An implant may go in at the same visit as the extraction, or months later. Infection, the condition of the socket walls and aesthetics decide which.
There is no single waiting period. In suitable cases an implant is placed into the socket at the same visit as the extraction. In others the gum is allowed to close first, about six to eight weeks. When bone needs to rebuild, the wait can extend to three to six months. The condition of the socket decides, not the calendar.
Three placement timings
- Immediate: the implant goes into the fresh socket
- Early: after the gum has closed, around six to eight weeks
- Delayed: after bone has largely remodelled, three to six months
When immediate placement works
It requires no active infection, intact socket walls and enough bone contact for the implant to sit firmly. When those apply, total treatment time shortens and the natural contour of gum and bone is better preserved, which matters most in the visible front region.
When waiting is wiser
If the tooth was removed because of an abscess or long-standing infection, the site is allowed to settle. If a socket wall is fractured or resorbed, grafting comes first. When a broken or abscessed tooth needs emergency extraction, ask for the follow-up implant plan at the same appointment.
Does waiting cost bone?
Some volume loss after extraction is normal, mostly on the outer wall of the socket, and long waits increase it. When immediate placement is not possible, graft material can be placed into the socket at extraction to preserve the ridge, which simplifies the implant later.
Filling the gap meanwhile
A temporary removable appliance or a bonded temporary tooth keeps appearance and function. Leaving a gap open for long allows neighbouring teeth to tilt and the opposing tooth to over-erupt, which complicates the final restoration.
Is a bridge an alternative?
If the adjacent teeth already need crowns, a dental bridge is reasonable. If they are sound, reshaping them purely to close a gap is a real cost, and an implant is usually preferred. The decision looks at the whole mouth, not one space.
The first days after extraction
- Do not rinse on day one; protect the clot
- Avoid hot drinks and straws
- Do not smoke
- Chew on the other side
- Take prescribed medication on schedule
- Call the clinic if bleeding persists
Prolonged bleeding is uncommon but does happen, and bleeding after extraction should be assessed quickly. Correct timing comes from examination and imaging, the first step in planning implant treatment. Our Muratpasa clinic is open around the clock, seven days a week.
