Dental Implant Procedure: What to Expect and How to Prepare

Stage 1: Consultation and Treatment Planning

Every implant case at Picasso Dental begins with a CBCT scan and a clinical examination. The three-dimensional scan reveals the exact width, height, and bone density at the implant site, identifies the positions of the inferior alveolar nerve and sinus floors, and flags any pathology that must be addressed before surgery.

The consultation appointment covers your medical history (medications, systemic conditions, smoking status), your aesthetic goals, and a full review of the CBCT findings. From this, a treatment plan is produced showing implant position, any bone augmentation requirements, and the provisional and final restoration design.

Patients travelling from abroad often have their CBCT scans taken locally and share the DICOM files by email. Our team reviews the images and returns a detailed treatment plan and cost estimate within 48 hours.

Stage 2: Preparatory Work (If Required)

Not every patient needs preparatory procedures, but when the existing bone volume is insufficient, augmentation must precede implant placement.

• Tooth extractionIf the failing tooth has not yet been removed, extraction is typically performed four to eight weeks before implant surgery to allow initial soft tissue healing. A socket preservation graft is often placed at the same appointment.
• Bone graftingParticulate or block grafts restore lost volume. A membrane placed over the graft prevents soft tissue ingrowth. Healing time: four to six months before re-evaluation.
• Sinus liftRequired for implants in the upper posterior region when the sinus floor is too low. A lateral window or crestal approach elevates the sinus membrane and grafts the space created.
• Periodontal treatmentActive gum disease must be controlled before implant surgery. Implants placed in a mouth with uncontrolled periodontitis face substantially elevated failure risk.

Stage 3: Implant Surgery

On the day of surgery, local anaesthesia is administered to the implant site. IV sedation is available for anxious patients or complex multi-implant cases. Once the area is fully numb, a small incision is made in the gum and a series of precision drills create the implant socket at the planned angle and depth.

The titanium implant is then inserted and the gum is sutured closed. A healing cap or temporary restoration may be placed at the same appointment, depending on primary stability and the treatment plan.

The entire surgical appointment for a single standard implant takes approximately 60 to 90 minutes. For full-arch cases, allow four to six hours.

What to Expect Immediately After Surgery

Swelling peaks at 48 hours and subsides over the following three to four days. Bruising may develop along the jaw or cheek — this is normal and resolves within a week. Mild to moderate pain is managed with paracetamol or ibuprofen; most patients find that prescription-strength analgesics are unnecessary.

Eat soft foods for the first two weeks. Avoid the implant site when chewing. Do not use a straw — suction pressure can disturb the clot. Do not smoke. Take the prescribed antibiotics for the full course. Rinse gently with the provided chlorhexidine mouthwash twice daily.

Stage 4: Osseointegration (The Healing Phase)

Osseointegration is the biological process by which the jawbone grows into and around the titanium implant surface, creating a stable biological anchor. It cannot be rushed. For standard implants in healthy bone, the process takes eight to twelve weeks. For implants placed in grafted bone, allow four to six months.

During this period, you wear a temporary crown, bridge, or removable partial denture so you always have something in place for aesthetics and function. The temporary restoration is designed to avoid placing heavy biting forces on the healing implant.

A follow-up appointment at six weeks checks healing progress. If the implant has integrated well, the abutment stage can proceed.

Stage 5: Abutment Placement and Final Crown

Once integration is confirmed, a small second procedure places the abutment — the connector piece between the implant body and the crown. For tissue-level implants, this step is minimal; the gum collar simply needs to heal for two to four weeks before impressions are taken.

Impressions (or digital scans) capture the exact position of the implant and the shape of the surrounding teeth. The data is sent to the ceramic laboratory, where a custom crown is fabricated to match your adjacent teeth in colour, shape, and translucency.

The final crown is fitted and adjusted at the last appointment. The bite is checked carefully. Once confirmed, the crown is either screwed or cemented into place.

Before and After Surgery: What to Do