What Happens at Each Stage of Getting an Implant?
in Phoenix, AZ
A dental implant moves through five stages: the exam with a 3D image, any prep work such as an extraction or bone graft, the placement surgery, the months while the bone fuses to the implant, and the abutment and crown that finish the tooth. Each stage waits for the one before it to heal. Dr. Taylor Field at Sonoran Dental Arts in Phoenix writes the whole sequence into one plan at the exam. Call (602) 861-0505.
Getting a dental implant happens in stages, and the healing time between them does much of the work. This page walks through each stage in order and says what actually happens at each one.
Dr. Taylor Field handles the implant sequence at Sonoran Dental Arts in Phoenix, and every stage is written into one plan before the first one starts.
See Your Whole Sequence Before It Starts
After the exam and 3D image, every stage your case needs appears in one written plan with one price. Nothing starts before your yes.
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The Exam and the 3D Image
Everything starts with an exam and a 3D image of your jaw. The image shows how much bone the site holds, where the nerves and sinus sit, and whether anything has to happen before an implant can go in. From it, Dr. Field writes the whole sequence into one plan with one price, and nothing starts until you have agreed to it.
Prep Work, If Your Site Needs It
Some mouths skip this stage entirely. If the failing tooth is still in place, it comes out first, and sometimes the implant goes in at the same visit; when that works is covered on same-day extraction and implant. If the bone is too thin to hold an implant, a graft rebuilds it, and that adds healing months of its own. The bone graft page explains who needs one and who does not.
Placing the Implant
The placement is a shorter appointment than most patients expect, usually under an hour for a single implant. It is done under local anesthetic, and sedation is available for patients who want it; the sedation dentistry page covers the options. A small titanium post goes into the bone where the root used to be, the gum is closed over or around it, and you go home the same day. Soreness over the next few days is normal, and most patients manage it with over-the-counter pain relievers.
The Quiet Months
Then comes the stage nobody sees: the bone fuses to the implant over roughly three to six months. There is nothing to do except let it happen, keep the area clean, and keep heavy chewing off the site. If the gap shows when you smile, a temporary can usually cover it through these months; Dr. Field plans that with you at the exam. This stage sets the calendar for the whole treatment, and the full picture is on how long the implant process takes.
The Abutment and the Crown
Once the implant is solid, a small connector called an abutment is attached to it and an impression is taken. The crown is made to match your neighboring teeth and fitted a few weeks later. From that visit on, the tooth works like the others: you brush it, floss around it, and chew on it.
How It Works at Sonoran Dental Arts
Every stage above appears in your written plan before any of them happens, with the implant fee published at $2,000–$2,400 and anything your case adds named as its own line; the line items are explained on what's included in an implant price. The visit count is on how many appointments a single implant takes, and full pricing is on the dental implant cost page.
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Common questions
What are the stages of getting a dental implant?
Five in most cases: the exam with a 3D image, any prep work such as an extraction or graft, the placement surgery, the months while bone fuses to the implant, and the abutment and crown that finish the tooth.
How long is each stage?
The visits are short, under an hour for most. The calendar belongs to the healing stages: fusing runs roughly three to six months, and a graft adds months of its own before placement.
Does the implant placement hurt?
It is done under local anesthetic, and most patients compare the recovery to a tooth extraction: sore for a few days, managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. Sedation is available for patients who want it.
Do I have a gap while the implant heals?
Only if you choose to. A visible gap can usually be covered with a temporary while the implant fuses, and back teeth are often left to heal without one. Dr. Field plans it with you at the exam.
Can stages be combined?
Sometimes. An extraction and an implant can share one visit when the socket allows it, and most All-on-4 arches carry a temporary fixed bridge the same day. The 3D image decides what your case supports.
What do the stages cost?
The implant fee at Sonoran Dental Arts is $2,000–$2,400, and anything your case adds, such as an extraction or graft, appears as its own line in the written estimate before anything starts.
