[Updated 2025] How long does the dental implant process take? Influencing factors

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Expert advice article
Ths. BS CK2 Dương Minh Tùng

Specialty: Dental Implants and Maxillofacial Surgery

Master, Doctor Duong Minh Tung - a prestigious expert in the field of dental implants in Vietnam, with over 16 years of experience and advanced professional certifications.

Dental implants are currently considered the most modern and sustainable tooth restoration solution, helping to restore chewing ability and aesthetics almost like real teeth. However, one of the biggest concerns of many customers before treatment is: “How long does the dental implant process take?”.

In this article, Platinum Dental Group will guide you through the average Dental Implant timeline, detail the steps involved in the process, and highlight the key factors that directly influence the treatment duration. By understanding these points, you can feel mentally prepared, arrange your schedule appropriately, and make the safest, most informed choice for your oral health.

The Dental Implant Timeline: How Long Does the Process Take?

The Dental Implant process requires precision and, critically, time for the implant post to fuse with the jawbone (Osseointegration). Therefore, there is no universal timeframe for everyone. The total duration varies depending on your individual biological factors, oral health status, and the restorative method chosen.

How long does it take to implant a tooth?
How long does it take to implant a tooth?

Phase 1: Dental Implant Placement Surgery

Step 1: Comprehensive Examination, 3D X-ray / CT Scan, 3D Impression Scanning, and Consultation (45 – 60 Minutes)

In the initial step, the doctor conducts a thorough general examination of the patient’s entire oral cavity to assess their current dental health. Following this, X-ray and 3D Cone Beam CT imaging are utilized to accurately evaluate the density and structure of the jawbone, while simultaneously detecting any potential underlying issues such as inflammation or Bone Loss (Bone Resorption).

Bone Grafting Planning: If jawbone loss is detected, the doctor will advise on a plan for Bone Grafting before Implant Placement. If the bone loss is minimal, both grafting and immediate implant placement may be performed simultaneously. However, in cases of severe bone loss, particularly in patients who have worn removable dentures for a long time, the doctor will typically perform the bone graft first and wait approximately 3–6 months for the bone to fully integrate before proceeding to implant placement in Step 2.

The doctor will conduct a general oral examination to assess the patient's current dental health
The doctor will conduct a general oral examination to assess the patient’s current dental health

3D Impression Scanning technology is also applied to accurately record the arch morphology, preparing for potential immediate temporary restoration and supporting detailed treatment planning. Based on all diagnostic results, the doctor will create the most suitable Dental Implant protocol and provide the patient with transparent information on cost, timeline, and necessary care instructions.

Step 2: Implant Placement Surgery and Same-Day Temporary Restoration (20 – 180 Minutes)

Once all health conditions are confirmed, the doctor will proceed with the surgical placement of the Dental Implant post into the jawbone. This procedure typically takes about 20 minutes per post, and with the aid of digital guidance technology and professional expertise, the process is generally minimally invasive with reduced discomfort.

For cases involving full-arch implant placement (where multiple implants are placed in one jaw), the procedure will take longer, usually ranging between 120 – 180 minutes.

The doctor will perform surgery to place the implant into the jaw bone
The doctor will perform surgery to place the implant into the jaw bone

Step 3: Scheduled Follow-up Appointments (7 to 10 Days Post-Surgery)

After the Implant Placement, the patient is required to return to the clinic for scheduled follow-up visits. Regular check-ups allow the doctor to monitor the initial integration of the implant post with the jawbone, as well as the condition of the surrounding gum and soft tissues. If any signs of inflammation or abnormality are detected, the doctor will promptly address them.

This is a critical phase to ensure the implant’s stability and prevent potential complications. Typically, the patient is scheduled for check-ups after one week, one month, and continued monitoring until they are ready to proceed to the final restoration phase.

Phase 2: Porcelain Restoration on the Implant Post (Requires 2 – 3 Appointments)

Step 1: Checking Implant Osseointegration (Approximately 30 Minutes)

After a crucial healing period of approximately 4 – 6 months post-placement, the doctor will conduct a follow-up examination to verify that the Dental Implant post has fully and firmly fused with the jawbone (Osseointegration). This stable integration is the foundation for the implant’s long-term success.

Step 2: Taking Impressions for the Porcelain Crown (Approximately 30 – 45 Minutes)

Once osseointegration is confirmed, the patient’s dental impressions are taken. These precise measurements are sent to the lab to custom-fabricate the permanent Porcelain Crown, ensuring it matches the color and shape of the patient’s natural teeth.

Step 3: Trying on and fixing the porcelain teeth on the Implant (About 60 minutes)

Once completed, the porcelain crown will be fixed onto the Implant post, creating a new tooth with the ability to chew and look like a real tooth. This is the step that closes the entire process, giving the patient a complete, durable and long-lasting set of teeth.

The porcelain crown will be fixed onto the implant post
The porcelain crown will be fixed onto the implant post

You may be interested in: Does Dental Implant Painful? How Long Does the Pain Last?

Key Factors That Determine Your Dental Implant Timeline

The time required to complete the Dental Implant process is highly individualized. Some people may finish the procedure in just a few months, while for others, it might take half a year or longer. The total duration of your Dental Implant treatment depends on multiple factors, ranging from your oral health status and general systemic health to the techniques and materials used.

Jawbone Condition and Number of Implants

One of the largest factors influencing the Dental Implant timeline is the condition of your jawbone. If the patient’s bone is strong, has good density, and minimal Bone Loss (Bone Resorption), the implant placement will proceed quickly, and the post will integrate easily.

