If you're facing your first dental implant, it's natural to have questions. What actually happens in the chair? How long does it take? Will it hurt? This guide explains how dental implants are placed, from the first scan to the final crown, so the process feels familiar before you begin.
What a dental implant is
A dental implant replaces a missing tooth at the root level. Once it has healed, a final crown is attached so the tooth looks and functions like the ones around it. Because the process happens in stages, understanding each stage makes it much easier to plan around.
Is an implant your only option?
Not always. A thorough dentist will talk you through the alternatives before recommending anything:
- Dental implant: replaces the missing tooth with a new root and crown.
- Bridge: uses neighbouring teeth to support a replacement tooth.
- Denture: a removable option for replacing one or more teeth.
- Saving the tooth: in some cases a root canal can keep your natural tooth.
If you're curious how these compare, our overview of the difference between crowns and bridges is a good companion topic. A good consultation leaves you informed, not pressured.
Step 1: The first visit, exam and 3D scan
Your journey begins with an exam and a scan. Cone Beam 3D imaging gives a three-dimensional view of your jaw, so your dentist can see the bone, nerves and sinuses before treatment starts. Think of it as a map: it helps the team plan placement carefully rather than guess.
Step 2: Your plan and costs
Next comes the planning conversation. Your options and timing should be explained first, along with your costs and insurance coverage, before any treatment begins. This is the moment to ask anything you like. Useful questions include:
- Which options suit my situation, and why?
- How long will each stage take?
- What will it cost, and what might my plan cover?
- What sedation choices are available?
Step 3: Placement and comfort
Implant placement is done with local freezing, so the area is numb. If the thought of it makes you nervous, sedation options are available, including IV sedation. Feeling anxious is very common, and it's worth mentioning early so your team can plan for your comfort. The sedation dentistry guide explains how these options work.
Step 4: Healing and your final crown
After placement comes healing, which takes a few months. Once that's complete, your final crown is added. It's a gradual process, but it's designed that way so the result is stable and natural-looking.
Choosing who places your implant
Experience matters. Look for implant-specific training, credentials you can verify, and years of hands-on work. For example, the team at Morgan Heights includes an implant surgeon who has taught at UBC since 1994, working alongside a UBC-trained dentist with more than twenty years in restorative work and crowns. You can learn more about the approach on the main website.
Also consider practical details:
- Infection-control standards
- Evening and Saturday availability
- Parking and location
- Emergency care if something comes up
Want the full picture?
This article covers the process; our original post walks through the five decisions to make when picking a dentist: First implant? How to choose your dentist. Take your time, ask questions, and choose the team that makes you feel informed and at ease.