05 November 2026
The Dental Implant Process: What to Expect, Step by Step
Written and clinically reviewed by Dr Shi Karim, Principal Dentist, GDC No. 82155. Last reviewed 2 November 2026.
Most people who ask me about implants have already read a fair bit online. What they usually haven’t found is a straight answer to the practical questions. How many appointments will it take? Will it hurt? What if I’ve been told I don’t have enough bone? And is it worth coming out of the city centre for?
This guide answers those questions as plainly as I can. It’s the conversation I have with patients from across Manchester, written down. For an overview of the treatment itself, see our dental implants page.
An implant is a small post, usually titanium, placed in the jawbone. Over a few months the bone bonds to it, a process called osseointegration, and it then acts as a root for a crown, a bridge or a full set of teeth.
Implants are worth considering if you:
- have lost one or more teeth and don’t want a denture
- have a denture that moves, rubs or makes eating difficult
- have a tooth that can’t be saved and want to plan ahead
- want to avoid cutting down healthy neighbouring teeth for a conventional bridge
They aren’t right for everyone, at least not straight away. Gum disease needs to be under control first, as it’s one of the main reasons implants run into trouble later. Smoking slows healing. Poorly controlled diabetes and some medications, including certain osteoporosis drugs, need careful thought too. None of these is automatically a “no”, but I need to know about them before we plan anything.
The dental implant process, step by step
Every case is different, so treat these timings as a typical range rather than a promise.
1. A free consultation with a treatment coordinator
Your first visit is a free consultation with one of our treatment coordinators. It’s a relaxed conversation rather than an examination: what’s bothering you, what you’d like to achieve and how the process works. It’s also a good time to ask about finance, with no pressure to decide anything.
2. Clinical assessment and 3D scan
Next comes a clinical assessment with a dentist. We check your teeth and gums, take X-rays and, for most implant cases, a 3D CBCT scan. The scan shows the height, width and density of the bone and exactly where the nerves and sinuses sit. That’s what turns a guess into a plan.
The scanner is here at the practice, so there’s no separate trip to an imaging centre. We plan the implant digitally, choosing its size, angle and position on screen, and you get a written treatment plan with your options and a full quote.
3. Preparing the mouth
Some people need work first: treating gum disease, removing a failing tooth or building up bone. After an extraction we usually let the area heal for several weeks, although in some cases the implant can go in at the same appointment.
4. Placing the implant
For many cases we make a surgical guide here at the practice from your digital plan. It’s a thin, custom-made template that steers the implant into exactly the position we planned, so the surgery follows the plan rather than relying on judgement alone in the moment.
Placement is done under local anaesthetic. You’ll feel pressure but shouldn’t feel pain, and a single implant typically takes around an hour. If you’re nervous, ask about dental sedation. Expect some swelling and tenderness for a few days; ordinary painkillers usually cope, and most people are back at work within a day or two.
Our implant placement comes with a 5-year guarantee. We’ll go through exactly what it covers at your consultation.
5. Healing
The implant then needs time to bond with the bone: often around three months in the lower jaw, sometimes longer in the softer upper jaw. If the gap is visible, we’ll make sure you aren’t left without a tooth in the meantime.
6. The final tooth
Once the implant is stable, we scan again and fit your permanent crown, bridge or denture, check your bite and show you how to clean around it.
From first consultation to final tooth, a straightforward single implant usually takes three to six months. Bone grafting can add several months.
Single implants vs All-on-4
For one missing tooth, a single implant with a crown is normally the answer. Where several teeth in a row are missing, two implants can often support a bridge.
All-on-4 is for people who have lost all, or nearly all, of their teeth in one jaw. Four implants (sometimes more) support a full fixed arch. The back two are angled to make the most of the available bone, which often avoids grafting. A fixed temporary set can often be fitted on the day of surgery, with the final set once everything has healed.
|
Single implant |
All-on-4 |
| Best for |
One or a few missing teeth |
A whole arch missing or failing |
| Implants |
One per tooth (or two per bridge) |
Usually four per jaw |
| Teeth on the day |
Not usually |
Fixed temporary teeth often possible |
| Bone grafting |
Sometimes needed |
Often avoided |
You can read more on our All-on-4 page.
What if I don’t have enough bone?
After a tooth is lost, the bone that held it gradually shrinks, which is why long-term denture wearers are often told they “don’t have enough bone”. There are ways round it:
- Bone grafting rebuilds the area, either at the same time as the implant or beforehand. See implant bone grafting.
- A sinus lift raises the sinus floor in the upper back jaw and adds bone underneath.
- Angled implants, as with All-on-4, use the bone that’s already there.
For severe bone loss in the upper jaw, zygomatic implants are longer implants anchored into the cheekbone, which is often much denser than the jawbone. They can allow fixed teeth without major grafting.
Fewer practices offer them because they’re more complex to plan and place. We provide zygomatic implants in-house, using the same on-site scanning and digital planning. If you’ve been turned down for implants elsewhere, it’s worth getting a second opinion. See our zygomatic implants page.
Looking after your implants
An implant can’t decay, but the gum and bone around it can become inflamed (peri-implantitis). Care is much like natural teeth, with a bit more attention:
- Brush twice a day, especially where the crown meets the gum.
- Clean between your teeth daily with interdental brushes or a water flosser.
- Keep up your check-ups and hygienist visits.
- If you smoke, stopping makes a real difference.
- If you grind your teeth, ask about a night guard.
Looked after well, implants can last for many years. The crown on top may eventually need replacing through normal wear.
Cost and finance
The cost depends on how many implants you need, whether grafting is involved and what goes on top, so I’d rather not quote a figure that may not apply to you. After your free consultation and assessment you’ll get a written quote, and nothing goes ahead until you’re happy with it.
We offer interest-free finance options for dental implants, so you can spread the cost. Finance is subject to status and affordability checks.
Implant Open Days
We also run monthly Implant Open Days, where you can save £680 on implant treatment. Dates and details are on our Implant Open Day page.
Why patients travel from Manchester to Cheadle Hulme
We’re at 20A Station Road, right next to Cheadle Hulme station and about 15 minutes by train from Manchester city centre. You can step off the train and be with us in a minute or two.
More importantly, everything happens under one roof: the 3D scan, digital planning, surgical guide and surgery, including zygomatic implants. And with over 1,500 patient reviews, you can read what other patients have made of their experience before you come in.
Frequently asked questions
Does having a dental implant hurt?
It’s done under local anaesthetic, so you shouldn’t feel pain during the procedure. Most people have some soreness and swelling for a few days afterwards, which ordinary painkillers usually manage.
How long does the dental implant process take?
For a straightforward single implant, usually three to six months from start to finish. Bone grafting or extractions can extend this.
Is there a guarantee on dental implants?
Yes. Implant placement comes with a 5-year guarantee. The crown, bridge or denture on top is separate.
Can I have an implant if I smoke?
Often yes, but smoking raises the risk of the implant failing to bond and of gum problems later. We’ll talk it through honestly with you.
Am I too old for implants?
There’s no upper age limit. General health and bone quality matter far more than age.
I’ve been told I don’t have enough bone. Can I still have implants?
Often, yes. Bone grafts, sinus lifts, angled implants or zygomatic implants (which we place in-house) may all be options. A 3D scan shows what’s possible.
Are dental implants available on the NHS?
Only in limited circumstances, usually through hospital services. Implants at our practice are provided privately.
Next steps
The most useful thing you can do is get a proper assessment, so you know what’s actually possible for you. Call us on 0161 486 0743 or get in touch online to book your free consultation.
