Dental Implants After Extraction:
How Soon Can You Get One?
Same day, 6 weeks, or 3 months. The right timing depends on your situation. This guide explains what determines it and why acting sooner preserves more bone.
Same day
immediate placement possible
50%
more bone preserved with immediate placement
From £28
per month with finance
The timing question everyone asks
You've just had a tooth extracted, or you know one needs to come out soon. The natural question is: how quickly can I replace it with an implant?
The answer isn't one-size-fits-all. Some patients can have an implant placed on the same day as the extraction. Others need to wait a few weeks or months. What determines the timing is the condition of the extraction site: is there infection? Is the bone socket intact? Is there enough bone to stabilise an implant immediately?
Here's how the three main timing options compare and how we decide which is right for you.
Three Timing Options Compared
| Immediate (Same Day) | Early (6-8 Weeks) | Delayed (3-6 Months) |
|---|---|---|
When it's used | ||
| No infection, intact socket, adequate bone | Minor healing needed, socket preservation done | Infection present, bone grafting required |
Bone preservation | ||
| Best (50% more bone retained) | Good (with socket preservation) | Bone may shrink during wait |
Total treatment time | ||
| 3-4 months | 5-6 months | 6-12 months |
Number of surgeries | ||
| 1 (extraction + implant together) | 2 (extraction, then implant) | 2-3 (extraction, graft, implant) |
Temporary tooth needed | ||
| Usually not (immediate temp crown) | Yes, during healing | Yes, during healing |
Suitability | ||
| 40-50% of cases | 30-40% of cases | Remaining cases |
| Immediate (Same Day) | Early (6-8 Weeks) | Delayed (3-6 Months) | |
|---|---|---|---|
When it's used | No infection, intact socket, adequate bone | Minor healing needed, socket preservation done | Infection present, bone grafting required |
Bone preservation | Best (50% more bone retained) | Good (with socket preservation) | Bone may shrink during wait |
Total treatment time | 3-4 months | 5-6 months | 6-12 months |
Number of surgeries | 1 (extraction + implant together) | 2 (extraction, then implant) | 2-3 (extraction, graft, implant) |
Temporary tooth needed | Usually not (immediate temp crown) | Yes, during healing | Yes, during healing |
Suitability | 40-50% of cases | 30-40% of cases | Remaining cases |
Immediate implant placement preserves up to 50% more bone than delayed placement
Research from the International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants shows that bone loss begins immediately after extraction. Placing an implant on the same day minimises this loss and provides the best foundation for long-term success.
Source: International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants
Side by Side: Immediate vs Delayed
What each pathway looks like in practice
Extraction + implant in one visit
Day 1The tooth is removed and the implant is placed into the socket in the same appointment. A temporary crown is fitted for front teeth.
Healing (osseointegration)
3-4 monthsThe implant fuses with the bone. You have a temporary restoration throughout. No gap, no adhesive.
Final crown fitted
Last visitYour permanent crown is placed. Treatment complete. One surgical procedure, minimal bone loss.
Tooth extraction + socket preservation
Day 1The tooth is removed. A bone graft may be placed to preserve the socket. The site heals with a temporary tooth.
Healing wait
3-6 monthsThe extraction site and any graft need time to heal and integrate. You wear a temporary solution during this time.
Implant placed (second surgery)
3-6 months laterOnce healed, the implant is placed in a second procedure. Another 3-4 months of healing follows before the final crown.
Extraction + implant in one visit
The tooth is removed and the implant is placed into the socket in the same appointment. A temporary crown is fitted for front teeth.
Healing (osseointegration)
The implant fuses with the bone. You have a temporary restoration throughout. No gap, no adhesive.
Final crown fitted
Your permanent crown is placed. Treatment complete. One surgical procedure, minimal bone loss.
Tooth extraction + socket preservation
The tooth is removed. A bone graft may be placed to preserve the socket. The site heals with a temporary tooth.
Healing wait
The extraction site and any graft need time to heal and integrate. You wear a temporary solution during this time.
Implant placed (second surgery)
Once healed, the implant is placed in a second procedure. Another 3-4 months of healing follows before the final crown.
Common Questions About Extraction and Implants
"I had a tooth pulled already. Have I missed the window for immediate placement?"
If your tooth was extracted recently (within the last few weeks), you may still be in the early placement window. If it was months ago, delayed placement is still very successful.
It's never too late for an implant. The timing of extraction matters for bone preservation, but implants can be placed at any point. The sooner you act, the simpler the process, but even years after extraction, techniques like All-on-4 work well.
"My tooth was extracted because of an abscess. Can I still get an implant?"
Infection at the extraction site is the main reason immediate placement isn't possible. The concern is that bacteria could compromise the implant.
