Dental implants
Dental implant timeline — how long does treatment take for NZ patients?
Single dental implant: two trips to Vietnam separated by 3–6 months in NZ. Trip 1 is 4–5 days, trip 2 is 5–7 days. Total elapsed time roughly 7–10 months. Full timeline here.
A standard single dental implant at Picasso Dental Clinic involves two trips to Vietnam separated by 3–6 months of osseointegration in New Zealand, with trip one typically 4–5 days for placement and trip two 5–7 days for the final crown, making the total elapsed time from first contact to final crown approximately 7–10 months.
Timeline clarity is the most important planning tool for any New Zealand patient considering dental implant treatment overseas. How many trips? How long between them? How much annual leave do you need? This page gives the honest, specific answers for standard single implant cases, All-on-4, and cases that include bone grafting.
The standard two-trip timeline
For a single dental implant with no bone grafting and adequate bone volume on initial assessment, the timeline follows this structure:
| Phase | What happens | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-travel | Digital consultation, quote, OPG review, treatment plan confirmed | 1–4 weeks |
| Trip one | CBCT scan, implant placement, post-op review | 4–5 days in Vietnam |
| Osseointegration | Healing in NZ — titanium bonds with jawbone | 3–6 months |
| Pre-trip-two | Confirm integration with your NZ dentist or via video consult | 1–2 weeks |
| Trip two | Digital scan, abutment, crown fabrication and fit | 5–7 days in Vietnam |
| Total elapsed time | From first contact to final crown | ~7–10 months |
This is a planning guide, not a contractual schedule. Your written treatment plan will specify the timeline for your individual case.
Why two trips?
Osseointegration is biology, not a scheduling preference. After a titanium implant fixture is placed in the jawbone, the bone cells gradually grow into and around the titanium surface — a process that creates a stable, load-bearing foundation for the final crown. This process takes a minimum of 3–4 months for standard cases and up to 6 months where bone grafting is involved.
Fitting a permanent crown before osseointegration is complete significantly increases the risk of implant failure. The force of chewing on a crown that is not yet anchored in integrated bone can disrupt the healing process and cause the fixture to fail. We do not rush this phase.
The two-trip model is the international clinical standard for implant-supported crowns. Any clinic offering a single-trip permanent implant crown without an extended assessment and protocol explanation warrants close scrutiny.
Immediate loading — can I get a provisional crown on trip one?
In suitable cases, a provisional crown can be placed on the same day as implant placement. This is called immediate loading or same-day provisional. It allows the patient to leave Vietnam with a functional tooth in position and serves as a placeholder while osseointegration occurs.
Eligibility criteria for immediate loading:
- Primary stability torque above 35 Ncm at the time of placement
- Adequate bone density and volume confirmed on CBCT
- No simultaneous bone grafting at the site
- Non-smoker or very light smoker with good healing history
- Good general health — no uncontrolled diabetes or immune compromise
Approximately 30–50% of single implant cases we see from New Zealand patients meet all criteria. We assess this from your CBCT on arrival and confirm it intraoperatively at the time of placement.
Important: the provisional crown placed on trip one is not the final crown. It is a resin tooth — functional and aesthetic, but not the high-strength ceramic crown you will receive on trip two. The final crown is always fitted after confirmed osseointegration.
All-on-4 timeline
All-on-4 follows the same two-trip structure with slightly longer visits due to the complexity of full-arch treatment.
| Phase | What happens | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-travel | Digital consultation, CBCT review, full-arch plan confirmed | 1–4 weeks |
| Trip one | CBCT (if not already submitted), extractions of remaining teeth (if needed), 4 implant placements, immediate full-arch provisional bridge | 5–7 days in Vietnam |
| Provisional phase in NZ | Healing with provisional bridge in place | 3–6 months |
| Trip two | Digital scan, bite registration, final high-strength full-arch prosthesis fabricated and fitted | 5–7 days in Vietnam |
| Total elapsed time | From first contact to final prosthesis | ~8–12 months |
The All-on-4 provisional bridge allows you to eat, speak, and function normally during the osseointegration phase. It is a resin bridge — we provide specific dietary guidelines for care during this period. See All-on-4 recovery for the full provisional-phase protocol.
How bone grafting affects the timeline
The impact of bone grafting on your timeline depends on the type of graft and whether it is staged or simultaneous with implant placement.
| Graft type | Staged or simultaneous? | Additional time |
|---|---|---|
| Socket preservation (at extraction) | Simultaneous with extraction — implant placed 3–4 months later | 3–4 months before implant placement |
| Ridge augmentation (significant volume loss) | Usually staged | 4–6 months before implant can be placed |
| Lateral sinus lift | Usually staged | 4–6 months before implant can be placed |
| Crestal sinus lift (minor elevation) | Often simultaneous with implant placement | No additional staging time |
Where grafting and implant placement can be done simultaneously, the total number of trips does not change — but the osseointegration wait extends to 5–6 months.
Where grafting must be staged, a third trip (or a significantly longer first trip) may be required. This is identified at the CBCT assessment and always confirmed in writing before you book flights.
