The dental implant procedure happens in stages: an assessment with scans, any extractions or bone grafting that are needed, placement of the implant, a healing period of several months while the implant fuses with the jawbone, and finally the fitting of the abutment and crown. For patients travelling from South Africa, this usually means two trips to Turkey with a few months at home in between.

Stage 1: Assessment, scans and your written plan

Everything starts with an assessment. You can begin online from South Africa by sharing recent X-rays and photos with our contracted dental team, but the final decision is made in İzmir after a clinical examination and imaging.

The American Academy of Implant Dentistry describes this first appointment as a thorough oral evaluation, including X-rays or 3D imaging of the mouth, so that the dentist has a full view before choosing a treatment plan. A 3D scan, often a cone beam CT (CBCT), shows the height and width of your jawbone, the position of nerves and, in the upper jaw, how close the sinus sits. These details decide where an implant can safely go, what size it should be and whether you need extra work first.

At the end of the assessment you should receive a written plan. It should list each stage, the number of implants, the implant system to be used, whether grafting is planned and the expected timing of your second visit.

Stage 2: Extractions, bone grafting or a sinus lift (only if needed)

Not every patient needs these steps. Your dentist decides, based on the scan.

• Extractions: if a damaged tooth is still in place, it is removed first. Depending on the condition of the bone and gum, the implant may be placed at the same visit or after the socket has healed.
• Bone grafting: if the jawbone is too thin or too short to hold an implant, a graft can rebuild the area. According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, recovery from bone grafting can take eight weeks to several months.
• Sinus lift: in the upper back jaw, the sinus can sit close to the bone. A sinus lift raises the sinus floor and adds bone beneath it so an implant has enough support.

Some grafts can be done at the same appointment as the implant; others need to heal first and may add time or an extra trip, so it is worth knowing before you book flights.

Stage 3: Placing the implant

The implant itself is a small post, usually made of titanium, that acts as a new tooth root. Cleveland Clinic outlines the surgical steps as follows: the area is numbed with local anaesthetic (sedation is optional), a small opening is made in the gum, a precise channel is prepared in the bone, the implant is placed, and the gum is closed with stitches.

Some swelling, bruising and soreness are normal at first; Cleveland Clinic notes the first round of healing takes about a week. Eat soft foods, keep the area clean as instructed and do not smoke. Before you fly home, the treating dentist checks the site and confirms in writing that you are fit to travel.

Stage 4: Osseointegration, the healing period at home

This is the longest and most important stage. Osseointegration is the process by which the jawbone grows tightly around the implant and fuses with it. Cleveland Clinic describes it as critical for stability and long-term success, and states that it can take anywhere from three to nine months. Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust notes that implant treatment as a whole can take 6 to 12 months.

Your bone quality, the site, any grafting and your general health all affect the timing. Your dentist decides when the implant is ready; with our contracted dental team, the crown is not fitted before at least three months after placement, and only once the implant is confirmed to be stable.

Temporary teeth while you heal

Cleveland Clinic explains that implants near the front usually get a temporary tooth during healing, while those at the back may not need one. Your dentist explains which type of temporary suits your plan.

Stage 5: The second visit for the abutment and final crowns

Once the implant has fused with the bone, you return to İzmir. The dentist checks the implant and takes new X-rays. The abutment, a small connector that links the implant to the crown, is then attached. Cleveland Clinic notes this step usually takes about an hour and may involve a second minor procedure to uncover the implant. The American Academy of Implant Dentistry notes that the gum may need about two weeks to heal around the abutment before the final teeth go in.

Impressions or digital scans are taken so the crown, bridge or denture fits your bite and matches your teeth. At the final fitting the dentist checks bite and colour, adjusts as needed, and gives you a written record of what was placed.

Planning the two trips from South Africa

Turkey is one hour ahead of South Africa, so online check-ins are easy to arrange. For flights and arrival, see our guide to flying from Johannesburg or Cape Town to İzmir.

