How Soon After a Tooth Extraction Can You Have an Implant?

One of the most common questions patients ask after having a tooth removed London is how soon a dental implant can be placed. It is a natural question — and the answer depends on several individual factors, including how the extraction site heals, the condition of the surrounding bone and whether infection was present.

There is no single timeline that applies to every patient. In some cases, an implant may be placed at the time of extraction. In others, a period of healing — ranging from a few weeks to several months — may be recommended before implant placement is appropriate. The right approach is always determined by a thorough clinical assessment, not by a fixed schedule.

This guide explains the different timing options for dental implants London, what influences the decision, and why there is no reason to feel pressured about speed. It is written to help you understand the process clearly, so you can have a confident and informed conversation with your dental team.

What Happens After a Tooth Extraction?

Understanding the natural healing process after an extraction helps explain why implant timing varies between patients. When a tooth is removed, the body begins a series of biological processes to repair the area.

Healing of the Gum and Bone

After extraction, a blood clot forms in the socket, which protects the underlying bone and initiates healing. Over the following days and weeks, the soft tissue (gum) gradually closes over the site. Beneath the surface, the bone surrounding the socket begins to remodel — a natural process in which the body reshapes the bone as it heals.

The speed and quality of this healing process varies between individuals and is influenced by factors such as the size and location of the extraction, the patient’s overall health, whether infection was present and whether the tooth was surgically or simply extracted.

Early Recovery Phase

In the first one to two weeks after extraction, the focus is on soft tissue healing and protecting the blood clot. During this period, patients are typically advised to eat soft foods, avoid vigorous rinsing and follow any specific aftercare instructions provided by their dentist. Discomfort and swelling are common in the first few days but usually subside relatively quickly.

Why Healing Matters Before Implants

A dental implant relies on integrating with healthy bone through a process called osseointegration. If the bone surrounding the extraction site has not healed adequately, or if infection is still present, the conditions for successful implant integration may not be met. This is why your dental team will carefully assess healing before recommending implant placement.

Can a Dental Implant Be Placed Immediately After Extraction?

Immediate implant placement — where an implant is placed into the socket at the same appointment as the extraction — is a recognised technique in implant dentistry. However, it is important to understand that it is not suitable for every situation.

What “Immediate Placement” Means

In immediate placement, the implant is inserted directly into the extraction socket before the bone has begun to remodel. This approach can reduce the total number of surgical procedures and may shorten the overall treatment timeline. However, it requires very specific clinical conditions to be viable.

When It May Be Considered

• Sufficient bone around the socket — there must be enough healthy bone surrounding the extraction site to stabilise the implant at the time of placement
• No active infection — the site should be free from significant infection or abscess, as infection can compromise implant integration
• Favourable socket shape — the shape and dimensions of the socket need to accommodate the implant securely
• Good general health — the patient’s overall health and healing capacity should support the procedure

Why It Is Not Suitable for Everyone

Immediate placement is not a routine option for all extractions. If there is infection, significant bone loss, a complex extraction or unfavourable socket anatomy, your dentist may recommend allowing a period of healing before placing the implant. This is not a setback — it is a clinically responsible decision that prioritises the long-term success of the implant.

It is also important to distinguish between immediate implant placement and immediate loading (attaching a temporary tooth to the implant on the same day). These are different concepts, and immediate loading has its own set of clinical requirements and considerations.

Early Implant Placement: Waiting a Few Weeks

In some cases, your dentist may recommend waiting a short period — typically four to eight weeks — after extraction before placing an implant. This approach is sometimes referred to as early placement.

Soft Tissue Healing Phase

Waiting a few weeks allows the gum tissue to heal and close over the extraction site. This can provide a better soft tissue environment for implant surgery, potentially reducing the risk of wound complications and allowing clearer visibility of the underlying bone during the procedure.

Reduced Infection Risk

If the extracted tooth had any degree of infection — such as an abscess or chronic periodontal disease — a short healing period allows the infection to resolve before an implant is placed. Placing an implant into an infected site can increase the risk of implant failure, so this precaution is an important part of treatment planning.

Clinical Considerations

Early placement aims to balance the benefits of relatively prompt treatment with the need for adequate healing. It may be considered when the extraction was straightforward, infection risk is low and the bone around the socket is in good condition. Your dental team will assess these factors before recommending this timeline.

Delayed Implant Placement: Waiting Several Months

Delayed placement — waiting three months or longer after extraction — is the most traditional and widely practised approach. It allows the extraction site to heal fully before the implant is placed.

Bone Healing and Remodelling

After extraction, the jawbone undergoes a natural remodelling process. The socket gradually fills with new bone, and the ridge shape changes as the tissues mature. Waiting for this process to complete provides your dentist with a clearer picture of the available bone and a more predictable foundation for implant placement.