Timeline from first contact to final crown
Here is the full sequence mapped against typical elapsed time:
| Step | Typical timing |
|---|---|
| Submit photos and request a quote | Day 0 |
| Receive written quote and treatment plan | Day 3–10 |
| Confirm plan and book trip one | Week 2–4 |
| Arrive in Vietnam for trip one | Week 4–8 |
| Trip one duration (CBCT + placement) | 4–5 days |
| Return to NZ — osseointegration begins | End of trip one |
| NZ dentist review at 4–6 weeks | ~Week 10–14 |
| Osseointegration confirmed (clinical + X-ray) | Month 4–6 |
| Book trip two | After confirmation |
| Trip two duration (scan + crown + review) | 5–7 days |
| Final crown fitted | Month 7–10 from first contact |
Annual leave planning for two trips
Most New Zealand patients use one week of annual leave per trip. Here is how the days typically break down:
Trip one — single implant (no grafting):
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive, settle, clinic consultation |
| Day 2 | CBCT, treatment plan confirmation, implant placement |
| Day 3 | Rest and recovery at hotel |
| Day 4 | Post-op review, any minor adjustments |
| Day 5 | Return flight to NZ |
Trip one — All-on-4 (with extractions):
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive, full assessment, treatment consent |
| Day 2 | Extractions, implant placement, provisional bridge fitted |
| Day 3–4 | Rest and recovery |
| Day 5 | Post-op review, adjustments to provisional bite |
| Day 6–7 | Buffer and departure |
We recommend including at least one buffer day in your itinerary to accommodate appointment adjustments or post-op checks that require an extra visit.
What can delay the timeline
These are the most common causes of timeline extension, most of which can be avoided with thorough pre-travel preparation:
- No current OPG submitted before travel: we require a panoramic X-ray dated within 12 months. If we do not have one, we take it on arrival — but this adds a step and can shift appointment scheduling.
- Undisclosed medical factors: bisphosphonate use (for osteoporosis treatment) affects bone healing and may contraindicate implants. Uncontrolled diabetes impairs healing. These must be disclosed during the initial consultation.
- Unexpected bone deficiency: even with an OPG, significant three-dimensional bone deficiency is only fully visible on CBCT. If a sinus lift or ridge graft is identified on arrival that was not anticipated, the treatment plan will be updated and the timeline discussed with you before proceeding.
- Patient health during osseointegration: illness, nutritional deficiency, or medication changes during the healing phase can slow osseointegration. If anything significant changes during the healing period, contact us.
Your written treatment plan includes the timeline
Every Picasso implant treatment plan that we send before you book your flights includes:
- Number of trips required
- Estimated duration of each trip in Vietnam
- Expected osseointegration period
- Conditions that may change the timeline (identified from your submitted records)
- What to submit for the next stage
If the plan does not include all of the above, ask us to confirm it in writing before you commit to flights.
Next step
If you would like a specific timeline for your case — based on your current X-rays and dental history — submit a free quote request and we will provide a written assessment.
About this page
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Tran Thanh Phong
Head of Implantology, Picasso Dental Clinic
DDS · 25+ years in practice · 15,000+ implants placed · 1,000+ All-on-4 cases
Clinical focus: Implantology · All-on-4 · Zygomatic implants
Dr. Tran Thanh Phong has practised since 2001 and leads implantology across the Picasso group. He was the first Vietnamese dentist to perform All-on-4 immediate loading (2010), placed over 15,000 implants across his career at roughly 600 per year, and has completed 400+ zygomatic implant cases since 2017. Loma Linda University-trained (2010). Clinical representative for Nobel Biocare in Vietnam since 2007.
Frequently asked questions
How many trips to Vietnam do I need for dental implants?
Most single implant cases require two trips to Vietnam: trip one for CBCT scanning and implant placement (4–5 days), and trip two for the final crown after osseointegration (5–7 days). In some cases where immediate loading criteria are met, a provisional crown can be placed on trip one, but the final crown still requires a return visit after 3–6 months of healing.
How long between my two trips for implants?
The gap between trip one (implant placement) and trip two (final crown) is determined by osseointegration — the biological bonding of the titanium fixture with your jawbone. This takes 3–6 months. Standard cases without bone grafting are typically 3–4 months. Cases with simultaneous bone grafting are usually 5–6 months. We confirm the specific gap in your written treatment plan.
Can I get a crown fitted on the same trip as my implant placement?
A provisional crown (not the final crown) can be placed on trip one in suitable cases — this is called immediate loading. Eligibility requires high primary stability (torque above 35 Ncm), sufficient bone density and volume, no active grafting, and non-smoker or very light smoker status. Approximately 30–50% of single implant cases meet these criteria. The final high-strength crown always requires a second trip after osseointegration.
What causes delays to the dental implant timeline?
Common causes of timeline extension include: insufficient pre-travel records (requiring additional diagnostics on arrival), undisclosed medical factors such as bisphosphonate use or uncontrolled diabetes, unexpected bone deficiency requiring grafting that was not identified before travel, and slow osseointegration in patients with certain health conditions. A current OPG (panoramic X-ray) submitted before your first trip significantly reduces the risk of unexpected delays.
How long does the All-on-4 treatment take?
All-on-4 involves the same two-trip structure as single implants. Trip one (diagnostics, extractions of remaining teeth if needed, implant placement, and immediate full-arch provisional bridge) typically takes 5–7 days. After 3–6 months of osseointegration in New Zealand, trip two for the final high-strength full-arch prosthesis takes 5–7 days.
Does bone grafting add time to the implant timeline?
Yes. If bone grafting is staged separately from implant placement — which is common for significant ridge augmentation or sinus lifts — an additional 4–6 months of graft healing is required before the implant can be placed. In some cases, grafting and implant placement can be done simultaneously, which avoids adding a separate healing phase, but this depends on the volume and type of grafting required.
Can I shorten the dental implant timeline?
The osseointegration phase cannot be shortened — it is a biological process. What you can do to optimise the timeline is: submit a current OPG and dental photos before your first trip to reduce diagnostic delays; disclose all medications and medical history upfront; follow the post-operative protocol precisely to support osseointegration; and book trip two promptly once you have confirmation that integration is complete.