A dental implant is a small post, usually made of titanium, placed in the jawbone to hold a crown, bridge or denture. Understanding the stages helps you judge any plan you are given, and shows why most implant treatment cannot be done in a single short trip.
1. Assessment and planning
The dentist examines your teeth and gums and looks at the bone with a panoramic X-ray or a 3D scan. They check for gum disease, decay and anything in your medical history that affects healing, such as diabetes, smoking or certain medications. You should leave this stage with a written plan that names the number of implants, the position of each and what will be done to prepare the bone.
2. Preparing the mouth
Gum disease must be treated first, and teeth that cannot be saved are removed. If there is not enough bone, a bone graft or sinus lift may be needed, and the graft then needs months to heal before an implant can be placed. This stage is the most common reason a plan takes longer than first expected.
3. Placing the implant
Under local anaesthetic, sometimes with sedation, the dentist makes a small opening in the gum and places the implant into the bone. The gum is closed over it or a small healing cap is attached. Most people describe the aftermath as soreness and swelling for a few days rather than severe pain, but experiences vary.
4. Healing
The bone grows onto the surface of the implant in a process called osseointegration. This typically takes a few months, longer in the upper jaw or after grafting. A temporary tooth is sometimes fitted so that you are not left with a gap, but it must not carry heavy biting forces.
5. The crown, bridge or denture
Once the implant is stable, an abutment is attached and an impression or scan is taken. The final tooth is made, tried in, adjusted for your bite and fitted. Some clinics fit teeth much sooner, which can work in selected cases but carries a higher risk if the implant moves.
6. Looking after it
Implants need the same cleaning as natural teeth, with attention to the gum edge, and regular check-ups. Gum inflammation around an implant, called peri-implantitis, can lead to bone loss and loss of the implant. Smoking increases the risk.
The short version
Implants are a staged treatment, with a healing period that cannot be rushed. A realistic plan separates the surgery from the final teeth, and names who will see you for check-ups at home.
General information, not medical advice. A qualified dentist decides what suits you after examining you.