How Long Do Dental Implants Take? Complete Timeline 2026
Updated September 2026 | Hungarian Dentists Wexford
One of the first questions we hear from patients considering implant treatment is “how long do dental implants take?”
For a straightforward dental implant case, the complete process commonly takes around four to six months. However, the actual treatment time depends on your mouth, the condition of the jawbone, whether teeth need to be removed and whether bone grafting or another additional procedure is required.
For patients travelling through Hungarian Dentists Wexford, a standard implant treatment usually involves two trips to Hungary.
The first trip is generally for implant placement. After approximately four months of healing, the second trip is normally used to complete the abutment and final crown or other restoration.
Consultations and appropriate follow-up can take place in Wexford, while the dental treatment itself is carried out at Perfect Smile Dental Implant Centre Hungary.
How Long Do Dental Implants Take? The Short Answer
For many straightforward cases:
Consultation → first trip to Hungary → implant placement → approximately four months healing → second trip → final restoration.
That means the overall process is often around four to six months, although some patients need more time.
What Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a small titanium fixture placed into the jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth.
After placement, the implant is given time to heal and integrate with the surrounding bone. This process is commonly called osseointegration.
Once the dentist is satisfied that healing has progressed appropriately, the implant can support an abutment and a crown, bridge or other planned restoration.
Dental Implant Timeline for Patients Travelling From Ireland
For patients using Hungarian Dentists Wexford and Perfect Smile Dental Implant Centre Hungary, the process can be understood in four main stages.
Step 1: Consultation and Treatment Planning
The first stage is finding out whether dental implants are suitable for you.
A consultation can be arranged during one of the scheduled visits by members of the Perfect Smile team to Hungarian Dentists Wexford.
The dentist may consider:
- The condition of your remaining teeth
- Your gums and oral health
- The amount and quality of available jawbone
- Your bite
- Whether teeth need to be removed
- Whether bone grafting or another procedure may be required
- How many implants are needed
- What type of final restoration is being planned
The important point is that there is no single implant timetable that applies to everyone.
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Call Fintan Free Consultation InformationStep 2: The First Trip to Hungary
If you decide to proceed, the first treatment trip is usually when the implant fixture is placed.
The implant is positioned in the jawbone according to the individual treatment plan.
Some patients have a straightforward implant placement. Others may require additional procedures at the same stage or as part of a separate treatment stage.
The length of the actual appointment depends on the number of implants and the complexity of the case, so it is better not to assume that every implant placement takes the same amount of time.
Step 3: Healing and Osseointegration
The healing stage is one of the most important parts of the implant process.
After the implant has been placed, time is allowed for the implant and surrounding bone to heal.
For the standard Perfect Smile treatment pathway, approximately four months is commonly allowed before returning for the final restorative stage.
Some patients may require more time depending on their clinical circumstances.
Important: the four-month period is a typical treatment pathway, not a guaranteed timetable. Your dentist decides when the implant is ready for the next stage.
Step 4: The Second Trip to Hungary
After the healing period, the patient returns to Perfect Smile Dental Implant Centre Hungary.
The dentist checks the implant and surrounding tissues before completing the planned restorative treatment.
Depending on the case, this can involve fitting the abutment and the final crown, bridge or implant-supported restoration.
This is generally the stage when the implant treatment begins to look and function like the finished replacement tooth or teeth.
How Much Does a Standard Implant Cost in 2026?
The current Perfect Smile prices for a straightforward implant example are:
Example Cost
€795 implant fixture + €130 abutment + €265 standard crown = €1,190.
The €795 figure is the implant fixture only. It is not the cost of a complete finished replacement tooth.
Additional procedures, travel and accommodation are separate.
For current fees, see the Dental Treatment Price List 2026.
What Can Make Dental Implant Treatment Take Longer?
Several things can extend the overall treatment time.
Bone Grafting
Some patients do not have enough suitable bone for straightforward implant treatment.
Bone grafting may be carried out to improve the implant site. Depending on the type and extent of grafting required, additional healing time may be needed.
Current guide price: €200 per tooth or implant.
Bone Augmentation
More substantial bone loss may require bone augmentation or another individually planned procedure.
Current bone augmentation/correction prices start from €150, while complex augmentation is individually assessed and quoted.
Sinus Lift
A sinus lift may be required when there is insufficient bone height in part of the upper jaw.
Whether the implant can be placed at the same time or should be placed at another stage depends on the individual case.
Current guide price: €800 per site.
Dental Extractions
If a tooth has to be removed before implant treatment, the timing of the implant depends on the condition of the site and the dentist’s treatment plan.
An implant may sometimes be placed at the time of extraction, while other situations require a period of healing first.
This is why a tooth intended for future implant treatment should not normally be extracted independently before the implant dentist has reviewed the case.
Can a Tooth Be Extracted in Wexford First?
Sometimes, yes.
However, if the tooth is being removed specifically because an implant is planned, the timing and method of extraction should first be agreed with the Perfect Smile implant dentist.
Depending on the treatment plan:
- The extraction may take place in Hungary.
- The dentist may approve extraction in Wexford before travelling.
- Specific socket or ridge-preservation instructions may be given before a local extraction.
This protects the future implant treatment plan.
Can Dental Implants Be Done in One Day?
You may see terms such as “same-day implants” or “teeth in a day.”
These descriptions can be confusing because implant placement and complete biological healing are not the same thing.
In selected cases, an implant and temporary restoration may be placed