How Long Does a Dental Implant Impression Take?
Average Time for an Implant Impression:
- A traditional impression takes a maximum of 20 minutes.
- A digital impression takes between 10 to 20 minutes. [1]
Factors Influencing the Duration:
- Number of implants,
- Position of implants in the mouth,
- Experience of the dentist and the type of digital scanner,
- Patient cooperation during the treatment process.
Verified by Dr. Bonyanian’s Dental Specialists
The content of this article is for your information only. Before taking any action for treatment, consult with Dr. Bonyanian’s dental office.
Taking an impression for a dental implant is one of the essential stages in the dental implant treatment process. The accuracy and quality of this stage have a direct impact on the final outcome of the treatment.
Many patients who decide to have dental implants at Dr. Bonyanian’s dental clinic ask us how long the implant impression stage takes and what factors affect this duration.
For this reason, we decided to explain all the details related to the implant impression stage in this article from our website, so you can make a better and more informed decision in this regard.
What Is a Dental Implant Impression?
A dental implant impression is a process in which the dentist, using special impression materials, creates a precise mold of the implant site’s position, dimensions, and angle (usually after the osseointegration of implants stage is complete). [2, 10] This impression is sent to a dental laboratory after preparation to create a crown or final prosthesis that matches it.
How Long Does a Dental Implant Impression Take? (A General Time Assessment)
The time for a dental implant impression typically varies between 15 and 45 minutes for each implant. The reason for this variation is that the time depends on the complexity of the case, the number of implants, and the type of impression (digital or traditional). [1]
A dental implant impression usually takes between 15 and 20 minutes. [1] However, this can vary depending on the method used, the complexity of the case, the dentist’s experience, and the patient’s comfort. [1] A digital impression is usually faster and more comfortable, while a traditional impression may take a bit longer. [1, 27]
To learn more about “how long dental implant stages take,” please read the relevant article.
How Is a Dental Implant Impression Taken? | A Guide for Dentists
In the process of taking a dental implant impression, accuracy and adherence to specialized points are of utmost importance. Any error at this stage can lead to a mismatch between the implant and the natural teeth. Therefore, the dentist must pay special attention to the following points during the impression and placement stages:
- Before starting the impression process, the dentist must take precise X-rays to determine the type of impression and how to place the implant coping correctly.
- If polyvinyl siloxane impression material is used, vinyl gloves should be worn, as latex gloves may react with this material and reduce the accuracy of the impression.
- If the patient cannot fully open their mouth or access to the implant’s retaining screw is difficult, the closed-tray impression technique should be used. [4]
- In cases where several implants are being placed simultaneously, the impression’s accuracy must be higher because the alignment of the implant framework is very important. In case of misalignment, disproportionate pressure is applied to the implants, which can disrupt the process of fusion with the jawbone and even affect the alignment of natural teeth.
Different Methods of Taking an Implant Impression
To perform a dental implant placement, depending on the patient’s oral condition and the dentist’s expert opinion, two main impression methods are usually used: the open-tray and the closed-tray impression techniques. [4] Each of these methods has specific procedural steps and is used in different situations, which we will explain below.
Open-Tray Implant Impression
In this method, the dentist uses components that are directly connected to the implant and protrude from the gum. [16] During the impression process, the screw of these components is loosened, and the impression is taken directly from the implant abutment. [8]
This method is usually used for patients who have thicker gums or a large number of implants.
Advantages of the open-tray implant impression:
- High accuracy in transferring the implant’s position. [13]
- Suitable for cases with multiple implants or implants with unusual angles. [4, 13]
- Reduces the likelihood of component displacement during the impression process.
Closed-Tray Implant Impression
In this method, a small component (impression coping) is attached to the implant, and after placing the tray (impression), the coping remains inside the impression. [8] The impression is then removed along with the component and worked on in the laboratory.
This method is more often recommended for patients with a simpler oral condition and fewer implants. [4]
Advantages of the closed-tray implant impression:
- A faster and simpler process. [6]
- Greater comfort for the patient, especially in the posterior areas of the mouth.
- Suitable for patients with limited mouth opening. [4]
Factors Affecting the Duration of a Dental Implant Impression
As we mentioned, certain factors can affect how long the dental implant impression stage takes. Below, we examine the role of these factors in the impression process.
Number of Implants
If your goal is to replace a missing tooth with just one implant, the impression stage will take about 20 minutes for you. But in cases where you intend to place several implants in your upper or lower jaw, the time for your implant impression could be up to 45 minutes or even longer.
