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If you’re considering tooth extraction and implant placement, you might wonder about the timeline. The implant timelines for replacing missing teeth depend on numerous factors, such as the timeline from tooth extraction to dental implant surgery and from implant placement to dental implant restoration. The timeline can vary significantly based on your specific dental health, condition, and goals. Some dental implant processes necessitate bone graft for dental implants, some allow same-day dental implant placements, and some necessitate waiting for several months. Your dental implant dentist will curate the ideal dental implant treatment plan after thoroughly evaluating your needs and concerns.
Dental implants are essentially replacements for the root structures of missing teeth — not the visible crowns. They’re made of ceramic or titanium and drilled into the jawbone underneath the empty socket of the missing teeth. Over time, the body initiates an osseointegration process to fuse the dental implant structure with the surrounding bone tissues, making the implant a firmly rooted part of your dental anatomy. The dental implant supports a dental crown or full arch of dentures, offering a firm and stable base for your replacement teeth. Dental implants imitate the same functionality, form, and aesthetics as natural teeth, and they restore complete bite force.
This article highlights the various factors that determine the tooth extraction and implant timelines for replacing missing teeth — from tooth extraction to implant placement and from implant placement to dental implant restoration.
From Tooth Extraction To Implant Placement
If you’re undergoing dental implant surgery after tooth extraction, the timeline of the complete journey will depend on the tooth extraction. After tooth extraction, the dental implant surgeon may place the dental implant immediately. But, in some cases, you may need a bone graft for dental implants, following which you will receive the dental implant after a few weeks or even months. Below, we highlight the various timelines for implant placement after tooth extraction.
Option 1: Immediate Placement Of Implant After Tooth Extraction
In most cases, the dental implant is placed immediately after tooth extraction — only one surgery. The problem will immediate dental implant placement is that the surrounding region might not have the ideal condition for implant placement — the surrounding bone tissue may need time to heal. This ensures immediate implant placement.
Option 2: Early Placement After Gingival Healing Of A Few Weeks
In some cases, the dental implant is placed after the tooth extraction site, and the surrounding soft tissues can heal for a few weeks. If the implant is placed after gingival healing, it’s protected by gum tissue, which minimizes the risk of infections and ensures more consistent and aesthetic results. In this case, the implant will be placed 4 to 8 weeks after tooth extraction.
Option 3: Placement Of Dental Implant After Bone Grafting
If you have insufficient jawbone tissues at the implant site, the dental implant dentist may need to perform a bone graft for dental implants. The dental implant dentist will place the bone grafting material in the empty socket, catalyzing the body’s innate bone regeneration capabilities. Once you have sufficient jawbone, the dental implant is placed, ensuring a more stable connection with the body. This process can take 2 to 4 months.
From Implant Placement To New Teeth
After implant placement, you have another set of timelines for your new teeth. In some cases, the dental implant dentist can place the dental crown or restoration immediately after the implant surgery. In most cases, you have to wait for a few months until your mouth is prepared for dental implant restoration. We highlight the timeline from implant placement to new teeth.
Option 1: Immediate Loading Of Dental Implants
If you need to replace one tooth, the dental implant surgeon may attach a temporary crown immediately after the procedure. However, the crown will be fabricated to avoid biting contact with the opposite tooth to minimize friction so that the osseointegration process isn’t disturbed. After a few months, you will receive permanent dental implant restoration.
Option 2: Prosthetic placement after osseointegration
In most cases, dental implant dentists leave the implant site without a dental restoration for a few months. The osseointegration process usually takes a few months and must continue undisturbed. Dental implant dentists place the final dental implant restoration after about 4 months to ensure optimal healing and stability.
Other Faqs About Tooth Extraction And Implants:
When Should A Tooth Be Extracted And Replaced With A Dental Implant?
A natural tooth is always the best type of tooth. While dental implants offer the same functionality and appearance as natural teeth, nothing beats the real deal. You should only proceed with tooth extractions when the affected tooth can’t be saved or if it places other teeth at risk.
How Soon Can You Get Implants After Having Teeth Pulled Out?
Some patients can get implants immediately after tooth extraction. But some are advised to wait for a few weeks or even months, depending on their gingival health, bone density, and other factors.
Can I Get A Dental Implant Years After Extraction?
You can get a dental implant years after tooth extraction. However, in that case, you may have suffered considerable bone resorption, so you may need bone grafts for dental implants, which will extend the timeline of the dental implant process.
How Long Does A Dental Implant Process Take?
The specific length of the dental implant process depends on numerous factors, such as whether you need a dental extraction, bone grafts for dental implants, your bone density, gingival health, and numerous other factors.
Conclusion
The tooth extraction and implant timeline for replacing missing teeth will vary depending on your situation. The timeline may be shorter If you have a healthy mouth and enough bone to support an implant. However, if you have periodontal disease or other dental problems. The first step in the tooth extraction and implant timeline is to have a consultation with your dentist. If you’re looking for tooth extraction and implant placement, please visit our dental office in Uptown Houston, Midtown Houston, or Montrose. Please schedule an appointment to explore your treatment options in Houston.