Getting dental implants in Jacksonville typically takes several months from start to finish, including a consultation, an optional bone grafting phase, surgical placement, a healing period called osseointegration, and finally attaching your custom crown. The exact timeline depends on your oral health and how many teeth need to be replaced.
At Admira Dentistry, Dr. Julio Sixto, DMD, has guided patients through the dental implant process for more than 30 years, drawing on his fellowship with the International Congress of Oral Implantology (ICOI) and advanced implant training completed at the University of Florida. In this blog, we'll walk through each step of getting dental implants, so you know exactly what to expect.
Here's a quick overview of the process before we dig into each stage:
- Initial consultation and diagnostic imaging
- Candidacy evaluation
- Bone grafting, if your jawbone needs additional support
- Surgical placement of the titanium implant post
- Healing and osseointegration with the jawbone
- Attachment of the abutment and final custom crown
What Happens During Your Dental Implant Consultation?
Your dental implant journey begins with a detailed consultation and diagnostic evaluation. Dr. Sixto discusses your goals, reviews your dental and medical history, and uses cone beam 3D imaging to map your jawbone density, nerve positioning, and airway structure with far greater precision than a traditional X-ray.
This imaging step matters because it shapes every decision that follows, from whether bone grafting is needed to exactly where the implant post should be placed. Before moving forward, you'll have a clear picture of your treatment plan, timeline, and the associated costs.
Who Is a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Good candidates for dental implants have healthy gums, adequate jawbone density, and are generally in good health. Tooth loss from decay, injury, or other causes is the most common reason patients seek implants, but not everyone is ready for surgery right away.
Other factors Dr. Sixto considers during your evaluation include:
- Willingness to maintain consistent oral hygiene after treatment
- Non-smoking status, since smoking can slow healing and reduce implant success rates
- Readiness for multiple appointments and a period of healing time
- Sufficient bone volume to support the implant, or a willingness to undergo grafting first
If bone density or gum health needs to be addressed first, Dr. Sixto will build that into your treatment plan rather than rushing straight to surgery.
Is Bone Grafting Necessary Before Implant Placement?
Bone grafting is only necessary when a patient's jawbone lacks the density or volume to securely support an implant, which often happens after long-term tooth loss. The graft rebuilds the bone structure so the implant has a stable foundation.
According to Cleveland Clinic, a dental bone graft typically needs about a week for initial healing, though full maturation of the graft site can take up to a year depending on its size and location. Because of this, grafting can add meaningful time to your overall implant timeline, and Dr. Sixto will factor it into your plan from the start rather than as a surprise mid-treatment.
How Is the Dental Implant Surgically Placed?
Placement involves surgically inserting a titanium post into the jawbone, where it will function as an artificial tooth root. Dr. Sixto uses advanced diagnostic techniques and precise planning from your cone beam imaging to position each implant for long-term stability.
Local anesthesia keeps the procedure comfortable, and most patients describe the experience as far more manageable than they expected. Afterward, a temporary "flipper," a removable retainer with a prosthetic tooth attached, can fill any visible gap while your implant heals underneath.
How Long Does Healing and Osseointegration Take?
Osseointegration, the process by which the titanium implant fuses with your jawbone, generally takes several months to complete. The American Dental Association notes that once placed, the implant needs time to bond with the bone before it's ready to support a permanent crown.
During this window, your dentist may recommend soft foods while the surgical site heals, and regular check-ins allow Dr. Sixto to monitor your progress. Patience during this phase pays off: a properly fused implant is what gives dental implants their reputation as one of the most durable tooth-replacement options available, with a widely cited success rate of around 95%.
How Is the Abutment and Final Crown Attached?
Once osseointegration is complete, a small connector called an abutment is attached to the implant to link it to your replacement tooth. A custom crown, matched to the size, shape, and color of your natural teeth, is then secured on top.
Finishing this step transforms the implant from a healed surgical site into a fully functional, natural-looking tooth. From here, caring for your implant is as simple as brushing, flossing, and keeping up with your regular dental visits.
Ready to Start Your Dental Implant Journey? Contact Admira Dentistry
Every implant journey looks a little different, and the best way to find out what yours involves is a consultation with Dr. Sixto. Admira Dentistry has helped Jacksonville patients restore their smiles with dental implants for over 30 years, and our team is ready to walk you through your options.
Call us today at (904) 733-9144 to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward a complete, confident smile.
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic. "Dental Bone Graft: What It Is & When You Might Need One." my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21727-dental-bone-graft
- American Dental Association. "Implants." MouthHealthy.org. mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/implants
- Cleveland Clinic. "Dental Implant Success Rate Outcomes." my.clevelandclinic.org/departments/head-neck/outcomes/355-dental-implant-success-rate
