Do You Have Missing Teeth?

Have you been considering a permanent solution to your missing teeth? Have you recently considered getting dental implants? Have you also wondered what to expect the process of getting dental implants by look like and how long will the whole procedure take? Dental Implants are one of the fastest-growing solutions to replacing missing teeth. Dr. Sajadi MS DDS is a board-certified periodontist and has extensive experience and training in performing these surgically implanted support posts that are designed to hold a replacement tooth in place using your own jaw bone as the anchor of support. Patient’s often find that the timeline of a dental implant can be confusing which is why we have created this article to help you navigate this issue and have a firm understanding of the dental implant process.

How Long Does a Dental Implant Take?

The most important thing to understand when determining how long the dental implant procedure process will take includes multiple factors:

1. The number of teeth involved

2. Your oral health

3. If you require a tooth extraction before the implant can be placed

4. Which teeth you are going to have replaced

The whole process of getting a dental implant to the final restorative procedure for placing the implant crown can take many months and spans multiple phases which we will outline below.

Phase One

1. If you have a tooth in the place that an implant will be placed extraction will naturally occur first but your periodontist can place the implant at the same time as the extraction. The process of placing an implant typically can occur in about an hour or less depending on if extraction has to occur beforehand.

2. The periodontist will numb your mouth with local anesthesia for the extraction and surgical implant placement. 

3. An incision in your gums will be made to expose the bone underneath.

4. A specialized drill is then used to create a space in the bone for the implant.

5. The implant is placed within the bone structure and the gums are closed over the gums with one to two stitches.

6. At this same time a bone graft and healing membrane may be placed in those patients that do not have an optimal bone density within the area of placement that aids in healing and a better attachment to the bone for maximum strength.

7. The implant will then become securely attached to the bone over the next several months.

Phase Two

1. Often called the Second Stage in many treatment plans if where the Periodontist will re-expose the dental implant. This involves another small incision in the gums directly above the implant placement.

2. A small extension is then placed on the implant to take an impression. The lab will use this to make a new crown (tooth) that looks the correct shade and will look natural alongside your remaining teeth.

3. The dentist will then place your new crown on top of the abutment which connects the dental implant to the crown. 

While many dentists claim that dental implants are fast, the recovery time or process isn’t always discussed as thoroughly as it should be. Each patient is unique and will recover at different times. If you are ready to move forward in your life with a permanent solution to missing teeth that allows you the comfort and freedom to eat everything you have in the past without worry a dental implant may be the option for you. Call today for a consultation with a board-certified Periodontist who will take the time to discuss the entire process of a dental implant from start to finish and answer all your questions.