How Long Does It Take to Get Dental Implants?

If you’ve done your research on getting dental implants, you’ve probably read all about the actual procedure from bone grafting to the final abutment being placed. But with all that goes into a dental implant procedure, the unanswered question is often, “But how long will it all take?”

The short answer? It depends.

In some cases, especially for a single tooth replacement for a patient with a healthy mouth, it can take a single day. But if you’re dealing with tooth decay, gum disease, or years spent wearing dentures, your dental implant path may take longer.

Here’s what you need to know.

Scheduling a Consultation

Before a dental implant procedure can begin, you need to talk to your dentist and have an evaluation done. Your consultation will likely include an oral exam, a 3D CT Scan, X-Rays, jaw relation records, impressions, and photos. This is used to assess your situation and create a plan of action tailored to your situation. Think of it as the first appointment in your journey to a better smile and a healthier mouth.

Factors that Increase the Time and Scope

There are several factors that could make your dental implant process take a little longer. These will likely be discussed in your initial consultation. Everyone is different so the exact amount of time it takes is unique to you.

Removing teeth: If you’re replacing a tooth or teeth that need to come out that procedure will need to be done first. There may be an additional healing time required that requires you to wait longer for the next step in your dental implant procedure.

Bone grafting: It’s entirely normal for patients who have had missing teeth for a while to also have bone loss in their jaw. If this is your situation, you’ll need to have a bone graft done to strengthen the area. Some people can have their implants placed very quickly after a bone graft but others may need as long as three to four months to heal.

Gum health: For patients whose dental problems stem from tooth decay or gum disease, these oral health issues will need to be corrected and healed first. This will be discussed in your consultation, and depending on the severity, it could take another three to four months to restore your gum health. To make sure you get better as quickly as possible, work closely with your dentist and follow their advice carefully.

The Implant Placement

When it’s time to get your dental implants, the first step is to place the titanium rod that will act as the “root” for your tooth. This is usually done in a single appointment and can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to place each individual implant. In some cases the abutment can be placed at the same time. As this is a form of dental surgery, you’ll sleep peacefully through it all and wake up when it’s over.

Once the implants are in, it’s time to let your body heal. It can take anywhere from three months up to six months for the surrounding bone to fuse to the implant known as osseointegration. During this time, you’ll have a temporary crown while your permanent crowns are being made. You’ll walk out of the office with a better smile, and only you will know it’s not permanent yet.

Slow Healing

All of the time estimates here are averages. Some patients are fast healers and won’t need as much time, but others are not. Some conditions can slow down the healing process making your dental implant journey a bit longer.

• Weight
• Age
• Nutrition
• Smoking
• Medications you take
• Health conditions like diabetes
• Chronic stress

Talk to your dentist during your consultation to find out what you need to know based on your specific situation.

Conclusion

Here at Dental Brothers, we offer a variety of dental implant options to fit the individual needs of our dental patients in Mesa or Phoenix. When we can do a same-day dental implant placement, we will. But if you need more time to heal your gums, remove decaying teeth, or have a bone graft, we take our time to make sure you have the best chance of success with your dental implants.