Oral & maxillofacial2 min read

Dental implants, step by step

What an implant is, how the treatment is staged, and what makes someone a suitable candidate.

Stone Surgical ArtsOriginally published June 27, 2024Updated September 9, 2026

Perspective from Stone Surgical Arts

A dental implant replaces the root of a missing tooth with a fixture placed in the jawbone, which then carries a crown. The treatment is staged over months rather than completed in a single visit.

A thought to keep

Implant treatment depends on the health of the bone and gums around it. The assessment matters more than the timeline.

What an implant is

An implant is a small fixture placed into the jawbone to take the place of a tooth root. Once the bone has healed around it, it supports a crown, a bridge or a denture.

Because it is anchored in bone, an implant is fixed rather than removable, and it is cleaned in place. It replaces the root as well as the visible tooth, which is what distinguishes it from a conventional bridge or denture.

The assessment

Suitability depends on general health, the health of the gums, and whether there is enough bone in the right place. Conditions that affect healing, and smoking, are considered because they affect how the bone integrates with the fixture.

Where bone volume is insufficient, grafting may be discussed as a preliminary stage. That adds time to the plan and is a decision in its own right.

How the treatment is staged

A tooth may need removing first, and the site allowed to heal. The implant is then placed, and a period follows during which bone integrates with it before anything is loaded onto it.

The crown or other restoration is made and fitted afterwards. The waiting between stages is doing the work, which is why the sequence is not compressed for convenience.

Looking after an implant

Implants need the same daily cleaning as teeth and regular review. The tissue around an implant can become inflamed and, if that is neglected, the supporting bone can be lost.

Ask what the review schedule is, what the restoration is likely to need over time, and what happens if a component wears or loosens. These are maintainable rather than maintenance-free.

Adapted from the Stone Surgical Arts archive and updated for clarity. This article offers general information; an individual consultation is needed for treatment advice.