We understand that planning implant treatment raises practical questions. How many visits will it take? How far apart are they? What can you actually do between appointments, at work or on holiday? This guide answers those questions so you can plan with confidence.
For a full explanation of what an implant is and who it suits, see our dental implants treatment page. Here, we focus on the appointment schedule itself: the visits, the gaps and what happens at each one.
How many appointments do dental implants take?
Most single-implant journeys involve three or four main visits over several months, plus short healing reviews in between. The long gaps between appointments are necessary to allow your mouth to heal before moving on to the next stage of treatment.
A typical schedule looks like this:
- Consultation and assessment
- Implant placement
- A short review, then fitting the abutment once healing is confirmed
- Fitting your final crown, bridge or denture
The number of visits varies. If you need preparatory work, expect an extra appointment or two. If you have several implants placed together, some steps combine into one planned session.
Visit 1: consultation and assessment
Our team, with over 75 years of combined experience, examines your teeth and gums, discusses your goals and reviews your medical history.
You will usually have a 3D CBCT scan as part of your assessment. This detailed image helps us judge the health and volume of your jawbone and plan the position of your implant precisely.
By the end of this visit you should have a tailored treatment plan, a clear schedule of appointments and transparent pricing. Ask us about finance options if you would like to spread the cost.
If you need preparation first
Some patients need groundwork before placement, such as treating gum disease, removing a tooth that cannot be saved, or a bone graft where extra support is needed. Grafting can sometimes happen during placement rather than as a separate step. We will explain how any preparation fits your timeline.
Visit 2: implant placement
Placing the implant is a minor surgical procedure carried out under local anaesthetic, so you should not feel pain during the procedure. If you feel nervous, ask about conscious sedation and general anaesthetic options.
An implant is usually made of titanium and is positioned gently into the jawbone. For a single implant, placement typically takes 30 to 90 minutes.
Planning around work and holidays
Afterwards, you may notice mild swelling or tenderness that usually settles within a few days. Many patients return to desk-based work the next day, though it is sensible to keep the first day or two free. If you have booked a trip, mention it at your consultation so we can plan the timing around it.
If you choose general anaesthetic
For nervous patients or more complex cases, we can carry out placement under general anaesthetic, with a consultant anaesthetist present throughout. You will need a full day of rest afterwards. Under GA, several implants can often be placed in one planned session, which reduces the number of surgical visits. In some cases, an All on 4 restoration is designed so a temporary set of teeth can be fitted quickly rather than waiting through the full healing period.
Risks we discuss beforehand
Implants are a well-established way to replace missing teeth, but no procedure is without risk. We talk you through possible complications such as infection, gum inflammation around the implant, occasional nerve involvement, and the small chance that an implant does not integrate. Knowing these in advance is part of giving informed consent.
Between visits: the healing period
After placement, your bone needs time to bond with the implant. In most suitable patients, this creates a stable foundation for the final tooth. Healing usually takes three to six months, though this varies from person to person.
You will not need to visit often during this time, though we may invite you back for short healing reviews. We cover this stage in detail in our guide to dental implant recovery time, including aftercare and what can affect healing.
Will you have a gap while it heals?
Where clinically suitable, we will fit a temporary restoration so you are not left with a visible space. A temporary is designed to look natural but is not as robust as your final crown, so we will explain how to care for it. Not every case allows a temporary, and we will be honest about what is possible for you.
Visit 3: confirming healing and fitting the abutment
Before we move on, we confirm that the implant has integrated, usually with a radiograph. Once we are satisfied, we attach a small connector called an abutment, which links the implant to your final tooth.
Sometimes the abutment is placed during the original surgery. In other cases we fit a healing abutment, or gum former, at a short separate appointment so your gum can shape neatly around it.
Visit 4: fitting your final tooth
This is the visit most people look forward to. We take precise impressions or a digital scan so your restoration matches the shape, size and shade of your natural teeth.
Your crown is matched to your natural teeth so that it blends in and restores function. When it is ready, we fix it securely onto the abutment.
If you are replacing several teeth, a bridge, denture or an All on 4 restoration may be fitted at this stage instead of a single crown.
After your treatment
Your care does not end when your tooth is in place. We invite you back for a review to check everything is settling well. Day-to-day care is straightforward: brush and clean between your teeth, keep up regular check-ups and hygiene visits, and avoid smoking, which can affect healing. With good care, a well-placed implant can serve you for many years.
Clinically reviewed by Dr Karan Maini (BDS, Dip OS), Principal Dentist. Last reviewed: July 2026. This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for a personal consultation. Individual results and treatment plans vary from patient to patient.
