Dental Implants After Tooth Extraction | Timing Guide UK

Dental by Design

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

Immediate Placement

1

Extraction + implant in one visit

Day 1

The tooth is removed and the implant is placed into the socket in the same appointment. A temporary crown is fitted for front teeth.

2

Healing (osseointegration)

3-4 months

The implant fuses with the bone. You have a temporary restoration throughout. No gap, no adhesive.

3

Final crown fitted

Last visit

Your permanent crown is placed. Treatment complete. One surgical procedure, minimal bone loss.

Delayed Placement

1

Tooth extraction + socket preservation

Day 1

The tooth is removed. A bone graft may be placed to preserve the socket. The site heals with a temporary tooth.

2

Healing wait

3-6 months

The extraction site and any graft need time to heal and integrate. You wear a temporary solution during this time.

3

Implant placed (second surgery)

3-6 months later

Once healed, the implant is placed in a second procedure. Another 3-4 months of healing follows before the final crown.

Immediate Placement

1

Extraction + implant in one visit

Day 1

The tooth is removed and the implant is placed into the socket in the same appointment. A temporary crown is fitted for front teeth.

2

Healing (osseointegration)

3-4 months

The implant fuses with the bone. You have a temporary restoration throughout. No gap, no adhesive.

3

Final crown fitted

Last visit

Your permanent crown is placed. Treatment complete. One surgical procedure, minimal bone loss.

Delayed Placement

1

Tooth extraction + socket preservation

Day 1

The tooth is removed. A bone graft may be placed to preserve the socket. The site heals with a temporary tooth.

2

Healing wait

3-6 months

The extraction site and any graft need time to heal and integrate. You wear a temporary solution during this time.

3

Implant placed (second surgery)

3-6 months later

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.

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

4.8/5

based on 485+ google reviews

Sam Baker

I had my dental implant consultation today and I was really impressed with the whole experience. I was feeling quite nervous beforehand, but the team were friendly, professional and made me feel completely at ease. Everything was explained clearly, including the implant treatment, the different options available and what I could expect throughout the process. I never felt rushed or pressured into making a decision, which I really appreciated. The dentist took the time to listen to my concerns and answer all of my questions, which gave me much more confidence about going ahead with the treatment. So far, I’m extremely happy with my experience and I’m looking forward to continuing my implant journey with them. I would definitely recommend them to anyone considering dental implants.

10/04/2026

Ylli Gjekaj

I really enjoyed my time at Dental by design and highly recommend them. Dr sunil mangla provided excellent care and i was delighted with the results. The whole team were so kind and welcoming especially isabelle and ledio who made me feel so comfortable from start to finish a special thank you to all the staff for making my time spent there feel welcoming.

10/03/2026