Impression Method
As we explained a little earlier, there are different methods for taking a dental implant impression. Therefore, the type and method of the impression also naturally affect the duration of this process. [1]
Type of Implant and Its Components
Depending on the implant system that is going to be used (e.g., Nobel Biocare, Straumann, or Zimmer), the connection of the impression components may be simple or complex. [3, 5] In special cases and when using the best dental implant brands, more precise adjustments for the tray or coping components are necessary, which increases the time required for the impression process. [14, 15]
The Dentist’s Experience in Taking an Implant Impression
One of the most important factors affecting how long a dental implant impression takes is the experience and skill of the dentist in performing this sensitive stage. [1]
The impression materials or digital tools may be almost the same in all clinics, but what determines the outcome is the clinical knowledge, precision, and delicacy that the dentist uses in adjusting the implant components, choosing the right impression tools, and assessing the patient’s oral and dental condition. This is also the main difference between digital and conventional implants.
A dentist with extensive experience in taking implant impressions can perform the stages faster, without trial and error, and with minimal discomfort for the patient. This means saving time, reducing the possibility of needing a new impression, and ultimately receiving a prosthesis with the best possible fit.
For these reasons, at Dr. Bonyanian’s specialized dental clinic, using modern digital equipment and relying on the specialized knowledge of Dr. Bonyanian in the field of implants, we perform the impression and prosthesis creation stages with high accuracy and in the shortest possible time for you.
To get an appointment for a dental implant impression from Dr. Bonyanian, you can fill out the form below or call 009821-88539720.
Patient’s Physiological Conditions
Finally, all the factors we have mentioned, the patient’s oral and dental condition (including the opening of the intended socket, the presence of previous sensitivities, a history of gum disease, and similar issues) can also increase the time required to perform the impression process. [37]
Stages of an Implant Impression and the Duration of Each Stage
To better understand how long a dental implant impression takes, it’s best to become familiar with the stages of this process:
- Patient Preparation: In this stage, the general condition of the mouth is examined, and the implant site is cleaned. If necessary, the impression tray is introduced to the patient, and the process is explained.
- Attaching the Transfer Component or Coping: Copings are components that are placed on the implant to transfer the exact position of the implant to the impression. [8]
- Placing the Impression Material or Digital Scanning: In the traditional method, the impression is placed in the mouth using a special tool and impression material. In the digital dental implant method, an intraoral scanner is used. [27, 28]
- Removing the Impression and Checking Its Quality: After the impression material has set or the scan is complete, the impression or digital file is checked to ensure its accuracy and precision. [8]
- Sending to the Laboratory and Recording Information: In this stage, the prepared impression or digital file is sent to the laboratory along with the necessary information to create the prosthesis.
Total average time: A maximum of 20 minutes for each implant.
Is Taking an Implant Impression Painful?
One of the common questions besides “how long does a dental implant impression take?” is whether the dental implant is also painful at the impression stage.
Dr. Bonyanian explains:
Normally, taking an implant impression is not painful because the area where the implant is to be placed has no nerves. [34] Therefore, no pain is felt from this area and the socket where the implant will be placed. [34] However, some patients may feel a little pressure or discomfort during the impression stage from keeping their mouth open or from the dentist’s use of instruments, which can ultimately be resolved with a regular, over-the-counter pain reliever. [35, 36]
Important Tips Before and After an Implant Impression
- It is better to brush your teeth and clean your mouth with mouthwash before taking the impression.
- If the patient experiences nausea during the impression, it is better to take the pre-implant care seriously.
- After the impression is taken and until the final prosthesis is placed, you must take care of the implant and its attached components.
Does an Implant Impression Require a Separate Session?
In many cases, the implant impression is taken in a separate session after the healing period (about 3 to 6 months after implant placement). [20, 29] However, in some modern methods, it is possible to take the impression at the same time as the implant placement, which is called the “immediate loading” technique.
How Long Does a Digital Implant Impression Take?
If digital technologies are used for the impression, this stage takes between 5 and a maximum of 10 minutes. [1] Therefore, this method is not only faster but also more accurate and comfortable, both for the patient and the dentist. [25, 17]
Final Conclusion on How Long a Dental Implant Impression Takes
Finally, from what we have read, we understood that the process of taking a dental implant impression takes between 5 and 20 minutes for each implant, depending on the method, the number of implants, the dentist’s experience, and the patient’s condition. [1]
We also learned that using modern digital methods can reduce this time and increase the accuracy of the work. Therefore, consulting with a specialized dentist and the best implant doctor, like Dr. Nazanin Bonyanian, and choosing the right method all play an important role in the quality and speed of this stage of implant treatment.
Dr. Nazi Bonyanian
Dental Surgeon (DDS) — Medical Council Number: 138662
Graduate of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences with over 15 years of experience in implants, laminates, and oral and dental surgery.
Address: No. 22, Unit 7, West Alley 6, Bokharest Street, Argentina Sq., Tehran, Iran
Phone: +98-21-88539720 | WhatsApp: +98-912-514-2202
Email: info@drbonyanian.com
Working Hours: Sat–Wed 09:00–20:00 | Thu 09:00–14:00 | Friday Closed
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