Maybe you’re looking forward to eating a nice juicy steak, or maybe you’re wanting to restore your smile as soon as possible for your Instagram reel. Either way, waiting for a dental implant replacement can be hard! If you’ve had a tooth extraction, you’re probably anxious to know when you can schedule your treatment.
It turns out that predicting a timetable isn’t as simple as saying “within two to three months!” However, like you, your dentist will want to proceed with a placement as soon as possible. Keep reading to get the details.
Why Both You and Your Dentist Want an ASAP Placement
It’s in your best interest to receive dental implant treatment as soon as possible once you’ve had a tooth extracted. When you lose a tooth, the part of your jawbone that used to support it will recede. This can cause your teeth to shift, ultimately leading to further tooth loss and cosmetic headaches. Plus, you need a certain amount of jawbone mass to be considered a good candidate for dental implants!
Your dentist is aware of this. Fortunately, they have some tricks for keeping your oral health on track, such as bone grafting. So don’t throw your plans out the window if this happens!
Early Dental Implant Placement
A two to three month wait time is common for patients that need to let their mouth heal before they can get their implants after tooth extraction. This could be due to an infection or damage to your oral tissue. Your dentist will do what they can to proceed with placement closer to two months after extraction, but it’s important that your mouth is able to hold your implants. Otherwise, the treatment could fail, and you’ll have to return to your dentist.
Delayed Dental Implant Placement
If your jawbone has significantly receded, you’ll likely need a bone graft to add some mass. In this case, you’ll have to hang on for three to six months. The range is rather wide because it involves your bone graft recovery time, which will depend on the extent of your bone loss and how quickly your mouth heals. However, as you might already know, your implants will last for decades to come, making them worth the delay!
After Dental Implant Placement
Don’t pull your hair out, but after you receive your implant, you’ll have to wait another three to six months to fully enjoy it. Part of this is giving your mouth plenty of time to recover. The other part, though, is waiting for your jawbone to integrate with the implant. This integration process is what makes dental implants so strong and durable. Once it’s complete, those implants aren’t going anywhere!
No one will deny that getting dental implants can feel like a tedious, drawn-out process. Keep your eyes on the prize: you’ll be able to eat what you want, be primed for improved oral health, and feel more confident knowing that your pearly whites are secure. Your dentist might also have tips for promoting smooth recovery times, so if the impatience is eating away at you, don’t be afraid to call them!
About the Practice
Our team of experienced dentists at Brown, Reynolds, Snow, LeNoir Dentistry love helping patients meet their smile goals. They believe that each patient is unique and would be happy to consult with you about your best fit dental implant plan. You can contact 804-288-5324 to schedule an appointment or explore our website for a full list of services.