Stage	Where	What happens	Your role
Before travel	South Africa (online)	Free online consultation, review of any X-rays	Share history, medicines, smoking status; tell your local dentist
Trip 1	İzmir	Examination, 3D scan, written plan, any extractions or grafting, implant placement	Follow aftercare advice; fly only once cleared in writing
Healing (typically 3 to 9 months)	South Africa	Implant fuses with the bone	Soft diet at first, careful cleaning, no smoking, check-up with your local dentist, photo updates on WhatsApp
Trip 2	İzmir	X-rays, abutment, impressions, fitting of final crowns	Allow time for adjustments before flying home
Long term	South Africa	Routine care of the implants	Daily cleaning, regular check-ups and hygiene visits

A few practical points help:

• Do not book the return date too tightly. Allow a margin on both trips in case the dentist wants an extra check before you fly.
• Book a check-up at home after trip one. Your South African dentist can check the site and, if needed, take an X-ray to share with our team.
• Keep in touch while you heal. Follow-up continues online and on WhatsApp after you fly home. If anything worries you, such as increasing pain, swelling, fever, pus or a loose temporary, contact the team straight away and see a local dentist if you need to be seen in person.
• Time the second trip around the dentist’s advice, not a fixed date.

Looking after your implants for the long term

Implants cannot decay, but the gum and bone around them can become inflamed if plaque builds up. Cleveland Clinic advises brushing, flossing and keeping regular dental visits, and notes that implants can last a lifetime with good care, while the crowns or bridges on top may eventually need replacing. The American Academy of Implant Dentistry adds that interdental brushes help clean around implants, and that a night guard may be worth discussing if you grind your teeth.

Your written record of the implant system and components helps your local dentist maintain the implants and order parts if a crown ever needs replacing. Our treatment guarantee also applies.

When this may not be right for you

Treatment in Turkey is a good fit for many people, but not for everyone. Staying in South Africa may be the better choice if:

• you cannot commit to two trips a few months apart, or your plan is likely to need several extra visits for complex grafting;
• you have a medical condition, or take medicines, that your doctor feels need close monitoring by a team near home;
• you are unable or unwilling to stop smoking during healing;
• you want every appointment to be a short drive away.

If you are weighing up the two options more broadly, our article Dental Implants and Veneers: South Africa or Turkey? covers that decision.

Frequently asked questions

Does the dental implant procedure hurt?

The area is numbed with local anaesthetic, and sedation can be discussed. Afterwards, soreness, swelling and slight bruising are common for a few days and are usually managed with the pain relief your dentist recommends.

How long does it take for a dental implant to heal?

The first healing of the gum takes about a week, but the implant needs typically three to nine months to fuse with the jawbone. Your dentist confirms when it is stable enough for the final crown.

Will I have a gap in my teeth between the two trips?

For front teeth, a temporary tooth is usually fitted so there is no visible gap. For back teeth a temporary may not be needed. Your dentist explains the options in your plan.

Can I go back to work after the first trip?

It depends on your job and the extent of your treatment. The first round of gum healing takes about a week, and heavy physical work or contact sport may need longer. Ask the treating dentist for advice that fits your job.

What happens if an implant does not fuse with the bone?

Occasionally an implant does not integrate. It is then removed, the area is allowed to heal, and another attempt may be possible after a few months. Your dentist will explain the options.

Ready to see whether implants could work for you? Read our dental implants in Turkey guide for South African patients, book a free online consultation, or message us on WhatsApp. You will receive a written plan and a written quote before you decide. More guidance is on our page for South African patients.

Sources

• Cleveland Clinic, Dental Implants: Surgery, Advantages, Risks, Procedure & Recovery
• American Academy of Implant Dentistry, What to Expect at Your Initial Dental Implant Consultation
• American Academy of Implant Dentistry, What to Expect After Getting Dental Implants
• Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, Dental implants