An implant is one of the stages in restoring missing teeth. The complete treatment includes evaluation and diagnosis using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), planning the future crown, surgery, osseointegration, and creating the abutment and prosthesis. The procedure itself, involving a single implant, can take around 30 minutes in straightforward cases, whereas the entire treatment typically takes several months. The dentist establishes the exact schedule following the assessment.
Patients often use the term "implant placement" to refer to the entire treatment. In practice, an implant is a component inserted into the bone, and the visible tooth is restored only with a crown connected to it by a component called an abutment. A period of time is required between the surgical procedure and the final restoration to allow the tissue to heal and to establish a stable bond between the implant and the bone.
The timeline below outlines the standard procedure. It is not a fixed schedule for a specific patient – individual stages may overlap, change, or require additional procedures.
Stage | What happens? | Approximate duration |
|---|---|---|
1. Qualification and CBCT | Examination, medical interview, 3D diagnostics | One or more visits |
2. Prosthetic plan | Design of the future crown and treatment sequence | Before the procedure |
3. Treatment | Implant placement and assessment of primary stability | Around 30 minutes for a simple case |
4. Healing | Osseointegration and tissue maturation | Usually 2 to 6 months |
5. Reconstruction | Healing cap, scan or impression, abutment and crown | Usually several visits |
6. Check-ups | Assessment of tissues, bite, and oral hygiene | Long-term, according to an individual plan |
Stage 1: Qualification and CBCT
Treatment begins with a consultation. The clinician assesses the patient's expectations, asks about chronic conditions, medications, previous treatments, and habits, and then examines the teeth, gums, mucosa, and bite. If there is active inflammation, caries, or untreated periodontal disease in the oral cavity, preparatory treatment may be necessary before placing the implant.
Three-dimensional cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) plays a crucial role in planning the procedure. It allows for the evaluation of bone height and width, its relationship to the maxillary sinus, the nasal cavity, or the nerve canal, as well as enabling the selection of the implant's position and dimensions. MALO CLINIC routinely performs CT scans before implant treatment. For more information about available examinations, visit our dental radiology page.
At this stage, the clinician assesses the prognosis and develops a treatment plan, anticipating possible scenarios – including whether an implant can be placed immediately after tooth extraction (immediate implantation) or whether a later procedure, following socket healing, would be safer. The initial plan is verified during the extraction procedure itself, based on a direct assessment of the anatomical conditions, bone quality, and the ability to achieve stable implant placement.
Step 2: Prosthetic plan
The position of the implant is chosen taking into account the future crown – its shape, relationship to adjacent teeth, occlusion, and soft tissue alignment. This allows the surgical phase to consider the function and aesthetics of the restoration from the very beginning.
The plan includes the type of restoration, the order of appointments, and any provisional restorations. The doctor also discusses alternatives, the expected treatment time, and any procedures that may be necessary — for example, bone grafting or gum grafting (soft tissue augmentation). Collaboration between the implantologist, prosthodontist, and laboratory is particularly important when aesthetic conditions are complex.
Step 3: Implant placement procedure
The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia, making it completely painless. Patients experiencing a higher level of stress may receive prior sedation, and postoperative comfort is ensured by appropriately selected painkillers. After preparing the surgical site, the surgeon accesses the bone, prepares the implant site, inserts it into the planned position, and evaluates primary stability. This refers to the mechanical stability of the implant immediately after its insertion; it is not the same as subsequent biological stability in the bone tissue.
Subsequent treatment depends on the conditions of the surgical site. The implant may be sealed beneath the gum with a cover screw or connected to a healing abutment that penetrates the soft tissue. In selected cases, a temporary restoration may also be placed. Finally, the doctor closes the incision, applies surgical sutures, and provides individualised postoperative instructions.
How long does dental implant placement take?
The placement of a single implant (commonly referred to as an implant) in a straightforward case can take around half an hour. The appointment will be longer if the procedure involves an extraction, bone regeneration, soft tissue work, or the placement of multiple implants. The time spent in the surgery does not determine the total duration of treatment.
Step 4: Healing and osseointegration
Following the procedure, osseointegration begins—a process that establishes a stable connection between the implant surface and the bone. During this period, the initial mechanical stability is gradually complemented by biological stability. Therefore, the absence of symptoms after a few days does not necessarily mean that the implant is ready to support the full load of the crown.
