Dental implants are a very popular choice because it is a permanent tooth replacement option. Dental implants look, feel and act like your natural teeth, and you can eat all the foods you love. You must care for a dental implant the same way you care for your natural teeth, and in most cases, dental implants can last a lifetime!
This process has many stages, and if you are wondering how long it takes to get dental implants, the answer will vary from one patient to another. For some people, the process can take as little as 4 to 6 months, but for others, it can take up to 12 months or even longer. The timeline will depend on your oral health and the number of dental implants you are receiving, and the following guide will break down this process and tell you what to expect:
Initial Consultation
This portion of the treatment will last one day, and the dentist will assess your teeth and mouth to determine if you are a suitable candidate for dental implants. They will complete a comprehensive oral exam to see if your mouth is healthy enough for an implant, and if your treatment is approved, they will schedule your implant surgery.
If bone grafting or tooth extraction is needed, however, this portion will take longer, and phase 1 can take anywhere from three to six months or possibly even longer. Bone grafting will be needed if a tooth has been missing for a long time because the placement of the artificial root will only be possible if you have enough bone.
This initial consultation is very important because a dentist will determine if any pre-treatment surgeries are required before a dental implant procedure. A bone graft can help restore your jawbone, whereas a tooth extraction will make room for an implant restoration. You will have to recover fully from these treatments to move on to the next phase, and your specific situation and the condition of your oral health will play a role in the amount of time it takes to recover from pre-treatment surgeries.
Implant Placement
If everything is deemed to be fine and you are ready for your implant, it will be placed about 1 to 2 weeks after your initial consultation. The dentist will rely on their treatment plan and place your implant directly into your gum and jawbone. Once done, the dentist will clean the area and stitch it shut to promote healing.
Healing And Recovery
The initial healing process will take 1 to 2 weeks; however, your implant must fully bond with your bone through osseointegration. It can take three to six months or even longer for the implant to become a natural part of your mouth.
The healing and recovery phase will depend on your case, but most patients will complete this process roughly in about 3 to 6 months.
Building the Implant Restoration
This phase will happen simultaneously while you recover from your implant placement, and you will need to come in for a few follow-up appointments with your dentist during your healing process. The dentist will take impressions and images of your gums, teeth and implant as your mouth heals and will use this information to build your implant restoration, which may include a dental crown.
Getting Your Abutment Placed
A week or two before your final appointment, you will need an abutment to be placed, which is what your permanent implant restoration will attach to. During this phase, the dentist will fold back the gum tissue from your appointment and place the abutment along with a temporary tooth to keep the gums from healing around it.
Your Final Implant Restoration
Roughly about 1 to 2 weeks after your abutment has been placed, you will come in for your final appointment, and the dentist will remove the temporary tooth and check your permanent implant-supported restoration to ensure it fits. They will then bond the final implant restoration into place permanently, which will take one day to complete the procedure.
Conclusion
Do you need more information regarding a dental implant procedure and how long it will take? Slipacoff Dental can provide details; you will receive all the answers you need when you schedule a consultation. We have been serving the Sarnia community for years and will assess your oral health to determine if any pre-treatment surgeries are required.