How long does dental implant treatment take?
From the first consultation to the final crown, a single dental implant typically takes around three to six months. Most of that is healing time, while the bone bonds to the implant and you carry on with normal life. If a bone graft or sinus lift is needed first, that typically adds around three to six months. You are only in the chair for a handful of short appointments.
Written and reviewed by Dr Ali El-Kabengi (GDC 270807), principal dentist at Toothi London, 1 Handel Parade, Edgware HA8 6LD, who has a special interest in implant dentistry. Updated 3 October 2026. Timings are typical, not guaranteed; your own timeline is set out in your written plan after your scan.
The implant timeline, stage by stage
| Stage | What happens | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Consultation | We examine the gap and the teeth around it, talk through an implant against a bridge or denture, and give you a written plan. Free at Toothi. | One appointment |
| 2. CBCT 3D scan | A 3D scan of the jaw shows bone height, width and density, and whether a graft or sinus lift is needed. Taken at a referral imaging centre and paid to them directly. | One short visit, arranged after your consultation |
| 3. Plan and fixed price | Your implant position is planned from the scan, and you receive the full price in writing before you commit. | After the scan |
| 4. Implant placement | The implant is placed under local anaesthetic. | Typically around an hour |
| 5. Healing | The bone grows onto the implant surface (osseointegration). You feel nothing while this happens. | Typically around 3–6 months |
| 6. Your crown | A scan of the healed implant, then your porcelain crown is made and fitted. | Usually two short appointments |
| 7. Reviews | We check the implant, the gum around it and your bite. | Included in the £1,995 |
What makes implant treatment take longer
- A bone graft. If a tooth has been missing for a while, the bone shrinks. A small graft can often be placed at the same time as the implant; a larger one usually needs to heal first, which typically adds around three to six months.
- A sinus lift. In the upper back teeth the sinus can sit close above the bone. An internal sinus lift is often done with the implant; a lateral-window lift usually needs healing time before or after placement.
- A tooth that still needs taking out. The socket usually heals for a period before the implant goes in. Whether an implant can be placed at the same visit as the extraction depends on the bone and the infection risk, and is decided from your scan.
- The upper jaw. Bone in the upper jaw is generally softer than in the lower jaw, so healing is often towards the longer end of the range.
- Smoking and general health. Smoking and poorly controlled diabetes slow healing and raise the risk of the implant not integrating. Untreated gum disease needs to be stabilised before an implant is placed.
Will I have a gap while it heals?
For a front tooth, a temporary tooth can be fitted so you’re never left with a visible gap; we’ll talk through the options at your consultation. For a back tooth, the gap is usually left to heal undisturbed, because chewing pressure on a new implant can stop it bonding to the bone.
How much time off work?
Most people take the day of placement off and keep the following day light. The first two days are typically the most sore, and most people are back to normal eating within a week. Read what implant placement really feels like for the day-by-day detail.
What it costs at Toothi
| New implant consultation — includes a written plan | Free |
| CBCT 3D scan — at a referral imaging centre, paid to them directly | Not included |
| Single tooth implant including crown — Osstem implant · abutment · porcelain crown · all reviews | £1,995 |
| Second implant placed at the same visit | £1,795 |
| Bone graft — minor / socket preservation, if needed | from £395 |
| Sinus lift — internal, if needed | £595 |
Every figure is on our fees page. Fixed full-arch bridges (All-on-X) are available, priced on assessment at your free consultation. See also how long dental implants last, London implant prices compared and implants vs dentures vs bridge.
Common questions
How many appointments does a dental implant need?
Usually a handful: the consultation, the CBCT scan at the imaging centre, placement, one or two appointments for the crown, and reviews. Most are short; placement itself typically takes around an hour.
Why does the implant need months to heal?
The bone has to grow onto the implant surface before it can safely take biting force. That process, osseointegration, typically takes around three to six months, and it is what makes an implant stable for the long term.
How long does it take if I need a bone graft?
A small graft placed with the implant may add little or no time. A larger graft that has to heal before the implant goes in typically adds around three to six months. Your CBCT scan shows which applies before you commit.
Can I get the whole thing done in one day?
For a single implant, the standard approach is to let the bone heal before the final crown is fitted, because loading an implant too early raises the risk of it failing. Whether any stage can be combined depends on your bone and is decided from your scan, not promised in advance.
Book a free implant consultation (a £50 deposit online, refunded when you attend or give 24 hours’ notice) · WhatsApp us · 020 3148 2444
0% finance is available over up to 10 months on treatment over £250. Cherry Dental Ltd trading as Toothi is a credit broker, not a lender, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 957242). Credit is provided by Tabeo, subject to status. All fees are confirmed in a written treatment plan before any treatment begins.
