Dental Implant Timeline
December 19, 2016
The thought of getting a dental implant might make some people nervous, but there are many benefits to undergoing such a procedure. Implants can be cared for the same way as your natural teeth, and the embedding of a titanium post in the jawbone helps to keep the bone from deteriorating over time. There are many factors that determine how long it will take to surgically place an implant, and it can vary from person to person. Here are a few variations of the traditional dental implant timeline.
Short Timeline for Few Implants
All implant procedures start with an evaluation. If you have a few implants, you may opt for immediate treatment. This is completed in one or two visits. Our office and Dr. Kathryn E. Ryan assess and prepare you for treatment. We help you be as comfortable as possible as we place the post and load the teeth. Immediate implants do not require as much time to heal and can be used right away.
Bone Grafting
If there has been significant deterioration of the gums and jawbone, then you might require a bone graft. This is an additional surgical procedure that requires time to heal before the implants can be surgically placed. If you do need bone grafting, your timeline is more likely to look like this:
- Evaluation
- Bone Graft
- Wait Four to Six Months
- Place the Implants
Longer for Multiple Implants
In cases where extreme care and observation is necessary, the process may take longer, especially if there are multiple implants to place. In such cases, the timeline is more likely to look like this:
- Evaluation
- Bone Graft
- Wait Four to Six Months
- Place First Set of Implants
- Wait Four to Six Months
- Place Other Implants
How short or long your actual dental implant timeline is depends on the condition of your mouth and the number of implants required. Implants are not always the ideal solution for every individual. Consult with Dr. Ryan to find out if you are a candidate for this procedure. Contact our office to schedule an appointment today.