Visit Us in Phoenix
Neighborhoods We Serve Near Phoenix, AZ 85020
Your Local Dentist
Patients visit us from neighborhoods across North Central Phoenix, including Squaw Peak, Biltmore Greens, and Dreamy Draw Homes, thanks to our convenient location near Glendale Ave and 16th Street. We are located near Glendale Avenue and 16th Street in the heart of North Central Phoenix, Sonoran Dental Arts proudly serves a wide range of surrounding communities. Whether you’re in the Biltmore area or tucked near the trails of Piestewa Peak, we’re your trusted neighborhood dental provider. Our patients come from:
- Squaw Peak
- Squaw Peak Foothills
- Biltmore Highlands
- Dreamy Draw Homes
- Canterra at Squaw Peak Condominiums
- Lincoln Vista
- Desierto Sierra
- The Pointe
- Biltmore Vista
- Biltmore Greens
- Biltmore Courts
- Biltmore Colony
- Biltmore Villas
- Arizona Biltmore Estates
- Granada Park
- Lincoln Vistas
- Madison Village
- Estate Monterra
- Rolling Hills Estates
- Tonka Vista
- Hopi Vista
- Patio Del Sol
- Torre Blanca
- Royal Crest Villa
- Ocotillo Manor
- Gatewood Manor
- East Orangewood
- Orangewood Heights
- New NorthTown
- Navea Ventura
- La Mirada Condominiums
- Madison Meadows
- Luci’s at the Orchard Area
- Arizona Sunburst Inn vicinity
- Madison Rose Lane Area
- Bethany Estates
- Piestewa Peak Neighborhood
- The Pointe at Squaw Peak Resort Area
- Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Area
- Sprouts Farmers Market Neighborhood (Glendale & 16th)
If you’re located in or near any of these neighborhoods, Dr. Taylor Field and the Sonoran Dental Arts team are here to provide top-quality, patient-centered dental care close to home. Explore our General Dentistry, Family Dentistry, Kids Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Implant Services, Invisalign, and Emergency Dental Care to see how we can serve you.
Life in North Central Phoenix is full. Work commutes. Weekend hikes. Quick dinners with friends. When you’re balancing all that, your smile should be the last thing holding you back. That’s where dental implants come in. They restore confidence. They keep life moving—whether you’re near Squaw Peak, Dreamy Draw, or grabbing coffee by Luci’s at the Orchard.
In the Squaw Peak Foothills and Dreamy Draw Homes, mornings often start outdoors. The trails are busy, the sun comes up fast, and neighbors are out early. Missing teeth or a loose denture can make those moments feel smaller than they should. Dental implants bring stability back. You laugh without worry. You share a trail snack or coffee and feel like yourself again.
The Biltmore neighborhoods have their own rhythm. Biltmore Highlands, Arizona Biltmore Estates, Biltmore Greens, Biltmore Vista—here life is busy and polished. Business lunches at the Biltmore, family nights out, evenings with friends. Implants fit naturally into this lifestyle because they look and function like real teeth. You don’t think about them. You just live.
Closer to Granada Park or Madison Meadows, afternoons mean school pickups, sports practices, and grocery stops. Families move quickly. Nobody wants dental care that slows everything down. With implants, you can eat the meals you want, smile without hesitation, and get back to what matters. No adhesives. No slipping. Just strong, reliable teeth.
Evenings near Lincoln Vista, Tonka Vista, and Rolling Hills Estates are for winding down. Neighbors chat. Kids ride bikes. Dinner happens at home or a favorite local spot. For many, enjoying those meals fully wasn’t always possible. Implants change that. Steak, crunchy veggies, fresh bread—they’re all back on the table. Life tastes better again.
Weekends at The Pointe Resort or gatherings near Canterra at Squaw Peak Condominiums bring people together. It’s laughter in photos. It’s toasts at celebrations. It’s casual moments that deserve a confident smile. Implants give you that. They don’t come out. They don’t shift. They’re built to last.
This community is close-knit. From East Orangewood to Navea Ventura, from Torre Blanca to Patio Del Sol, people share recommendations. A dental office earns trust when care feels personal. Dental implants are more than a procedure—they’re a step toward comfort, security, and enjoying life in the neighborhoods you love.
Living near Piestewa Peak or the Glendale and 16th Street corridor means convenience matters. You want treatment that’s close to home, not across town. Implants make long-term dental health simple. They protect your jaw, preserve your smile, and free you from constant repairs.
If you’re in Squaw Peak, Dreamy Draw, the Biltmore communities, or any of the neighborhoods nearby, know that implants are an option designed for real life here. Strong. Natural. Lasting. A solution that fits where you live, eat, play, and connect. That’s how dental implants help you keep pace with Phoenix—and enjoy every part of it.