How Much Time Is Required for Dental Implant Treatment?
People seek dental implants for various reasons. Some may need implants to replace missing teeth they substituted with dentures. Others seek dental implants to replace extracted or lost teeth due to injuries or accidents.
Sometimes dental implants are embedded immediately after tooth extractions. The duration of treatment differs between patients and depends on the implant procedure. The number of implants placed, the placement location in the mouth, and other procedures like bone grafting also affect the overall treatment time.
Several factors are responsible for the timeframe for placing a dental implant. Single dental implant placements will require 30 minutes, and multiple implants will require more time. However, it helps to remember the entire procedure, from dental implant placement to getting the artificial teeth, will require several months.
If you had tooth extractions because of gum disease, the dentist near me advises you to wait for a few months to clear the infection before dental implant placement. In addition, if you need bone grafting before receiving dental implants near me, the treatment timeline can increase by several months.
Stages of the Dental Implant Procedure with Timescales
Dental implant placement is typically a two-stage process. Following your consultation and initial therapy like extractions or bone grafting, the dentist at Ellicott City embeds a biocompatible titanium post in the empty void between your teeth. The titanium post replaces your missing tooth root and remains hidden beneath your gums. Any sutures inserted after the surgery dissolve in two weeks. In addition, the dentist may also attach an abutment over the implant during the first stage. Getting an abutment attached during dental implant surgery prevents the need for an additional procedure after your jawbone integrates with the implant to make it part of your body.
Dental Implant Healing Process
Getting dental implants for replacing missing teeth from the Ellicott City dentist does not complete the procedure because you must allow the implanted titanium post to integrate with your jawbone in an osseointegration process, requiring three to six months or more, depending on your general health. If you received dental implants in the upper jaw, the healing time lengthens because of softer bone in contrast to the stronger bone in the lower jaw that helps speed healing.
During your recovery, you must visit the Ellicott City dentist to monitor the dental implant placement site. After completing osseointegration, the dentist will attach an abutment if you did not receive it during the initial phase. You will require another two weeks to heal from the abutment attachment before you revisit the dentist to provide measurements for fabricating your artificial teeth.
Occasionally you can receive artificial teeth soon after dental implant placement. The artificial teeth are purely for aesthetics and are temporary. However, they give your gums maturity time around each implant, especially if you have lost anterior teeth. However, if you do not receive temporary artificial teeth, the dentist takes measurements of your mouth and the empty void to have customized dental crowns explicitly created by a dental laboratory using dental-grade porcelain to resemble your natural teeth.
Sometimes you receive a prototype of the teeth planned during your consultation, making them temporary options. The prototypes enable the dentist to monitor the implants and determine when it is ready to restore your missing tooth permanently.
You can receive your final replacement teeth six to nine months after dental implant placement. The dentist ensures your permanent replacement teeth fit correctly, match your remaining teeth, and do not cause discomfort.
What after Receiving Permanent Artificial Teeth?
After receiving your replacement teeth, you cannot assume artificial teeth are not vulnerable to tooth decay or dental infections. Your mouth bacteria will not cause cavities on the artificial teeth. However, they undoubtedly accumulate dental plaque in and around your natural and implanted teeth. Dental plaque encourages gum disease in your mouth to weaken your jawbone and cause dental implant failure.
Fortunately, caring for your implanted teeth is not different from maintaining excellent dental hygiene by brushing twice daily using a soft-bristled toothbrush, flossing once between your teeth to eliminate food particles and plaque, and getting exams and cleanings at six monthly intervals from your regular dentist.
The dental implant process is undoubtedly lengthy, requiring time and patience before receiving replacement teeth. However, implants ensure they remain in your jaw, and the artificial teeth restore your smile and mouth functionality. Therefore they are indeed worth the wait for the numerous benefits they offer for your dental and overall health.
Missing teeth replacement solutions like dental implants offered by Julian Center require patience and commitment if seeking substitutes for your lost teeth. If you consult the dental practice for the restorations, they will provide comprehensive guidelines on how long the treatment will require before receiving your artificial teeth. Therefore arrange a meeting with them today to start planning your treatment to receive dental implants for your missing teeth.