Dental implants are one of the most popular tooth replacement procedures in Palm Beach Gardens. And if you’re like most patients, then you’re likely wondering how long the process takes.
Looking online doesn’t always give a clear answer. Some people claim they were done with their implant placement process in just 4 months, while others complain it took a year or longer.
Check out the dental implant timeline laid out below by the Intercoastal Dental team.
Dental implants in Palm Beach Gardens are used to replace teeth that have been missing for a while, but sometimes the tooth in question isn’t missing, just badly damaged.
In this case, you’ll need to factor in the time it takes to heal after tooth extraction. On average, it can take a few weeks for your mouth to fully heal after getting a tooth pulled.
Here are the healing stages:
Inflammation: First 3–4 days after an extraction, where the most post-up symptoms like pain and swelling are present;
Repair: The damaged bone and tissue around the socket begin to heal, which can take around 6 weeks;
Remodeling: The body remodels the bone around the socket, which can also take around 4 weeks extra.
Every patient’s different, but the body usually needs around 10 weeks to heal after tooth extraction.
After the tooth extraction heals, you can expect the following steps:
Implant surgery: The surgery is usually done in just a couple of hours. The dentist makes a small incision into your gum and surgically inserts the metal post into the jawbone.
Osseointegration: After surgery, the body begins to heal around the implant in a process called osseointegration. It can usually take around 6 months or so, and by the end, all the tissues will fuse to the metal post, just like they would to a natural tooth’s root.
Abutment placement: once the body fully heals, the dentist will add the abutment and take an impression to make a custom dental crown. You may get a temporary crown placed on top.
Crown placement: It can take an additional 1-2 weeks to make a custom crown. Once it’s ready, the dentist will attach it to the abutment and ask you to close your mouth to see if the crown needs any more modifications. If it doesn’t, it’s permanently attached, and the procedure is complete.
Overall, the extraction and implant placement process can take around one year or more, depending on how fast your body heals.
It’s a slow process, but that’s the secret to its success. If any of the steps take place when the body isn’t fully recovered, it can increase the risk of implant failure.
Don't let missing teeth hold you back any longer. Take the first step towards a confident and healthy smile by requesting a visit to Intercoastal Dental online. Our friendly team will be happy to assist you in scheduling your consultation with Dr. Alex Gaeta.
Call our office today at (561) 401-0532. or request a visit to Intercoastal Dental online.