Yes, after the infection clears. Typically 4-8 weeks of healing. Socket preservation can be done at the time of extraction to protect the bone. Once the site is infection-free, implant placement proceeds normally.
"Will I need a bone graft after extraction?"
Not everyone needs grafting. It depends on the amount of bone present and how the socket heals.
About 30-40% of cases need some form of grafting. Minor socket preservation is quick and can be done at the time of extraction. Major grafting is less common and adds 3-6 months to the timeline. A 3D scan gives us a definitive answer.
Find the Best Timing for Your Implant
Quick assessment to explore your options
Implants After Extraction: Your Questions Answered
How soon after tooth extraction can I get an implant?
It depends on the clinical situation. Immediate placement (same day as extraction) is possible when there's no infection and the bone socket is intact. Early placement (6-8 weeks) works when minor healing is needed. Delayed placement (3-6 months) is used when infection or bone grafting is required.
Is immediate implant placement better than waiting?
When clinically appropriate, immediate placement preserves up to 50% more bone than waiting. It also means fewer appointments and a shorter overall treatment time. However, not every extraction site is suitable. Your surgeon will recommend the best timing based on your specific case.
Can I get an implant if my tooth was extracted due to infection?
Yes, but usually not immediately. The infection needs to clear first, which typically takes 4-8 weeks. Socket preservation (bone grafting at the extraction site) can be done to protect the bone while the infection heals. Then the implant is placed into healthy tissue.
What is socket preservation and do I need it?
Socket preservation is a bone graft placed into the extraction socket immediately after the tooth is removed. It prevents the bone from collapsing while you wait for implant placement. It's recommended when immediate implant placement isn't possible, to maintain bone volume for future treatment.
Will I be without a tooth while waiting for my implant?
Never. For front teeth, we provide a temporary crown or bridge so there's no visible gap. For back teeth, temporary options are available too. With Vivo Bridge full arch cases, permanent teeth are fitted within 48 hours.
How much does an implant after extraction cost?
A single implant starts from £1,695, which includes the implant, abutment, and crown. If socket preservation or bone grafting is needed, this adds £400-£1,000. 0% finance from £28/month. See our payment options.
What Our Patients Say
Real stories from real patients who transformed their smiles with Dental By Design
From the moment I walked into the practice and spoke to reception I was made to feel very relaxed and at ease. I arrived early and was able to go in and start the consultation almost immediately without having to wait. The consultation process was very easy to understand and done very professionally with my welfare and interests always the priority. Just waiting now until I can find out the final cost and my appointment date to start a new chapter in my life.
Response from Dental By Design
Thank you, Howard! We’re really glad you felt relaxed and looked after from the moment you arrived, and that the consultation was clear and professional. We’ll be in touch soon with your final cost and appointment date!
07/17/2026
Kindness from beginning to end. I wanted to know the best option for me as I am struggling to chew. I had scans & a 3D scan. I saw Dr Roy, who explained everything clearly & took time to make sure I understood the procedure. I now have to decide whether to go ahead.
07/15/2026
Wow what can I say , from the lovely girls who greet you , and the ambiance of the clinic,first impressions are everything , then you have the brilliant dentists , who put your mind at rest , changing life experience, their are a lot to choose from on the internet, but I just new and thank u all at dental by design x
Response from Dental By Design
Thank you so much, Graham. We are really grateful for your kind words. It is lovely to hear that you felt welcomed from the moment you arrived and that the team helped put your mind at ease. Dr Yasser and everyone at Dental by Design are so happy to know your experience felt life changing. Thank you for trusting us with your journey!
07/13/2026
Dr. Yasser was very relaxed and courteous, he explained clearly that my jaw bone was not suitable for the treatment that I wanted, because of his clarity and patience I completely understand. Top marks to him.
07/10/2026
From welcome to goodbye the whole experience in between was very professional in understanding my needs to the 3 D imaging of the jaw and various photos taken to achieve the best results for me. It did not feel pushy and the explanation of costs and ways to pay was excellent 👍🏼. Will recommend with 5 stars 🤩
07/09/2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I cannot recommend Dental by Design highly enough, especially Dr. Yasser. Around two and a half years ago, I had a very difficult root canal treatment that required 7–8 appointments. It was a challenging case, but Dr. Yasser never gave up. His patience, dedication, and attention to detail were truly exceptional, and he made sure the treatment was completed to the highest standard. I recently returned for a check-up after two and a half years, and I was delighted to hear that everything is still absolutely fine. That gave me complete confidence that I was in the best possible hands. Dr. Yasser is genuinely the best dentist I have ever met. His professionalism, expertise, and commitment to his patients are outstanding. A huge thank you to Dr. Yasser and the entire Dental by Design team for the excellent care and support. Highly recommended!
07/09/2026
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The Sooner You Act, the More Bone You Preserve
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