Delayed Implant Placement
Delayed Implant Placement is a specialized dental service provided by the board-certified specialists at Aloha Dental Specialty Center in Beaverton, OR. When waiting for the bone to fully heal before implant placement produces the safest, most predictable result.
Sometimes Patience Is the Best Surgical Decision
Delayed implant placement is the conventional two-stage approach: the failing tooth is extracted first, the site heals for three to six months, and then the implant is placed into mature, remodeled bone during a second surgery. While immediate placement gets more attention for its speed, delayed placement remains the gold standard for certain clinical situations — and choosing the right protocol for the right situation is where experience matters.
The primary advantage of delayed placement is control. After the extraction socket heals, Dr. Ostovar has a fully formed ridge of known dimensions to work with. There is no uncertainty about whether a buccal plate will hold or a socket wall will fracture during placement. The bone is dense, the soft tissue is keratinized and stable, and the implant can be positioned in the exact ideal location without the constraints of an extraction socket. For patients with active infection, thin buccal bone, or complex multi-rooted extraction sites, this staged approach significantly reduces risk.
The trade-off is time and a second procedure. To minimize bone loss during the healing interval, Dr. Ostovar typically performs a socket preservation graft at the time of extraction — filling the empty socket with bone graft material to maintain ridge volume. This grafting step means the site is ready for an implant in three to four months rather than experiencing the significant shrinkage that occurs with unmanaged socket healing. The second surgery for implant placement is often simpler and faster than the extraction itself.
Serving Beaverton, Aloha, Hillsboro & Washington County
Aloha Dental Specialty Center is located at 18455 SW Alexander St, Suite A, in Beaverton, Or 97003egon. We serve patients from across the Tualatin Valley and greater Portland metro, including Aloha, Hillsboro, Tigard, Lake Oswego, and Tualatin. Our Beaverton office is a 5-minute drive from Aloha, 10 minutes from Hillsboro, and 15 minutes from Tigard via SW 185th Avenue.
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Intel Campuses (Ronler Acres & Jones Farm)
10 to 15 minutes via NW 185th Ave. We accommodate the schedules of tech professionals who need efficient, high-quality specialty care.
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Nike World Headquarters
About 8 minutes via SW Baseline Rd. We frequently see patients from the Nike campus for surgical and implant procedures with sedation options.
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Streets of Tanasbourne & Orenco Station
Easily accessible via US-26 and NW 185th. Local general dentists in these communities regularly refer patients to us for specialty procedures.
Why Local Dentists Refer to Us
We work as a trusted partner to general dentists throughout the Tualatin Valley. When cases require CBCT-guided planning, IV sedation, bone grafting, or other advanced procedures, local providers refer to Dr. Ostovar for his fellowship-trained expertise and predictable results.
We handle the complex surgical phases and coordinate closely with your general dentist for smooth continuity of care from start to finish.
Understanding Your Investment
At Aloha Dental Specialty Center, we provide transparent pricing before any treatment begins. The cost of your procedure depends on clinical complexity, materials used, and sedation requirements. We walk you through every line item during your consultation so there are no surprises.
What Affects Cost:
- Clinical Complexity: Bone loss, sinus proximity, nerve involvement, or the need for grafting affects treatment planning and surgical time.
- Materials: We use research-backed implant systems, purified bone graft matrices, and high-strength ceramics from established manufacturers.
- Sedation: Options range from local anesthesia to IV sedation, each with different associated costs. We discuss the best option for your comfort and procedure.
Insurance & Financing
We accept most major dental insurance plans and file claims on your behalf. Our team verifies your benefits before treatment and submits pre-treatment estimates with clinical documentation to maximize coverage.
For out-of-pocket costs, we partner with CareCredit and Cherry for flexible payment plans. We also offer our ADSC Dental Savings Plan for patients without insurance.
Recovery & Healing Timeline
Understanding the healing process helps you plan ahead and follow post-operative instructions for the best possible outcome.
First 48 Hours
Mild swelling and tenderness are normal. Apply ice packs in 20-minute intervals and take prescribed or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication. Eat soft foods and avoid the surgical site when chewing.
Days 3 to 7
Swelling peaks around day three and then improves. The tissue begins closing over the surgical site. Continue with soft foods and use any prescribed antimicrobial rinse. Most patients return to normal activities during this phase.
Long-Term Healing
Surface tissue heals within two to three weeks. Bone integration and deep healing continue for three to six months. Avoid smoking, follow up as scheduled, and maintain good oral hygiene throughout recovery.
Questions during recovery? Call us at (503) 822-0096. We are available for post-operative concerns.
