Patients often have numerous questions about the dental implant process: how long it takes, when it will heal, how much it costs, and more. Asking these questions is beneficial for understanding what to expect. Dental implants offer a brilliant solution for tooth loss and damaged teeth, as they closely resemble and function like natural teeth.
In this blog, we will guide you through the process of ‘How long does it take to get dental implants?” Therefore, you’ll have all the necessary information to make an informed decision.
Dental Implant Timeline
We’ll take you through the dental implant process step by step. However, the dental implant timeline varies based on an individual’s situation and typically consists of multiple stages, lasting several months to complete.
Evaluation: The procedure begins with a dentist’s appointment. They review your medical history and assess your suitability for the surgery. This evaluation might include examining your bone health, density, oral health and overall well-being through X-rays, CT scans and a discussion outlining a treatment plan.
Tooth Extraction: A tooth extraction can vary the implant timeline due to the healing period, usually by a few weeks. If your teeth are decayed and likely to fall out, they will need removal to create space for the tooth implant to initiate the process.
Bone Grafting: The implant timeline can vary with a bone graft. In certain situations, bone grafting may be necessary to enhance bone density. Adequate and healthy bone density is crucial to support dental implants. A bone graft can extend the overall healing time by several months.
Implant Placement: The implant surgery itself typically takes 1 to 2 hours per implant. As the number of implants increases, so does the duration. You might be curious about, “How long for implant to heal before crown?” Following the completion of tooth implants, it takes 3 to 6 months for the healing process to conclude before proceeding with the crown (artificial tooth) placement.
Artificial Tooth Placement: Once the implant has fused with the jawbone during the recovery process, the artificial tooth placement begins. A connector (abutment) is attached to the implant. Once the gum tissue around the abutment has healed, the final step involves placing a custom artificial tooth (crown, denture, or bridge) onto the abutment. Achieving the proper fit and desired results may require a few additional weeks until the patient is satisfied with the outcome.
The entire procedure spans between 6 to 9 months, from the evaluation to the initial implant surgery and crown placement. If additional procedures such as bone grafting and tooth extraction are necessary, the timeline can vary. However, it’s important to note that every person’s healing period is different and relies on factors like their medical history, bone health, and adherence to aftercare instructions.
Conclusion
There’s no concrete answer to the question, ‘How long does it take to get dental implants?’ The dental implant timeline ranges from several months to a whole year. depending on any additional procedures. However, this detailed procedure is key to ensuring implant success and desired results.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long do you go without teeth when getting implants?
The duration without teeth during the implant process varies. It could involve immediate implant placement with temporary teeth placement until the final crown placement or waiting without teeth during the implant healing phase. This option depends on individual factors such as bone density, healing ability, and the severity of your case.
- How many visits for dental implant?
The total number of visits for dental implants can differ from several to multiple visits, depending upon the complexity of your case. Your dentist will outline the treatment plan and necessary scheduled appointments.
- Is uncovering dental implants painful?
Uncovering dental implants is the second part of the surgery. It’s generally not painful as it occurs after the healing period when the implant has integrated with your jawbone. You might experience some soreness or discomfort afterwards, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers as recommended by your dentist.