In accordance with clinical standards and established practice at Malo Clinic centres, the osseointegration process prior to placing the crown on the implant usually takes from a few weeks to several months (most often between 2 and 6 months, depending on the location in the lower or upper jaw). However, this is not a universal timeframe. The rate of healing depends on factors such as the implant site, bone quality, the extent of the procedure, primary stability, overall health, and adherence to recommendations.
If the implant heals subgingivally, a minor procedure to expose it and place a healing abutment may be necessary before the prosthetic phase begins. Its purpose is to allow proper healing and contouring of the tissues around the future crown. The healing abutment is neither an implant nor a definitive abutment.
Step 5: Abutment and Crown
Once proper integration has been confirmed, the dentist proceeds with the prosthetic restoration. An impression or digital scan is taken, providing information about the position of the implant, the occlusion, and adjacent teeth. Depending on the plan, a provisional restoration may be required to gradually shape the soft tissue profile.
The abutment is the connecting element between the implant and the crown. It can be standard or custom-made. The crown, in turn, recreates the visible part of the tooth — its shape, colour, and chewing surface. Once completed, the dentist checks the fit, contact with adjacent teeth, occlusion, and the feasibility of effective oral hygiene. The range of implant-supported restorations is described on the MALO Clinic prosthetics website .
Staged treatment versus immediate placement and reconstruction
The term "same-day implant" can refer to different situations. Immediate placement means placing the implant during the same appointment in which the tooth is extracted. Immediate loading or restoration, on the other hand, means placing the restoration within the first week. One does not necessarily imply the other.
Variant | Timing of implant placement | Timing of reconstruction |
|---|---|---|
Staged treatment | After the area has been prepared and healed | After the osseointegration period |
Immediate placement | During the same appointment as the extraction. | Depends on stability and the plan. |
Immediate reconstruction | The implant is already in the bone. | Temporary restoration within the first week |
Immediate treatment may be appropriate in carefully selected cases, but it requires suitable anatomical conditions, control of risk factors, and sufficient primary stability. If these criteria are not met, staged treatment is not an inferior option; its purpose is to create a predictable environment for healing and reconstruction.
THE MALO CLINIC PROTOCOL allows for immediate rehabilitation with a fixed prosthesis for the entire dental arch. This protocol is specific to patients with edentulism or terminal dentition and should not automatically be equated with the treatment of a single missing tooth.
Follow-up appointments and hygiene after implant placement.
Initial follow-up appointments are intended to assess tissue healing, the wound, and the stitches. The doctor schedules these appointments individually, depending on the extent of the procedure and the technique used. Should pain, bleeding, swelling, or other concerning symptoms worsen, the patient should contact the treatment team as soon as possible, rather than waiting for the scheduled appointment.
Following treatment, the implant requires daily cleaning, just as frequently as natural teeth. Particular attention should be paid to the crown-gum interface and the spaces reached by dental floss, interdental brushes, or other tools recommended by the hygienist. Follow-up appointments and professional hygiene treatments help evaluate the condition of the tissues around the implant and tailor home oral hygiene techniques.
What can change the treatment schedule?
The plan presented following the consultation is based on the current clinical condition. The date of implant placement, healing time, and the timing of crown placement may change if additional tissue preparation is required or if the dentist determines that the implant should remain unloaded for a longer period.
the need for tooth extraction and the time required for the socket to heal;
insufficient bone, augmentation, or sinus floor elevation;
condition of the gums and the need for soft tissue reconstruction;
active inflammation, periodontal disease, or insufficient oral hygiene;
implant site, bone quality, and primary stability achieved;
general medical conditions, medications, and smoking;
number of implants and the degree of complexity of the prosthetic reconstruction.
Therefore, the most reliable answer to the question "how long does dental implant placement take?" is provided by an individualised treatment plan, rather than a single consultation without an examination. A consultation, a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan, and planning of the future prosthesis allow the next stages to be determined and clarify which options are possible in each case. Information regarding treatment can be found on the MALO CLINIC implantology website , and an appointment can be booked via the contact form .
