Dental Implant Surgery — What Happens, Step by Step
June 24, 2026 · 3 min read
Dental implant surgery is one of the most predictable and successful procedures in modern dentistry, with a documented success rate above 95% when performed correctly. The fear surrounding it usually comes from uncertainty about what actually happens. Here is the complete process, step by step.
Stage 1: Assessment and planning
Before any surgery, a full assessment is essential. At Dentick, this includes a clinical examination of the mouth and gums, a CBCT (Cone Beam CT) scan to map your bone volume, density, and the positions of nerves and sinuses in three dimensions, and discussion of your medical history. The CBCT data allows computer-guided surgical planning — the implant position is planned virtually before a single incision is made.
Stage 2: Implant placement surgery
On the day of surgery, the area is anaesthetised thoroughly. You should feel no pain — only pressure. A small incision is made in the gum, and a precisely sized hole is drilled into the jawbone following the pre-planned position. The titanium implant post is placed into this site. In many cases, the gum is sutured over the implant; in others, a healing cap is left exposed. The entire placement procedure takes 30–60 minutes per implant.
Stage 3: Osseointegration (healing period)
This is the 3–6 month period during which the bone grows around and fuses to the titanium implant surface — a process called osseointegration. The implant becomes biologically integrated with your jaw. During this time, you wear a temporary tooth (crown or denture) over the site. You can eat normally (with some care around the implant site), work, and live normally.
Stage 4: Abutment placement
Once osseointegration is confirmed (either by clinical stability assessment or via X-ray), the gum is reopened if necessary and a connector piece called an abutment is attached to the top of the implant. This is the piece onto which the final crown will attach. In many modern protocols, the abutment is placed at the same time as the implant.
Stage 5: Crown fitting
Impressions of the abutment and surrounding teeth are taken and sent to a dental lab for fabrication of a custom crown — designed to match your existing teeth in colour, shape, and size. The crown is fitted and adjusted at a final appointment. At this point, the implant is complete and functions like a natural tooth.
Pain management and recovery
Post-operative discomfort is typically managed with over-the-counter pain relief and resolves within 3–5 days. Swelling peaks at 48–72 hours and reduces thereafter. A soft diet for the first week is recommended. Laser-assisted healing is offered at Dentick to reduce inflammation and accelerate tissue recovery.
Have questions about your dental health? Our team at Dentick Dental Care is here to help.
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