How long does dental implant treatment take?

The duration of dental implant treatment varies depending on each patient’s individual circumstances and can range from 3 to 12 months.

Although the surgical procedure to insert the implants can take between half an hour and several hours, depending on the number of implants required, the entire process – from the initial consultation to the fitting of the permanent crown – takes place over several months. 

Find out in this article how long each stage of dental implant treatment takes, as well as answers to frequently asked questions about this type of treatment.

Initial consultation and imaging examinations

The first step in dental implant treatment is a specialist consultation and a comprehensive assessment carried out by an implantologist.

Duration: on average, 60–90 minutes.

During the initial consultation, the implantologist:

1. Reviews your medical and dental history;
2. Checks the health of the gums and supporting tissues;
3. Recommends imaging tests (panoramic dental X-ray and computed tomography – CBCT);
4. Discuss treatment options and the estimated duration of each stage.

When it comes to implant treatment, a dental CT scan is the preferred diagnostic method, as it provides a 3D image of the dental and bone structures. This information is essential for a correct and effective dental implant treatment plan.

Detailed investigations such as panoramic X-rays and dental CT scans allow the dentist to identify exactly what type of pre-implant procedures are required and to estimate the total duration of treatment. 

Tooth extraction (if necessary)

If the patient has teeth that are clinically unsalvageable – that is, they cannot be saved and replacement with dental implants is recommended – the next step is to extract these teeth.

Duration: 20–40 minutes per tooth, depending on its position in the dental arch (extracting a molar may take longer).

After extraction, the gum and bone need time to heal. Initial healing of the gum generally takes 7–14 days, but bone consolidation may take longer.

There are situations where, if the bone and tissues are healthy, the implant can be inserted on the same day as the extraction; this procedure is known as immediate implantation. Such a procedure significantly reduces the total duration of treatment, but is not recommended in all cases.

Placement of the dental implant

This is the actual surgical stage of fixing the implant into the bone.

Duration: 30–120 minutes, depending on the number of implants and the complexity of the case.

The procedure is usually carried out under local anaesthesia. In some cases, sedation or conscious sedation is used for greater comfort.

Once the implant has been placed, the bone begins the process of healing and integrating around it (osseointegration).

At DENT ESTET clinics, we use premium dental implants, which have the advantage of being immediately loadable in carefully selected cases. This means that on the day of the surgical procedure, the implant will be placed in the bone, and within a few hours a temporary dental crown can also be fitted. In this way, the patient will not be ‘missing a tooth’ for a long period of time.

Osseointegration (bone healing)

Osseointegration is the process by which the maxillary or mandibular bone bonds biologically to the surface of the implant, giving it permanent stability.
This is the most important and, at the same time, the longest stage of treatment.

Duration: 

• on average, between 3 and 6 months for dental implants replacing a single tooth;
• on average, between 3 and 6 months for complex cases of oral rehabilitation using the All-on-4 implant system, extending to 9 months for cases requiring bone augmentation or extensive bone reconstruction.

The duration of this phase depends on a number of factors:

• bone density (the bone in the lower jaw usually heals faster than that in the upper jaw);
• the patient’s general health;
• smoking and other systemic conditions (such as diabetes);
• implant surface technology.

According to specialists, the osseointegration phase is crucial to the long-term success of dental implant treatment. Without this complete integration into the bone, the implant cannot withstand the forces of chewing.

Fitting the prosthetic abutment

The prosthetic abutment is an original component of the implant system, manufactured by the same manufacturer (e.g. Straumann or Nobel Biocare), and forms part of the implant’s approved accessories. It is sent to the dental laboratory, where it is integrated into the dental crown produced using CAD/CAM technology, resulting in the prosthetic assembly that will subsequently be fixed onto the implant.

Fitting the dental crown

In conventional dental implant treatment, the permanent dental crown is fitted following the osseointegration period. 

Duration:

• The crown is fabricated based on digital scans taken after the implant has been inserted.
• The production of a custom-made dental crown takes, on average, 1 week.
• Fitting the crown takes approximately 30–60 minutes.

If the patient requires ‘Fixed Teeth in 24 Hours’ treatment, the process is completely different: the fixed temporary prosthetic restoration is attached to the implants on the same day or within a maximum of 24 hours of their insertion.

This restoration remains functional throughout the osseointegration period (approximately 6 months), and after healing it is replaced with the final, custom-made restoration.

Find out more about the 24-hour fixed denture treatment.

Dental implant treatment without bone grafting (single implant)

Duration:

• Initial consultation + treatment plan: 60–90 minutes;
• Surgical procedure for implant placement: 1–2 hours;
• Osseointegration period: 3–6 months (simple case);
• Fitting of the dental crown to the abutment: after 1–2 weeks.

Total duration: between 3 and 6 months, depending on the type of implant and the patient’s state of health.

Dental implant treatment with bone augmentation (one or more implants)

If there is insufficient bone to support an implant, the specialist will recommend additional procedures, such as bone grafting.

Duration:

• Initial consultation + treatment plan: 60–90 minutes;
• Bone grafting surgery: 60–120 minutes depending on complexity;
• Healing following bone grafting: 4–6 months (simple cases), up to 9 months (complex cases);
• Surgery to insert the implant(s): 1–2 hours;
• Osteointegration period: approximately 6 months;
• Fitting of the prosthetic abutment and dental crown: 3–5 weeks.

Total duration: can be up to 8–12 months or longer

24-Hour Fixed Dentures Treatment

This treatment involves the insertion of 4 or 6 strategically positioned implants along the dental arch and the fitting of a fixed temporary restoration on the same day, which is immediately functional.

Duration:

• Initial consultation + investigations (3D CBCT) + treatment plan: 60–90 minutes;
• Digital planning and preparation of the surgical guide: 3–7 days (carried out by the team between the consultation and the procedure);
• Surgical procedure (placement of 4 or 6 implants per arch): 2–4 hours;
• Fitting of the fixed temporary prosthesis: on the same day or within a maximum of 24 hours;
• Osteointegration period (with the fixed provisional restoration in place): 3–6 months;
• Replacement of the temporary restoration with the permanent one (digital scan + fabrication + fitting): 2–4 weeks.

Total duration: between 3–6 months or longer.

The total duration of treatment can be influenced by several factors:

• Bone quality and density – denser bone heals more quickly;
• The presence or absence of remaining teeth – extractions require time to heal;
• The need for bone grafting – this significantly extends the duration;
• General health – diabetes, smoking or a weakened immune system can delay healing;
• The number of implants – multiple implants may require separate planning and healing periods;
• The technology used – implants with modern surfaces accelerate osseointegration.

There are situations in which treatment can be partially accelerated:

• Immediate implant – placing the implant at the same time as the tooth extraction, provided the bone and gum are in optimal condition;
• Rapid (immediate) loading – in some cases, the temporary crown can be fitted on the day the implant is inserted;
• Digital technologies and surgical guides – computerised planning reduces the duration of the procedure and the healing time.

These options are not suitable for all patients, and the decision is made following a detailed assessment of each individual case.

D. Thomas, L. Mancini, R. Jung. – Timing of Dental Implant Placement: The Past, the Present, the Future, Journal of Periodontal Research, 2026