More than 500,000 Americans every year are investing in dental implants to replace their lost teeth. They offer reliable results with over a 95% success rate. A dental implant is unlike any other tooth prosthetic because it replaces both the root and the crown. As a result, you’ll require oral surgery to insert your post in your jaw. Here’s how long you can expect the process to take.
How Dental Implants Work
Traditional tooth prosthetics only replace the portion above the gum tissue, whereas a dental implant replicates the entire structure. A titanium implant post is placed in your jawbone to serve as a new tooth root. Your bone must fuse with the implant. After your bone has healed, an abutment is placed on the post to connect your custom-made restoration.
The Dental Implant Process
The process of replacing lost teeth with dental implants does not happen overnight. It occurs in various stages, which can take many months to complete. Here’s what the average timeline looks like when getting dental implants:
Consultation & Preparation
You’ll require a consultation with a dentist to ensure dental implants are right for you. While examining your mouth, they may discover that you need a little prep work before your placement surgery. It’s not uncommon to require tooth extractions, gum disease therapy, or bone grafting before getting dental implants. Your mouth must be healed before moving forward.
Implant Surgery
Sedation or anesthesia will be used to keep you comfortable as your dentist opens your gum tissue to create a small hole in your jaw. The post is inserted into the hole and your gums are sutured closed. The entire process takes 1 to 2 hours for a single implant. The number of teeth you are replacing will determine how many posts you will need and how long your procedure will take.
Osseointegration
After your placement surgery, your jaw will integrate with the post through a process called osseointegration. This can take many weeks, but is necessary to ensure the success of the procedure. Once your bone has healed, you’ll move on to the restoration phase of your treatment.
Restoration
You’ll require a minor procedure to place an abutment on your post. Your dentist will also make an impression of your mouth to create your restoration. It can take the dental lab a couple of weeks to fabricate it. During this time, your gums will heal around the abutment to protect your bone and underlying structures from bacteria. You’ll return to your dentist to have your restoration placed on your abutment.
When it’s all said and done, your dental implant can last for 30 years or longer. Although it might take a few months to complete your treatment, it’s time well-spent to enjoy the next best thing to your real teeth.
About Dr. Fariba Edalat
Dr. Edalat earned her dental degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago and has continued her education in many advanced procedures, including dental implants. She provides the latest treatments and techniques to allow each patient to achieve their best smile. Request an appointment through her website or call her office at (973) 419-6906.