More than 500,000 Americans every year are investing in dental implants to replace their missing teeth. They are the most successful solution for tooth loss. A dental implant is unique from any other treatment because it replaces both the tooth root and the crown. As a result, replacing a tooth with a dental implant won’t happen overnight. The process occurs in several steps, beginning with your implant placement surgery. Here’s how long you can expect it to take.
Prepping for Dental Implant Surgery
Before your placement surgery, you’ll require a consultation with your dentist to ensure dental implants are right for you. They might find certain issues that will need treatment before your procedure. It’s not uncommon to need tooth extractions, gum disease treatment, or bone grafting. Your mouth must be healed before moving forward with your surgery.
Dental Implant Placement Surgery
Your implant dentist will use sedation or anesthesia to keep you comfortable when placing an implant post into your jawbone. Every situation differs, but it can take 1-2 hours to place a single implant. Your dentist will open your gum tissue to expose your bone. They’ll drill a small hole into your bone to place the implant, which will serve as a new tooth root. Don’t worry, you won’t feel anything during your placement surgery.
It can take a few hours for the effects of any medications to dissipate, so you’ll need someone to drive you home from your appointment. You will need to take it easy for 24-48 hours. Your dentist will review your aftercare instructions before you go home.
Recovering from Dental Implant Surgery
Your mouth will be sore for a few days, but you can manage it with a prescribed or OTC pain reliever. Applying a cold compress can reduce pain, inflammation, and bruising. You’ll need to follow a liquid diet for a couple of weeks.
Your gums will be healed in 1-2 weeks, but it will take a few months for your jawbone to integrate with your post. Your implant dentist will monitor your healing to determine when you can move on with the restoration phase of your treatment.
Abutments and Restoration
Every post will require an abutment, which is a special fixture to connect your implant to your restoration. Your dentist will use a numbing medication to open your gums to gain access to the post. They’ll also make an impression of your mouth to create your restoration. Your mouth will be healed in a week or two, just in time to have your restoration attached.
Your new smile can last for 30 years or longer with the right care, like brushing and flossing. It’s time well-spent to never have to worry about missing teeth again.
About Dr. George Salem
Dr. Salem achieved his dental degree from the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and has continued his training in dental implants and many other specialties. He strives to help each patient achieve their best smile using the latest innovations in dentistry. Request an appointment through his website or call his office at (781) 210-9220.