Ridge Remodeling: What Happens to Bone Between Extraction and Implant Placement
After tooth extraction, the alveolar ridge undergoes a predictable cascade of remodeling. Bundle bone — the tooth-dependent bone that lined the socket — resorbs almost completely within eight weeks because it loses its blood supply from the periodontal ligament. The remaining woven bone gradually remodels into denser lamellar bone over three to six months. Without socket preservation, studies by Schropp et al. demonstrate average horizontal ridge loss of 50 percent (approximately 5 to 7 mm) within 12 months. Socket preservation grafting reduces this loss to approximately 1 to 2 mm, preserving the ridge contour for predictable delayed implant placement.
Why Choose a Specialist?
Knowing when to wait is just as important as knowing how to operate. An aggressive clinician who attempts immediate placement in every case will encounter more complications than one who recognizes when delayed placement is the safer path. Dr. Ostovar's case selection judgment is informed by thousands of cases spanning both protocols. He does not default to one approach — he evaluates each site individually and recommends the protocol that maximizes your long-term outcome, even when it means adding months to the timeline.
Your Delayed Implant Placement Treatment Steps
- Consultation & Exam: Comprehensive delayed implant placement evaluation with CBCT 3D imaging at our Beaverton office.
- Treatment Plan: Board-certified specialist discusses your delayed implant placement options, timeline, and costs. Our procedures maintain a 95%+ success rate, backed by advanced 3D imaging and evidence-based protocols.
- Treatment: Procedure performed with comfort options including sedation if needed.
- Follow-Up: Post-treatment monitoring and care coordination for best healing.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
Book a consultation with our board-certified specialists at Aloha Dental Specialty Center in Beaverton, OR. Call (503) 822-0096 Office hours: Monday through Friday 7 AM to 7 PM, Saturday and Sunday 8 AM to 2 PM. or request an appointment online.
Related Services at Aloha Dental Specialty Center:
Dental Implants · Oral Surgery · Root Canal · Invisalign · Periodontics · Pediatric · TMJ Treatment · Sedation · Cosmetic · Emergency · Sleep Apnea
From Dr. Ostovar: What I Tell My Implant Patients
“In my experience placing thousands of dental implants, I’ve found that the patients who do best are the ones who understand what they’re getting into. It’s not a painful procedure — most people tell me it was easier than the extraction. But it is a process. You’re looking at 3-6 months from implant placement to final crown, sometimes longer if we need to build bone first.
I won’t sugarcoat it: not every patient is a candidate right away. If you’ve had teeth missing for years, you’ve likely lost bone. That doesn’t mean you can’t get implants — it means we may need a bone graft or sinus lift first. I’d rather take the time to build a solid foundation than rush and risk failure.
The materials matter too. We use Nobel Biocare and Straumann titanium implants — these are the systems with the best long-term research behind them. For the crown, I typically recommend zirconia or e.max porcelain depending on the location in your mouth. Front teeth get a different material consideration than molars.
If you’re comparing costs, a single implant at our Beaverton office runs $3,500-$5,500 including the crown. That’s competitive for the Portland metro area, and we offer CareCredit 0% financing. Most PPO dental insurance plans now cover a portion of implant costs — our team will verify your benefits before we start.”
— Dr. Merat Ostovar, DDS | Board-Certified Implant Specialist
If you’ve been hesitant about delayed implant placement, I want you to know that’s a common feeling. Most patients tell us afterward that it was much easier than they anticipated.
Are You a Candidate for Delayed Implant Placement?
Most patients in good general health are candidates for delayed implant placement. However, certain factors may affect your eligibility or require modifications to the treatment plan:
- Medical conditions: Uncontrolled diabetes, autoimmune disorders, or blood-thinning medications may require coordination with your physician before treatment.
- Bone quality: For delayed implant placement involving the jawbone, adequate bone density is essential. A CBCT 3D scan during your consultation determines this precisely.
- Smoking: Tobacco use significantly impairs healing. We strongly recommend quitting 2-4 weeks before and after any surgical procedure.
- Age: There is generally no upper age limit. What matters is your overall health, not your age. We have successfully treated patients in their 80s and 90s.
The only way to know for certain is a consultation with our board-certified specialists. Call (503) 822-0096 to schedule your evaluation — we’ll tell you honestly whether this is the right treatment for your situation.
Typical Healing Timeline:
Days 1-3: Initial healing, mild swelling managed with ice and medication. Days 4-7: Swelling subsides, gradual return to normal diet. Weeks 2-4: Soft tissue heals completely. Months 2-6: Bone remodeling and full integration (for surgical procedures). Individual recovery varies — we provide detailed post-op instructions specific to your procedure.
For additional clinical information, visit the American Dental Association (ADA).
Last reviewed by our dental specialists: March 2026. Clinical information on this page reflects current evidence-based dental practices.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why would delayed placement be recommended over immediate placement?
