dental Implant Timelines, & Factors

“Implant time” means the total time from your first consult to the moment your final crown, bridge, or denture is in place. Timelines vary a lot based on bone health, whether a tooth must be removed first, and the type of restoration. This guide explains typical stages, why implant time changes, and what you can do to safely speed treatment. Use this to get a realistic idea of how long your implant plan may take.

Typical implant time: a step-by-step timeline

Consultation & digital planning (week 0)

At the first visit we take a CBCT scan and intraoral scans to map bone and soft tissue. This planning sets the implant time and lets the team design guides or a temporary tooth if appropriate.

Surgery & initial healing (week 1–2)

Implant placement usually takes 30–90 minutes per site. Early healing (first 7–14 days) focuses on managing swelling, pain, and soft-tissue recovery. Most people feel comfortable returning to light activities within a few days.

Osseointegration phase (6–16+ weeks)

Osseointegration is bone growing tightly to the implant. Typical ranges are 6–12 weeks for good bone, and 12–16+ weeks if grafting was needed. Signs of integration include stable implants and no pain when biting.

Abutment connection & soft-tissue shaping (2–6 weeks)

After integration, the abutment or healing cap is placed to shape gum tissue. This step takes a few weeks to let the tissue form a natural contour before impressions.

Final restoration (1–3 weeks after impressions)

Once impressions or digital scans are taken, the lab or in-house mill makes your crown, bridge, or denture. Delivery typically follows in 1–3 weeks, depending on lab turnaround or in-office milling.

Why implant time varies: key factors

Bone quality and need for grafting

Poor bone or a shallow sinus can require bone grafts or lifts. Grafting can add months to implant time because the graft must heal before placing the implant.

Tooth extraction timing

Immediate placement (implant at time of extraction) can shorten implant time but isn’t always possible. Delayed placement lets bone heal and can increase long-term success.

Medical factors and habits

Smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, and certain medications slow healing. These issues can lengthen implant time or change when each step happens.

Treatment complexity

A single implant heals faster than multiple implants or full-arch rehabilitation. Full-arch cases often require staged procedures and longer timelines.

Provider experience and technology

Guided surgery, CBCT planning, photogrammetry, and in-house milling reduce uncertainty and can shorten implant time when used by experienced teams.

Ways to shorten implant time safely

Immediate placement and loading — when it’s appropriate

Same-day temporaries are possible when bone and infection status are ideal. They cut total implant time but must meet strict criteria for safety.

Digital workflows and in-house labs

TRIOS scans, photogrammetry, and on-site milling cut waits for prosthetics and speed up final restorations.

Guided surgery and navigation

Chrome-guides, X-Nav, InstaRisa, and robotics improve accuracy and reduce the chance of surprises that delay treatment.

Common example timelines

Single-tooth implant (typical)

Consult → surgery → 3–4 months osseointegration → abutment and soft tissue → final crown.

Full-arch (All‑on‑4) or multiple implants

Options include immediate-load protocols with same-day temporaries or staged plans that can take several months depending on grafting and healing.

Questions to ask about your implant time

Ask: What is the expected implant time? Will I need grafts or extra procedures? Are immediate-load options possible? What technology do you use? What sedation and follow-up schedule do you recommend?

Why choose this practice for predictable implant time

Dr. Brian Ferber, DMD, has advanced implant training and the office uses CBCT, photogrammetry, 3D printing, guided tools, and in-house milling. That experience helps shorten and clarify expected implant time in Greenacres, FL while keeping safety high. If you want a personalized implant time estimate, schedule a consult to review scans and get a clear timeline for your case.