The number of implants is also an important factor affecting the implantation time
The number of implants is also an important factor affecting the implantation time

Conversely, in cases of long-term tooth loss leading to severe bone atrophy, the doctor often needs to perform additional procedures such as Bone Grafting or sinus lifts. These interventions not only complicate the process but also significantly extend the waiting time for the bone to heal before subsequent steps can be performed. Furthermore, the number of implants required is also a factor; placing multiple posts simultaneously means the body needs more time for healing and for all posts to achieve stability.

Type of Implant Post Used

There is a wide variety of Implant Posts available on the market, each with unique materials, designs, and surface technologies. High-end implant systems are typically made from pure titanium with specialized surfaces that accelerate the fusion process with the jawbone, thereby significantly shortening the overall recovery time.

In contrast, cheaper, lower-quality implant posts are not only harder to integrate but also carry a higher risk of complications, which can prolong the timeline or even lead to treatment failure. Therefore, choosing a genuine, high-quality implant post that is compatible with your biological structure is a critical factor in determining the speed of your treatment.

The Skill and Experience of Your Doctor

The professional skill and practical experience of the doctor play a crucial role in minimizing the Dental Implant timeline. An experienced surgeon can accurately assess the jawbone condition, select the optimal placement location, and perform the surgery quickly and cleanly, limiting trauma to the soft tissue and bone. This leads to faster patient recovery and minimizes the risk of needing post-surgical adjustments.

The doctor's skills and experience play an important role in shortening the time of dental implant placement
The doctor’s skills and experience play an important role in shortening the time of dental implant placement

The technology available at the dental clinic also directly impacts the treatment time. Modern equipment like 3D Cone Beam CT imaging and surgical guide software ensures the placement process is exceptionally precise, dramatically reducing complications and shortening the overall waiting period.

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    Overall Health Status and Pre-existing Oral Conditions

    The patient’s general systemic health also significantly influences the recovery time following Implant Placement. Individuals in good physical condition and without chronic diseases typically heal faster, and the implant posts integrate more readily. Conversely, patients with conditions like diabetes, osteoporosis, heart disease, or those who smoke will face more challenges during the healing process, inevitably extending the treatment duration.

    Furthermore, if the patient has pre-existing oral health issues, such as periodontitis (gum disease) or decay, the doctor must ensure these problems are fully resolved before proceeding with the implant surgery. This necessary preparatory treatment means the entire process will take additional time to ensure a safe and long-lasting outcome.

    Learn more: How long after dental implant can you eat? What should you eat and avoid?

    How Soon Can I Eat Normally After a Dental Implant?

    How long after dental implant can you eat? This is a very common question of customers before performing dental implants. In fact, the normal chewing time will depend on the patient’s constitution, jaw bone condition and the type of implant used.

    According to many dental specialists, immediately following surgery (within the first 24 hours), you should only consume soft, liquid, and cool foods such as porridge, soup, milk, or smoothies to avoid impacting the newly placed surgical site. Over the next 2–4 weeks, as the wound heals, you can transition to softer items like mashed rice, fish, eggs, and noodles, but you must still avoid chewing directly on the implant location.

    After 2–3 months, when the Dental Implant post is actively undergoing osseointegration, your diet can be more flexible, but very hard or excessively chewy foods should still be avoided. Once the final porcelain crown is attached to the implant (typically after 4–6 months), patients can eat and chew all types of food normally, just like with their natural teeth.

    Safely Shortening the Dental Implant Timeline at Platinum Dental Group

    For patients who wish to complete the Dental Implant process quickly while maintaining long-term safety and effectiveness, Platinum Dental Group is a trustworthy choice. Here, every implant case is performed by a team of highly specialized doctors with many years of experience in the field of dental implantology. Thanks to their deep understanding of jawbone structure, implant placement techniques, and restoration, our doctors can maximally shorten the treatment time while guaranteeing precision, minimizing post-operative pain, and reducing complications.

    Shorten the time for safe dental implant surgery at Platinum Dental Group
    Shorten the time for safe dental implant surgery at Platinum Dental Group

    One of the standout advantages that accelerates the Dental Implant process at Platinum Dental Group is the use of 3D Cone Beam CT Technology. This system allows the doctor to survey the density and volume of the bone in detail, enabling precise surgical planning and optimal placement of the implant post. This not only shortens the operating time but also increases the success rate, helping the implant integrate better with the jawbone.

    Furthermore, Platinum Dental Group utilizes genuine, officially imported implant posts from countries such as Korea, the United States, and Europe, all accompanied by full international quality certifications like the US FDA and European CE mark. Thanks to the biologically safe materials, high biocompatibility, and rapid integration capability, patients can shorten the waiting period and quickly achieve a strong, durable, and aesthetically pleasing set of teeth.

    With our scientific, international-standard procedures, modern equipment, and the support of a highly experienced and specialized team of experts, Platinum Dental Group helps clients save time while maintaining long-lasting results. This makes us the ideal destination for anyone seeking a fast, safe, and precise Dental Implant solution.

    Dental Implants are the optimal solution for restoring missing teeth in terms of both function and aesthetics. While the timeline may vary for each individual, with the modern technology and experienced doctors at Platinum Dental Group, you can absolutely shorten this process while ensuring long-term safety and effectiveness.

    If you are still wondering, “How long does the Dental Implant procedure take?” contact Platinum Dental Group immediately for detailed advice and to schedule your earliest examination. Don’t let missing teeth compromise your confidence and oral health!

    Platinum Dental Group

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