Full mouth implant treatment follows a well-established process. While specifics vary by treatment type, understanding the general flow helps you prepare.
Phase 1: Consultation & Planning
Duration: 1-2 appointments
What Happens:
- Comprehensive oral examination
- Review of medical history
- 3D cone beam CT scan (CBCT imaging)
- Digital impressions or molds
- Discussion of treatment options
- Customized treatment plan
- Cost breakdown and financing options
Phase 2: Preparation
Duration: 1-4 weeks before surgery
What Happens:
- Any necessary extractions may be performed
- Temporary prosthesis fabricated
- Pre-operative instructions provided
- Prescriptions for medications
- Arrangements for transportation home
Phase 3: Surgery Day
Duration: 2-5 hours (depending on complexity)
Before Surgery
- Arrive at scheduled time (often early morning)
- Final health check
- IV sedation or anesthesia administered
During Surgery
- Remaining teeth extracted (if needed)
- Implants placed in strategic positions
- Abutments attached
- Temporary prosthesis fitted (All-on-4/All-on-6)
- Sutures placed
After Surgery
- Recovery in clinic (30-60 minutes)
- Post-operative instructions reviewed
- Prescriptions provided
- Transportation home (you cannot drive)
Phase 4: Recovery & Osseointegration
Duration: 3-6 months
During this phase, implants fuse with your jawbone (osseointegration). You'll have functional teeth throughout—either a temporary fixed prosthesis (All-on-4/All-on-6) or a healing denture (snap-on).
See our detailed recovery guide.
Phase 5: Final Prosthesis
Duration: 2-4 appointments over 2-4 weeks
What Happens:
- Final impressions taken
- Bite registration
- Try-in appointment (verify fit and aesthetics)
- Final prosthesis placed
- Adjustments as needed
| Phase | All-on-4/6 | Snap-On |
|---|---|---|
| Consultation | 1-2 weeks | 1-2 weeks |
| Surgery | 2-5 hours | 1-2 hours |
| Same-day teeth? | Yes | No (healing denture) |
| Osseointegration | 3-6 months | 3-6 months |
| Final prosthesis | 2-4 weeks | 2-4 weeks |
| Total time | 4-7 months | 4-7 months |
FAQ
During surgery: No—you're under sedation/anesthesia. After: Moderate discomfort for 3-5 days, well-controlled with medication. Most patients report less pain than expected.
Most patients receive IV sedation ("twilight sleep")—deeply relaxed and unlikely to remember the procedure. General anesthesia is available if preferred.
Yes—this is common and means one recovery period instead of two.