Your implant journey, appointment by appointment.
Patient education is part of how implants succeed. Dr. Arielle Forbes, DMD wants you to understand every stage before it happens — so here is the whole sequence, from your first free visit to the day your permanent teeth go in.
The sequence of appointments
Five visits, each with a clear job. Here's what happens at every one — and roughly when. (Your own timeline is confirmed at your consultation; cases vary.)
- Free consultation — day 1You and Dr. Arielle Forbes, DMD determine your needs, assess your oral health, review your medical history, and walk through your treatment options. Costs, financing if you need it, and timing are all discussed openly — see cost & financing.
- Pre-procedure exam — often the same dayA 3D CT scan and a photo-realistic 3D digitalization of your face and jaw, plus impressions of your teeth. This exam usually lasts around an hour, and it's what makes precise planning possible.
- Surgery dayAny teeth that need to come out are removed, your implants are placed in the jawbone, and a temporary, non-removable full set of teeth is attached. You leave the same day with your implanted teeth and a new smile.
- Post-op evaluation — 2 days after surgeryYou come back for a full evaluation to make sure healing, aesthetics, and function are all exactly where they should be.
- Final prosthesis — about 3 months laterOnce your implants have fused with the bone, the final restoration is permanently attached and Dr. Arielle Forbes, DMD gives your bite and aesthetics a last careful evaluation. You leave with your permanent smile.
They informed me every step in the process and were QUICK!
What makes the timeline move smoothly
Planning up front
The consultation and imaging exam settle your plan, your price, and your dates before anything is scheduled — no mid-treatment surprises.
Teeth on surgery day
Fixed temporary teeth go in the same day as your implants, so there's no toothless waiting period while you heal.
Everything under one roof
Imaging, surgery, and the restorations themselves happen in one practice — fewer handoffs, fewer delays.
Timeline questions patients ask
Can the exam happen the same day as my free consultation?
Often, yes. The pre-procedure exam — 3D CT scan, a photo-realistic 3D digitalization of your face and jaw, and impressions of your teeth — can frequently be done the same day as your free consultation, and usually takes about an hour.
Will I really leave surgery day with teeth?
For full-arch cases (like All-on-4), a temporary, non-removable set of teeth is typically attached to your implants the same day they’re placed. Single implants usually follow a staged path while the implant integrates. Your consultation confirms which applies to your case.
Why is there a follow-up two days after surgery?
It’s a quick but important checkpoint. Dr. Arielle Forbes, DMD verifies that healing is on track and that your temporary teeth look and function the way they should — so any small adjustment happens early, not months later.
When do I get my final, permanent teeth?
Typically about three months after your post-op evaluation, once the implants have fully fused with your bone. The final restoration is permanently attached, and your bite and aesthetics get one last careful evaluation.
Is this timeline the same for everyone?
No — it’s the typical sequence, not a promise. Extractions, bone grafting, or healing speed can shift your dates. Your consultation maps your timeline specifically, before anything begins.
Ready to see your own timeline?
Day 1 is free — a conversation, imaging, and honest answers with Dr. Arielle Forbes, DMD. Talk to a patient coordinator today.
Book your free consultation