If you’re planning on getting dental implants, you’re likely eager to get the process started so you can begin enjoying all the amazing benefits of your restored teeth. But not so fast! If you need teeth removed to make room for your restorations, you may need to wait a little longer for your mouth to heal before your implant can be placed.
While good things are coming, you don’t want to rush the process and cause any complications with your dental implants. Here’s a general timeline for how long you’ll need to wait after extraction before you can receive your new prosthetics.
Implants After Injury
One reason you may need a dental implant is following tooth damage due to an accident or injury. If this happens, you may be able to receive your dental implant as soon as the tooth is extracted, however, this will depend on the condition of your jaw and gums. Provided everything is in good health, you’ll likely be able to get your implant immediately.
Implants After Extraction
Under normal oral health conditions, you will likely still need to wait for about ten weeks to get your dental implants following extraction. This is because your jaw and gums will need to heal from the removal procedure before they are ready to accept them. Once this healing is completed, your dentist will schedule your procedure.
Implants After Bone Grafting
If you have advanced periodontal disease or have been missing teeth for a long enough period that you have experienced bone degradation in your jaw, you may require a bone graft procedure in order for it to be strong enough to accept dental implants. These surgeries require around six months of healing before your dentist can introduce an implant successfully.
Healing from Dental Implants
Once you have received your implants, you can expect the initial healing phase to take about seven to ten days. By this time, your gums will stop bleeding, and your mouth will begin to feel much better, however the time it takes for the implant to successfully integrate into your jawbone will take an additional three to six months. Thus, the entire healing process for dental implants can take up to a year or more, depending on your individual situation and which procedures you need.
Remember, the dental implant process takes time, but it is worth the wait. Hang in there! With a little patience and persistence, you’ll soon have a beautiful, healthy, functional smile that you can share with the world.
About Dr. Lee
An avid outdoorsman and Ohio native, Dr. Jeff Lee has extensive training in oral surgery and dental implantology. He is a part-time faculty member in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, and a Navy veteran who has participated in numerous research projects on the topic of implant dentistry.
To schedule an appointment for dental implants at Muskingum Valley Oral Surgery, please visit our website or call us today at 740-236-9392.