Implant Process and Timeline: Tests, Placement, Osseointegration and Prosthesis Attachment
An implant proceeds in the order of examination and planning, placement of the artificial tooth root, the period of bonding with the bone, and attachment of the prosthesis. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA, 질병관리청) says it generally takes 3-4 months for the artificial root to bond with the bone, and the whole period is longer if a bone graft is needed. After the prosthesis is placed, it takes another 1-2 months or so to get used to chewing with the new tooth.
Key facts
| Imaging before surgery | 3D dental CT, panoramic image, intraoral radiographs (source: KDCA National Health Information Portal) |
|---|---|
| Time to bond with bone | Generally 3-4 months (longer with a bone graft) (source: KDCA National Health Information Portal) |
| Swelling after surgery | Worst around 48 hours (source: KDCA National Health Information Portal) |
| Time to adapt to chewing | 1-2 months after the prosthesis is attached (source: KDCA National Health Information Portal) |
| Health insurance treatment stages | Three stages: diagnosis and treatment planning, fixture placement, prosthesis restoration (source: National Health Insurance Service (NHIS, 국민건강보험공단)) |
What tests are done before implant surgery?
First, the height and width of the jawbone and the positions of the nerve canal and maxillary sinus are checked with a 3D dental CT, a panoramic image and intraoral radiographs. A diagnostic model is made from an impression or an intraoral scan, and the angle and depth for placing the artificial root are planned.
General health is checked as well. Diabetes, osteoporosis medication, blood thinners and smoking affect the surgical plan, so write them all on the medical history form. Decay and gum disease in the remaining teeth are treated first, before placement.
When the tests are finished, you hear whether a bone graft is needed, how many implants will be placed and where, and how the prosthesis will be fixed. For an insured implant in Korea, the clinic completes registration of the patient with the National Health Insurance Service at this stage and then starts the procedure.
What happens on the day the artificial tooth root is placed?
After local anesthesia, the gum is opened, a hole is made in the jawbone, and the titanium fixture is placed. If bone is lacking, a bone graft is done before or after this step to induce bone regeneration.
The KDCA explains that if the angle of placement is wrong or the gap to the neighboring tooth is insufficient, the adjacent tooth may be damaged; in the lower jaw, nerve canal damage can cause altered sensation, and in the upper jaw, sinusitis can occur. This is why distances are measured on a CT before surgery.
Right after surgery there may be swelling, pain and a feeling that it is hard to open the mouth, and swelling is worst around 48 hours. If your blood pressure is high or you take anticoagulants, bleeding may last longer, so follow the clinic's instructions for stopping bleeding.
How do I get through the period while the implant bonds with the bone?
Osseointegration, in which the fixture bonds firmly with the bone, generally takes 3-4 months. During this period, do not chew hard on the surgical site, and go to the clinic on the set days for suture removal and progress checks.
For conspicuous sites such as front teeth, a temporary tooth is sometimes used depending on the clinic. Smoking interferes with bonding to the bone, so it should be avoided especially in this period, and brushing and rinsing at the surgical site should follow the instructions received from the clinic.
During this period, if the gum swells, pus comes out, or the placed site feels loose, get it checked even before the appointment date. The degree of bonding with the bone is confirmed by radiograph and examination before moving on to the prosthesis stage.
When and how is the implant prosthesis attached?
When osseointegration is confirmed, the connecting post (abutment) is fitted on the fixture, an impression is taken, and the artificial tooth is made. The finished prosthesis is fixed with cement or a retaining screw, and the position and force of contact with the opposing teeth are adjusted.
For insured implants in Korea, the principle is to go through the three stages of diagnosis and treatment planning, fixture placement and prosthesis restoration in order. Each stage is not a procedure finished in one day but a unit bundling several visits.
After the prosthesis is attached, it takes 1-2 months to adapt to the new tooth. For an insured implant, checks and adjustments at the same clinic for 3 months after placement cost only the consultation fee.
When does the overall implant timeline get longer?
If bone is lacking and a bone graft or sinus lift is done first, you have to wait until the bone has settled. The timeline is also extended when the implant is not placed right after extraction and one waits for the extraction site to heal.
There are also cases where the fixture does not bond with the bone and has to be placed again. For insured implants, only in osseointegration failure can the fixture placement stage be redone once.
When several implants are placed, or the upper and lower jaws are treated together, the bone condition differs by site, so schedules may move separately. The 2 insured implants need not all be done in the same year and can be received at separate times within the lifetime number.
- When a bone graft or sinus lift is needed
- When waiting for gum and bone to heal after extraction
- When blood sugar control or medication adjustment is needed first
- When osseointegration fails and the fixture is placed again
Common myths and facts
Myth: An implant is finished in a single visit.
After the artificial root is placed, it generally takes 3-4 months to bond with the bone, and then the prosthesis is attached. It is not a process finished in one day.
Myth: Several stages of an insured implant can also be crammed into a single day.
The National Health Insurance Service explains that the principle is to go through the 3 stages in order, and that each stage bundles visits over several days.
Myth: Heavy swelling the day after surgery means something went wrong.
The KDCA explains that swelling after surgery is worst around 48 hours. However, if swelling keeps growing or you get a fever, contact the clinic.
Frequently asked questions
How many months does an implant take from start to finish?
If the bone condition is good, the prosthesis is attached after the 3-4 months of osseointegration following placement. A bone graft or a waiting period after extraction adds time, so ask for the expected schedule stage by stage at the first examination to make planning easier.
How painful is implant surgery?
It is done under local anesthesia, which reduces pain during surgery, and swelling and pain may continue for several days afterwards. Take the prescribed medicine as directed, and if the pain keeps getting worse, contact the clinic without waiting for the next appointment.
Do I go without a tooth while waiting for the implant?
For sites such as front teeth, a temporary tooth is sometimes used. Whether it is possible is decided by the clinic from the surgical site and bone condition, and you should not chew hard on a temporary tooth. If you have a presentation or event while going without a tooth, discuss it in advance when deciding the surgery date.
How should I eat on the day of implant surgery?
After the anesthesia wears off, eat soft food on the side opposite the surgery. Avoid hot or spicy food, alcohol and smoking, as they slow wound healing. It is also important not to keep touching the surgical site with your tongue or fingers.
Can I eat hard food right after the prosthesis is attached?
Adaptation takes 1-2 months, and the first year is the period when the bone stabilizes. It is better to start with soft foods, chew on both sides, and avoid foods that strain the implant such as ice or hard nuts.