Delayed placement is preferred when the extraction site has active infection, thin or damaged buccal bone walls, a complex root morphology (especially multi-rooted molars), or when the socket shape does not allow the implant to achieve adequate primary stability. The goal is always the most predictable long-term result.
How long do I wait between extraction and implant placement?
Typically three to six months. If a socket preservation graft is placed at the time of extraction, the graft needs three to four months to mature. Without grafting, the socket remodels over four to six months. Dr. Ostovar confirms the site is ready for implant placement with a follow-up CBCT scan before scheduling surgery.
Will I be without a tooth during the waiting period?
No. We provide a temporary solution during the healing phase — either a removable flipper (a small partial denture), a temporary bonded bridge, or in some cases an essix retainer with a pontic tooth. These are especially important for front teeth where aesthetics matter.
What is socket preservation and is it done at the time of extraction?
Socket preservation is a bone grafting procedure performed immediately after extraction. The empty socket is filled with bone graft material (typically allograft or xenograft) and covered with a collagen membrane. This maintains the ridge volume so the site is ready for implant placement in three to four months without significant bone loss.
Is the delayed placement surgery more complex than the extraction?
No, it is usually simpler. The extraction often involves tooth sectioning, root elevation, and socket management. The implant placement surgery involves a clean incision in healed tissue, a controlled osteotomy in mature bone, and implant insertion. Many patients find the second procedure easier and faster than the first.
Does delayed placement have a higher success rate than immediate placement?
Success rates are comparable — both exceed 96 percent in the published literature. Delayed placement in well-grafted, mature bone may have a slightly more predictable outcome in complex cases, which is why it is the preferred approach when site conditions are not ideal for immediate placement.
Can delayed placement be used for any tooth in the mouth?
Yes. Delayed placement is applicable to any extraction site — incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. It is particularly useful for molar sites where the multi-rooted socket morphology makes immediate placement challenging, and for any site with active infection that needs to resolve before an implant can safely integrate.
What are the disadvantages of delayed placement?
The main disadvantages are longer total treatment time (an additional three to six months) and the need for a second surgical procedure. There is also some bone loss during the healing interval, though socket preservation grafting minimizes this. For patients who value speed and convenience, immediate placement may be preferable when clinically appropriate.
How do I care for the extraction site during the healing period?
Follow standard post-extraction instructions: gentle rinsing with salt water after 24 hours, no smoking, no drinking through straws, and a soft diet for the first week. If a bone graft was placed, avoid chewing directly on that area for two weeks. The site heals on its own with minimal intervention. We check healing at one and four weeks.
Will bone grafting at extraction guarantee enough bone for an implant later?
Socket preservation is highly effective at maintaining ridge volume, but it does not guarantee perfect bone for implant placement in every case. Occasionally, additional grafting (ridge augmentation) may be needed at the time of implant placement. Dr. Ostovar evaluates the grafted site with CBCT imaging before the second surgery to determine if supplemental grafting is indicated.
Is delayed placement more expensive because of the two-stage approach?
The total cost may be slightly higher because it involves two separate surgical appointments and the socket preservation graft. However, the individual procedures are each less complex, and the predictability of delayed placement can reduce the risk of costly complications. We provide comprehensive cost breakdowns for both approaches at your consultation.
Can I do other dental work during the waiting period?
Absolutely. The three-to-six-month healing interval is an excellent time to address other dental needs — cleanings, fillings, crowns, or additional extractions. We coordinate with your general dentist to make the most efficient use of the waiting period.
What if I wait too long after extraction — is there a deadline for implant placement?
There is no strict deadline, but the sooner an implant is placed, the better. Bone loss continues gradually after extraction, especially without a socket preservation graft. Patients who wait years after extraction often need more extensive bone grafting before an implant can be placed. If you have been missing a tooth for a long time, a CBCT scan will show exactly what bone remains.
How do I know if the site has healed enough for implant placement?
Dr. Ostovar orders a follow-up CBCT scan at three to four months post-extraction to evaluate bone fill, density, and ridge dimensions. The scan shows whether the graft has integrated and whether the site has adequate volume for implant placement. Visual healing of the soft tissue alone is not sufficient — bone maturity must be confirmed radiographically.
Is there a benefit to waiting longer than six months?
Generally, no. By six months, the extraction site has reached its stable remodeled state. Waiting longer does not improve bone quality and allows continued slow resorption, which can actually reduce available bone. Three to four months is the best window for implant placement in grafted sites.
Not Every Case Should Be Rushed — Get an Expert Opinion on Your Timeline
Call our Beaverton office or request an appointment online. We look forward to helping you.
Clinically Reviewed by Dr. Merat Ostovar, DMD
Doctor of Dental Medicine | Implant & Specialty Dentistry | 15+ Years Experience
Aloha Dental Specialty Center — Serving Aloha, Beaverton, Hillsboro & Greater Portland
Last updated: March 19, 2026