Dental implants are a fantastic way to restore missing teeth because they provide so many incredible advantages. For example, they’re the only restorative option that includes a titanium rod that’s inserted into your jawbone to keep it active and healthy. That said, it’s important to have a comprehensive understanding of how long the surgery takes so you can plan ahead. Keep reading to learn more about what to expect!
How Long Does It Take to Get Dental Implants?
Many patients are surprised to learn that they’ll receive their dental implant in stages and the amount of time it takes depends on your dental condition. Before getting started, you’ll have a consultation with your dentist who can provide an accurate estimate based on their findings.
They’ll need to verify that your jawbone is strong enough to maintain your dental implants and that there is no tooth decay or gum disease that could infect the surgical site. If they find areas of concern, those will need to be addressed first, which can increase your treatment timeline.
Some other factors that impact how long it takes are:
- Whether you have sufficient jawbone density to support dental implants.
- The number of dental implants being placed.
- The recovery period after extracting the unhealthy tooth.
- Whether the implants are being placed during the same visit as the extraction.
The surgery to place the implant into your jawbone can take anywhere from one to several hours, depending on your condition. Then, it takes several months for your bone to fuse with the titanium in a process known as osseointegration. In less complex cases, this happens in about 3 to 6 months.
If your dentist finds that you don’t have the necessary strength in your jaw to serve as a healthy foundation for your dental implants, however, another procedure may be required.
How Long Does Bone Grafting Take?
Some patients don’t have the right amount of jawbone density to support a dental implant. In these instances, a bone graft is needed to bulk up the jaw, first. This procedure takes a little over an hour to complete. Then, you’ll need to allow it to heal fully before your dentist can insert your dental implants, which can take several months. That means it can take up to 9 months to a year to finalize everything from start to finish.
Once your dental crown is placed, the process is complete, and you’ll have a beautiful false tooth (or several) to show for it. Soon you’ll be back on your feet and able to make the most of your newly restored smile!
About the Practice
At Salvaggio Dentistry, you’ll benefit from a team of experts who provide a wide range of services under one roof, including dental implants. They use digital imaging and impressions for accurate, long-lasting results while enhancing patient comfort. Plus, with state-of-the-art technology onsite, they can perform each step of the implant process to minimize the need for outside referrals. If you’re considering this treatment and would like a consultation, you’re welcome to request an appointment on the website or by calling (289) 569-0721.