The Implant Procedure
What actually happens during dental implant placement — the timeline, the healing, and what to expect at every step.
If you are considering a dental implant, you probably want to know what actually happens — not just the marketing version, but the real timeline, the real healing process, and what each visit looks like. Here is a straightforward walk-through of the implant procedure at Bedford Family Dentistry.
Your first visit is a consultation. Dr. Maharaj will take digital X-rays or a 3D scan to look at your jawbone, check the health of your gums, and assess the area where the implant would go. He will tell you whether you are a good candidate, explain what the process looks like in your specific case, and answer every question you bring. This visit is about information, not commitment.
On the day of placement, the area is completely numbed with local anesthetic. A small opening is made in the gum tissue, and the titanium implant post is carefully placed into the jawbone. The gum is closed over the implant, and in most cases, you leave with a temporary tooth so the gap is never visible. The whole appointment typically takes about an hour per implant.
The next phase is healing — and it is the most important part. Over three to six months, your jawbone grows around the implant post in a process called osseointegration. This is what gives the implant its strength. During this time, you will come in for a few check-ups so Dr. Maharaj can make sure everything is progressing the way it should. You eat normally (with some care around the implant site in the first couple of weeks) and go about your life.
Once the implant has fully bonded with the bone, you come back for the final step: your permanent crown. An impression is taken, the crown is custom-made to match your surrounding teeth, and it is attached to the implant post with an abutment. A few small adjustments, a check of your bite, and you walk out with a tooth that looks and feels like it has always been there.
After your implant is placed, there is no special maintenance beyond what you should already be doing — brushing twice a day, flossing, and keeping up with your regular cleanings. Dr. Maharaj checks your implant at every visit, and with proper care, it can last for the rest of your life.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time off work will I need after implant placement?
Most people return to work the next day if their job is not physically strenuous. If your work involves heavy lifting, you may want to take two or three days. Dr. Maharaj will give you specific guidance based on the complexity of your procedure.
What does the healing period feel like?
The first few days after placement, you may have mild soreness, some swelling, and light bruising — all normal and manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers and ice. After that initial period, most patients say they barely notice the implant is there. The months of osseointegration are painless — your bone is quietly doing its job.
Can I eat normally during the healing period?
You will eat softer foods for the first week or two to protect the implant site. After that, most people return to their normal diet. You will have a temporary tooth during the entire healing period, so you are never without a functioning bite. Just avoid chewing anything very hard directly on the temporary.
What happens if an implant does not take?
Implant success rates are above 95 percent in healthy patients. On the rare occasion that an implant does not integrate properly, it is removed (painlessly — it has not bonded), the area heals for a few weeks, and a new implant can be placed. Dr. Maharaj monitors your healing closely so any issue is caught early.
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