What is the order of the implant process?
An implant is a treatment in which an artificial root (fixture) is placed in the bone, and after it has firmly attached to the bone, a crown is placed on top. The surgery itself is short, and most of the total period is time spent waiting for the bone to attach.
| Step | What is done | Timing / time needed |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Diagnosis and consultation | Panoramic X-ray and CT, checking the amount of bone and the position of the nerve, planning | First visit, 30 minutes to 1 hour |
| 2. Placement surgery | Placing the fixture under local anesthesia, with a bone graft if needed | 30 minutes to 1 hour per implant |
| 3. Stitch removal | Checking the wound | 7–10 days after surgery |
| 4. Period for the bone to attach | The implant and bone bond together (osseointegration) | Lower jaw 2–3 months, upper jaw 3–6 months |
| 5. Shaping the gums | Opening the gum that covered the implant and connecting a healing cap (when needed) | After the bone has attached |
| 6. Impression | Taking an impression to make the crown, matching the color | After the gums have settled |
| 7. Crown placement | Connecting it and adjusting the bite | 1–2 weeks after the impression |
Why does implant treatment time differ from person to person?
What changes the period most is the amount and location of the bone. The upper jaw has softer bone than the lower jaw, and the upper molars are close to the maxillary sinus, so the waiting time is longer.
| Case | Approximate period (from placement to crown) |
|---|---|
| Lower jaw, enough bone | 2–3 months |
| Upper jaw, enough bone | 3–6 months |
| Small bone graft at the same time as placement | 4–6 months |
| Bone graft first, implant placed later | 3–6 months of waiting after the bone graft + the period after placement |
| With a sinus lift | 6 months or more |
When a tooth is pulled and then an implant is placed, the time for the gums and bone to heal after extraction (usually 1–3 months) is added at the beginning. Whether a bone graft is really necessary is explained separately in bone grafts for implants.
How many visits does an implant take?
For a single implant without a bone graft, it is usually around 5–7 visits. Stitch removal and interim checks take only 10–20 minutes, so you can come in during your lunch break.
- Consultation and diagnosis: 1 visit
- Placement surgery: 1 visit
- Stitch removal: 1 visit
- Interim checks: 1–2 visits
- Second surgery to open the gum: 0–1 visits (skipped if the healing cap is left exposed from the start)
- Impression: 1 visit; crown placement: 1–2 visits
What happens to the gap while the bone is attaching?
For front teeth, most people cover the gap with a temporary tooth, while for molars the gap is usually left empty. A front temporary tooth is attached to the neighboring teeth or, if conditions allow, connected directly to the implant. In either case, the rule is not to chew with the temporary tooth. For front teeth, the shape and gumline also need attention, so they are planned separately as a front tooth implant.
Can implant treatment time be shortened?
If the conditions are right, it can be shortened, but forcing the bone attachment time itself to be shorter increases the risk of failure. Realistic ways to save time are as follows.
- Get a consultation before the tooth is pulled: it can be judged in advance whether immediate placement on the day of extraction is possible.
- Do not leave the gap for long after extraction: if the bone narrows, the bone graft becomes larger.
- Quit smoking and control diabetes: this reduces causes that slow down bone bonding.
More important than the period is confirming that the bone has fully attached before placing the crown.
How we handle it at Wonjin Dental
At Wonjin Dental, we take a panoramic X-ray and three-dimensional (CT) images at the first visit to check whether a bone graft or sinus lift is needed, and first tell you the expected period and visit schedule that fit your case. Implants are chosen from Osstem SA, BA, and SOI, and the differences between products are summarized in implant product names. People aged 65 or over can also get insurance-covered implants. Prices can be checked on all treatment fees.
Frequently asked questions
Are multiple implants placed at once?
If the bone and your general health are fine, they can be placed at once, and sometimes they are split up because of swelling or scheduling. If the gaps are next to each other, there is also a method where implants are not placed in every gap, and a three-unit connected crown is placed on two implants.
Can I go on a business trip abroad while the bone is attaching?
Once the stitches are out and the wound has stabilized, it is usually fine. However, there are interim check appointments, so if you let us know your travel plans in advance, we will schedule around them.
Is treatment finished once the crown is placed?
Treatment is finished, but care starts from that point. For the first year, it is good to have checkups every 3–6 months to check the bite and the condition of the gums.