When Delayed Placement Is Preferred

• Infection was present — if the tooth was removed due to infection or abscess, allowing full resolution before implant surgery is often the safest approach
• Significant bone loss — if bone grafting is needed (either at the time of extraction or afterwards), additional healing time is typically required before an implant can be placed
• Complex extractions — surgical extractions involving bone removal or root fragmentation may benefit from a longer healing period
• Medical considerations — patients with certain health conditions or medications that affect healing may benefit from a more cautious timeline

Benefits of a Cautious Approach

There is no clinical disadvantage to taking a measured approach. Allowing the body to heal at its own pace before placing an implant can support better long-term outcomes. Your dental team will monitor healing through clinical checks and imaging, and will recommend implant placement when the conditions are appropriate — not before.

What Factors Affect Implant Timing?

The decision about when to place an implant after extraction is influenced by several interconnected factors. No single factor determines the timeline — it is always a combination of clinical considerations.

Bone Quality and Volume

The amount and density of bone surrounding the extraction site is one of the most important factors. Adequate bone is needed to stabilise the implant at placement and to support osseointegration. If bone volume is insufficient, grafting may be recommended, which adds a healing phase before implant placement.

Presence of Infection

Active infection at the extraction site — whether from an abscess, advanced decay or periodontal disease — is one of the most common reasons for delaying implant placement. Infection needs to be fully resolved before an implant can be placed safely. Your dentist may prescribe antibiotics and monitor healing before proceeding.

Overall Oral and Medical Health

Your general health plays a role in how your body heals after extraction and how it responds to implant surgery. Conditions such as diabetes, autoimmune disorders and certain medications can influence healing times. Smoking is also a well-documented risk factor that can affect both extraction healing and implant integration. Your dental team will consider your full medical history when planning the timing of treatment.

Does Waiting Too Long Affect Implant Options?

Some patients worry that if they wait too long after extraction, they may no longer be suitable for an implant. While it is true that changes occur in the jawbone after tooth loss, this does not mean there is a strict deadline for implant placement.

Bone Changes Over Time

After a tooth is extracted, the surrounding bone naturally remodels and may lose some volume over time — a process known as resorption. The extent of resorption varies between individuals and is influenced by factors such as the location in the mouth, the cause of tooth loss and whether bone grafting was performed at the time of extraction.

In most cases, even if some bone loss has occurred, implant treatment is still possible. Bone grafting techniques can rebuild lost volume, and careful planning using 3D imaging allows your dental team to assess exactly what is available and what may be needed.

Monitoring and Planning

If you have had a tooth extracted and are considering an implant in the future, it is helpful to discuss your plans with your dental team sooner rather than later — not because of urgency, but because it allows them to monitor the extraction site and plan ahead. In some cases, bone preservation measures at the time of extraction (such as socket grafting) can help maintain bone volume for a future implant.

To understand the investment involved in treatment planning, you may find our cost of dental implants London page helpful.

Why Timing Decisions Are Personalised

There is no universal ‘window’ after which implants become impossible. Some patients receive implants years after extraction with excellent results. Others benefit from prompt placement. The key is that timing decisions are made based on clinical evidence and individual assessment — not arbitrary deadlines.

How Your Dentist Decides the Right Timing

The decision about when to place an implant is made through a structured clinical process. Understanding this process can help you feel more confident about the timeline your dental team recommends.

Clinical Examination

Your dentist will examine the extraction site, assess the condition of the surrounding gum tissue and check for any signs of ongoing infection or inflammation. They will also evaluate the health of neighbouring teeth and the overall condition of your mouth.

Imaging and Assessment

Advanced imaging — typically a CBCT (cone beam computed tomography) scan — provides detailed 3D views of the jawbone, allowing your dentist to measure bone volume, assess bone density and identify important anatomical structures such as nerves and sinuses. This information is essential for determining whether the site is ready for an implant or whether additional healing or grafting is needed.

If you would like to understand what this process involves, you can arrange an initial implant consultation London to discuss your individual situation.

Discussing Options and Risks

A good dental team will explain the available timing options for your case, outline the clinical reasoning behind their recommendation and discuss any risks or trade-offs. You should feel empowered to ask questions and take the time you need to make an informed decision. There is no clinical benefit to rushing.

Dental Implant Planning After Extraction in London

At our CQC-registered practice in South Kensington, we understand that the period after a tooth extraction can feel uncertain — especially if you are considering an implant. Our approach is to provide clear, honest guidance about timing, based on your individual healing and clinical needs.

We do not promote a one-size-fits-all timeline, and we do not pressure patients into immediate decisions. Whether immediate placement, early placement or a delayed approach is most appropriate for you, we will explain why and ensure you feel comfortable with the plan before any treatment begins.

Every patient’s situation is unique, and we take the time to assess, discuss and plan accordingly. Our aim is to support you in making a well-informed decision about your care — at a pace that suits both your health and your personal preferences.

If you have recently had a tooth extracted or are planning an extraction and would like to discuss tooth implant treatment in London, please book a consultation in London to arrange an initial appointment. We look forward to helping you understand your options with clarity and care.

This article provides general information about dental implant timing after tooth extraction and is not a substitute for personalised clinical advice. Healing timelines vary between individuals, and the suitability and timing of implant placement depend on clinical factors that can only be assessed in person. No specific healing time or treatment outcome can be guaranteed. Please consult your dentist for guidance specific to your situation.