How long periodontal treatment takes Patient guide

Periodontal treatment time runs from a single deep-cleaning visit to many months when extraction, bone grafting and an implant are staged. Cleveland Clinic puts the full implant process at 6 to 12 months. Healing sets most of that time: placing the implant itself takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

Bright smile with healthy teeth and glossy lips, photo for How long periodontal treatment takes

How long does gum disease treatment take?

Gum disease treatment starts with one or two cleaning visits, then a re-evaluation weeks later decides whether surgery is needed.

Treatment	Visits	Chair time	Healing	Timeline
Scaling and root planing	1 or 2	1 to 2 hours	Normal routine the same day; sensitivity can last a month or two	Re-evaluation at least 6 weeks later
Re-evaluation	1	Ask the office	Not applicable	6 weeks to 3 months after therapy
LANAP	2, one per side, usually within a week	About 2 hours each	No brushing or flossing there for 7 to 10 days	Post-op visits at week 1, month 1, then months 4, 7 and 10
Osseous surgery	Ask the office	30 to 60 minutes	2 to 4 weeks	Ask the office

The LANAP manufacturer states bone can keep regenerating for 18 to 36 months. LANAP patients are cleaned every three months for at least the first year.

How long do gum grafts and crown lengthening take?

Gum grafts and crown lengthening heal in weeks, and the final gumline is checked over the following months.

Treatment	Visits	Chair time	Healing	Timeline
Gum graft	1 surgery, check about 1 week later	About 1 hour for one graft	1 to 2 weeks	Follow-ups until release to the general dentist
Pinhole	1; several teeth or an arch per session	About 22 minutes on average, per the developer	Normal activity in 24 to 48 hours, per the developer	Ask the office
Crown lengthening	1 surgery	Ask the office	About 2 months before the crown at Boston University's clinic	6 weeks may be enough before the crown, per a pilot study

The gum margin can move back toward the crown during the first year after crown lengthening. A 12-month study found the regrowth stronger in patients with thick gum tissue. The AAP describes crown lengthening both to correct a gummy smile and to expose enough tooth for a crown.

How long do bone grafts and sinus lifts take?

Bone grafts and sinus lifts need months of healing before an implant can go in.

Treatment	Visits	Chair time	Healing	Timeline
Extraction with socket graft	1	30 to 60 minutes per tooth	Routine activity in 48 to 72 hours	Graft heals at least 3 months before an implant
Bone graft	1	Ask the office	Initial recovery about 1 week	At least 3 months; large grafts 9 to 12 months
Sinus lift	1, sometimes with the implant	Ask the office	Ask the office	Bone develops 4 to 12 months before implants

Once a graft heals, Cleveland Clinic advises placing the implant within 6 to 12 months, before the new bone starts to shrink. The AAP notes that an implant can sometimes go in during the same surgery as the sinus lift. The jawbone takes several weeks to heal after an extraction.

How long from implant placement to the final crown?

Implant placement to final crown takes months, because the jawbone must fuse to the implant before the crown is attached.

Step	Time	Source
Bone graft, when bone is short	About 3 months of healing first	Cleveland Clinic
Implant placement	About 15 to 20 minutes	Cleveland Clinic
Fusing to bone (osseointegration)	3 to 9 months	Cleveland Clinic
Fusing to bone, AAP figure	2 to 6 months	AAP
Uncovering and healing cap	Gums heal for a couple of weeks	AAP
Abutment and crown	About 1 hour; sometimes a second minor surgery	Cleveland Clinic
Whole process	6 to 12 months	Cleveland Clinic

Boston University's clinic reports that the implant itself heals in about three months on average. The same clinic puts complete surgical implant treatment at 3 to 12 months. Dental implant process. Immediate implants.

What makes periodontal treatment take longer?

Treatment takes longer when grafts are large, when surgery follows the first round of cleaning, or when healing checks add visits.

Graft size: a large bone graft can need 9 to 12 months, per Cleveland Clinic.
Staged sinus lifts: bone may need 4 to 12 months before implants, per the AAP.
Surgery after re-evaluation: the EFP guideline adds surgery only for sites that miss the endpoints after cleaning, then re-assesses.
Bite changes: after LANAP, the bite is adjusted several times over the following months, and splints may be made.
Medical review: the ADA asks for a physician consultation before sedation for patients with significant medical conditions.
Gumline settling: after crown lengthening, the gum margin can keep moving through the first 12 months.

Maintenance visits continue after active treatment. Cleveland Clinic says many people who need periodontal maintenance should be seen every three to four months. Periodontal maintenance.

Questions

How long does a periodontist appointment take?

The length depends on the visit. Boston University's periodontics clinic books about 60 to 90 minutes for a first appointment. Cleveland Clinic puts a deep cleaning at 1 to 2 hours. The LANAP manufacturer describes visits of about two hours each. A single gum graft takes about an hour, per Cleveland Clinic.

Can I go back to work after gum surgery?

Cleveland Clinic states most people return to work or school one to two days after a gum graft. After a deep cleaning, most people resume normal routines the same day. The LANAP manufacturer states most patients return to regular activities right after the procedure. Patients who had sedation need a driver, and the ASA notes they may be told not to drive for a day.

Why wait before re-checking the gums after a deep cleaning?

The wait lets inflammation resolve and the tissue repair before it is measured again. Aetna's dental policy considers at least six weeks the appropriate interval. The policy cites the AAP and EFP for re-evaluation at six weeks to three months after therapy, depending on treatment. The re-check compares new pocket readings with the first chart.

How long do lasered gums take to heal?

After LANAP, gums are usually sore for a few days, per the manufacturer. Patients follow a liquid or soft diet for two weeks. Brushing and flossing the treated area wait 7 to 10 days. The manufacturer states bone can continue to regenerate for 18 to 36 months, with bite checks along the way.

Can an implant go in the same day as the extraction?

Sometimes. Placing the implant in the fresh socket is called immediate placement. A review of implants in extraction sites found survival rates for immediate placement similar to early placement. The same review found recession of the gum on the front surface more common after immediate placement, with thin gum tissue and thin or damaged front bone as risk indicators.

How long will I need periodontal maintenance?

Maintenance continues after active treatment ends. The EFP guideline describes supportive periodontal care as the step that extends the benefits of treatment over time, at intervals of 3 to 12 months. LANAP patients are cleaned every three months for at least the first year. Intervals are set from each patient's measurements and risk.

Sources

Reviewed by Steve Schadt, Director of IT and Medical Compliance: 25 years in dentistry, medicine and HIPAA compliance. Updated 2026-10-02. Checked against the sources listed. General information, not medical advice.

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How to check a periodontist's credentialsFour public records confirm a Florida periodontist's credentials: the Department of Health license search, the federal NPI Registry, the American Board of Periodontology locator and CODA's list of accredited residencies.

Questions to ask a periodontistPatients can ask a periodontist about training, the diagnosis, treatment options, time and visits, cost and insurance, sedation and aftercare before agreeing to a plan.

Sedation for gum and implant surgeryGum and implant surgery is done under local anesthesia, alone or with nitrous oxide, oral sedation, IV moderate sedation or general anesthesia.

Treatment codes on a periodontal planThe codes on a periodontal treatment plan are CDT codes, the HIPAA standard code set for dental records and claims, published by the American Dental Association.

Referrals to a periodontistA referral to a periodontist is required only when the dental plan requires one.