As your dental implant specialist in 43725, we’ll be the first to tell you that dental implants take time. Sometimes, the entire process takes more than a year to complete. But the thing is, patients who choose implant dentistry will tell you it’s worth it for teeth that fit and feel just like they should.
Following the extraction of one or more teeth, you may have to wait a little bit for the placement of your dental implants. Successful implants require plenty of support from the jaw for successful anchoring. The amount of time you need to wait following the extraction depends on the strength of the jawbone. There are three timelines for the placement of dental implants following tooth extraction: immediate, early, and delayed implant placement. Dr. Lee, your implant dentist in Cambridge, can help you understand which is necessary for your unique case.
Immediate Dental Implant Placement
Sometimes it’s possible to place a dental implant in the very same day as the tooth extraction. Immediate dental implant placement is an option when the tooth that is removed is an incisor, a canine, or the teeth between your molars and canines (the premolars). If the surrounding bone is strong, healthy, and without infection, your oral surgeon will be able to perform implantation on the same day as extraction. This same-day placement significantly reduces the time it takes to receive your implant-retained tooth replacement.
Early Dental Implant Placement
For teeth with very wide roots, multi-rooted premolars, and molars with healthy surrounding bone, the dental implant placement should be delayed by two or three months. During this brief recovery period, the jawbone heals, restrengthening for a more successful dental implant placement and recovery. Early dental implant placement is the best option if for any reason immediate implantation seems too risky — it’s always better safe than sorry.
Delayed Dental Implant Placement
Sometimes, bone loss has already occurred due to gum disease or infection. Remember that dental implants require plenty of strong bone matter for successful anchoring. If you have already lost too much bone at the implantation site, a bone augmentation will be needed before you can receive your dental implants. Your dentist will remove the tooth, clean the area, then perform a bone graft to add healthy bone tissue in the implantation site. Bone grafting requires a recovery of five to six months, after which the dental implant can be placed.
Recovery Following Dental Implant Placement
Once your dental implant has been placed, the recovery time will depend on its location, your jaw, and your own health. Dental implants usually need two to six months to heal, gradually fusing with the jawbone in a process known as osseointegration. You will wear a temporary tooth replacement during this time. After osseointegration is complete, your dental implants are ready for the final restoration — when the crown or denture is secured on top.
Trust Your Oral Surgeon for Extraction and Implantation
Dr. Lee is a highly-qualified, experienced oral surgeon performing tooth extraction, bone grafts, and dental implant placement. For the best results, trust an expert with your dental implants. Contact Muskingum Valley Oral Surgery to schedule an appointment today!