How Long Does Implant Treatment Take? Is Same-Day Implant Possible?

Traditional implant treatments usually require patience, but thanks to digitalized dentistry, in suitable cases the process can now be reduced from weeks to days, or even hours.

A classic implant treatment consists of four main stages: an examination and planning day where the bone structure is assessed with 3D panoramic tomography; a surgical procedure lasting 15-30 minutes; an osseointegration period — roughly 3 months for the upper jaw and 2 months for the lower jaw — during which the implant fuses with the bone; and a prosthetic stage where the permanent tooth is attached once bone integration is complete.

When conditions allow, same-day implants — known medically as immediate loading — are possible. The implant is placed in the same session as the tooth extraction, and a temporary fixed tooth is attached right away, so the patient never leaves the clinic without a tooth. This method suits patients with good jawbone volume and density and no active infection, and it's especially valuable for immediately resolving the aesthetic impact of missing front teeth.

Treatment time can vary from person to person: if bone is insufficient, a bone graft procedure can extend the waiting period to up to 6 months, while in some cases laser-assisted treatment can speed up tissue healing and shorten the process. Systemic conditions like uncontrolled diabetes can also slow healing.

Planning everything digitally before surgery with 3D tomography shortens the surgical time, while digital impressions eliminate the hassle and margin of error of traditional impression-taking, allowing prosthetics to be prepared much faster.