The Dental Implant Procedure: What to Expect, Step by Step

Dental implants have quietly become the gold standard for replacing missing teeth — but for anyone considering treatment for the first time, the process itself can feel like a black box. How long does it take? Does it hurt? What actually happens on the day?

At Confident Smile Dental Practice in Shepperton, we walk patients through this process every week, and the more we explain it, the calmer people feel. There's very little mystery once you know what each stage involves.

This is a full, honest walk-through — from the first phone call to the moment you're smiling in the mirror with your final tooth in place.

Stage 1: Consultation and assessment

Every implant journey starts with a proper consultation. This is not a sales pitch — it's a diagnostic appointment.

What we do:

• A full clinical examination of your mouth, gums and remaining teeth.
• Digital photographs to document your starting point.
• A 3D CBCT scan — a cone-beam CT that gives us a three-dimensional view of your jawbone. This shows exactly how much bone you have, where the nerves and sinuses sit, and where implants can safely be placed.
• Digital impressions of your bite using a scanning wand (no messy trays).
• A conversation about your medical history, any medications you take, and any concerns you have. If you're anxious about dental treatment, please tell us — we treat many nervous patients and there are gentle options at every stage.

Time: 45–60 minutes. How it feels: Completely non-invasive. Just talking, looking, scanning.

You leave with a clear understanding of whether implants are right for you, and if so, what the plan looks like.

Stage 2: Treatment planning

After your consultation, we build a detailed treatment plan. You'll receive a written document setting out:

• How many implants are recommended and where.
• Whether any preparatory work is needed (extractions, gum treatment, bone grafting).
• The proposed timeline.
• All costs, itemised and transparent — no surprises later.
• Finance options if you'd like to spread payment.

This is your chance to ask every question you have. Some patients decide on the spot; others take a week or two to think it over. Both are completely fine. There's no pressure. You can learn more about the full range of options on our dental implants page.

Stage 3: Any preparation appointments

Depending on your situation, one or more preparation visits may be needed before implant surgery:

• Extractions if damaged teeth need removing (sometimes done on the same day as implant placement).
• Hygiene therapy to make sure your gums are healthy — implants need a clean environment to succeed.
• Bone grafting or a sinus lift if your bone volume is insufficient. Grafting requires 3–6 months of healing before implants can go in.

Not everyone needs any of this. Many patients go straight to surgery.

Stage 4: The surgery day

This is the appointment people worry about most, and almost always the appointment they leave saying "That was easier than I thought."

What happens:

1. Numbing. Local anaesthetic is administered — the same type used for a filling. If you've chosen sedation, that begins now too.
2. Small opening in the gum. A tiny incision exposes the jawbone at the planned site.
3. Precise drilling. Using a guide made from your 3D scan, we create the exact-sized channel for the implant. This is a series of progressively larger drills, each used for just seconds.
4. Implant placement. The titanium implant — usually 3–5mm wide and 8–14mm long — is gently screwed into place.
5. Healing cap fitted. A small cover keeps the implant clean while it heals.
6. Gum closed. A few stitches, usually dissolvable.

Time per implant: roughly 30–60 minutes. For multiple implants placed at once, budget 2–3 hours.

How it actually feels: With local anaesthetic, you feel pressure but not sharp pain. You'll hear the drilling — many patients say listening to music or a podcast through headphones helps. Most describe it as far less unpleasant than a difficult extraction.

After surgery:

• Mild swelling and bruising for 2–5 days.
• Discomfort typically managed with paracetamol or ibuprofen.
• Soft food for a week or so.
• You can usually return to desk work the next day.

We call every patient the day after surgery to check in.

Stage 5: Healing and osseointegration

This is the longest stage — and the least dramatic. Your body does most of the work.

Osseointegration is the biological process where your jawbone grows into and around the titanium implant, locking it in place as if it were a natural tooth root. It's an extraordinary process — and it's the reason implants last decades.

Timeframe:

• Lower jaw: typically 8–12 weeks.
• Upper jaw: typically 12–24 weeks (upper bone is less dense).
• After grafting or a sinus lift: longer, sometimes up to 6 months.

What you do during healing:

• Brush and clean normally, gently around the healing cap.
• Attend a check-up appointment or two so we can confirm everything is on track.
• Wear a temporary tooth if the gap is visible when you smile — we can provide a discreet option.

How it feels: completely unremarkable after the first week or two. Most patients forget the implant is there.

Stage 6: Impressions for your final crown

Once the implant has integrated, we take precise digital impressions of the implant position and your bite. These are sent to our laboratory, where your custom crown, bridge or denture is made.

Time: 30–45 minutes. Turnaround: typically 2–3 weeks for the lab work.

Stage 7: Fitting your final restoration

The moment you've been waiting for.

What we do:

• Remove the healing cap.
• Attach an abutment — the connector between the implant and the crown.
• Fit and adjust your crown, bridge, or denture for a perfect bite and appearance.
• Take final photographs and give you cleaning instructions.

Time: 45–60 minutes. How it feels: No anaesthetic needed for most patients. The tooth simply appears.

You leave with a fully functional, natural-looking tooth. Most patients tell us they forget which one is the implant within a few weeks.

Stage 8: Long-term care

Implants are extraordinarily durable but not maintenance-free.

• Brush twice daily, including around the implant.
• Floss or use interdental brushes daily — cleaning under and around the implant is critical.
• Hygiene visits every 6 months.
• Annual check-up with X-rays to monitor bone levels.

Look after your implants and they can last a lifetime. Neglect them, and gum disease around implants (peri-implantitis) can develop just as it can around natural teeth.

Overall timeline summary

| Stage | Duration | |---|---| | Consultation to treatment plan | 1–2 weeks | | Any preparation (grafts, extractions) | Up to 6 months if needed | | Implant placement | 1 appointment | | Healing/osseointegration | 8–24 weeks | | Impressions | 1 appointment | | Final crown fitted | 1 appointment (2–3 weeks after impressions) |

Typical straightforward case: 4–6 months from surgery to final tooth. Complex case with grafting: 9–12 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is implant surgery painful? No. It's done under local anaesthetic (with sedation if you'd like). Most patients say it was easier than a difficult extraction. Post-op discomfort is usually managed with over-the-counter painkillers.

Can I drive myself home after surgery? Yes if you've only had local anaesthetic. No if you've had IV or oral sedation — you'll need someone to collect you.

How long do I take off work? Most patients return to desk work the next day. Physical jobs may need 2–3 days.

What if I'm terrified of dentists? You're in the right place. We offer gentle sedation, extra time, breaks whenever you need, and no judgement. See our nervous patients page for how we approach anxious treatment.

When can I eat normally? Soft food for the first week after surgery. Normal food during healing, avoiding biting hard on the implant site. Full function once the final crown is fitted.

How successful are implants? Success rates are around 95–98% in healthy patients. Smoking, uncontrolled diabetes and poor oral hygiene reduce success rates.

What can go wrong? The main risks are infection, implant failure (the bone not integrating), and — long-term — gum disease around the implant if hygiene is neglected. All are uncommon and manageable when caught early.

If you're considering implants and want a clear, honest assessment of what your journey would look like, book a consultation. No pressure, no jargon — just a proper conversation about whether implants are right for you.