If you’re considering dental implants, one of your first questions may be, “How long does it take?” After all, dental implants are some type of investment in time and money; you’ll want to know what you’re getting yourself into before you start the process. In this article, we’ll break down the different stages involved in the implant process and give you an estimate of how long each usually takes.
What Are Dental Implants?
Before we go any further into the history of dental implants timeline, we will justify in brief what it is. Dental implants are a kind of substitute for missing teeth, installed surgically in the jawbones of patients. It consists of titanium posts that position into the bone, and a custom-made crown attaches to the post. Dental implants are a standard substitute for those who have lost one or more teeth because of some injury, decay, or any cause.
The Dental Implant Process
The procedure for a dental implant normally follows these steps:
Consultation
The consultation is the first step in a dental implant procedure. Your dentist will check your oral health at this stage and advise on whether dental implants are the best option for you. They may take X-rays or other imaging tests to have a closer view of your jawbone and see if it’s strong enough to hold the implant.
Implant Placement
Once your dentist determines that you’re a good candidate for dental implants, they’ll book an appointment to place the implant. Normally, this involves making a small incision in your gum tissue and then drilling a hole within your jawbone. The implant is placed inside the hole, and the gum tissue is closed with stitches.
Healing
After the implant is placed, allow it some time to heal and integrate with the jawbone. This step may take an average of a few months and is called osseointegration. While this process is underway, one should avoid applying pressure on the implant and follow your dentist’s instructions regarding the implant site care.
Abutment Placement
Once this implant has fully fused with the jawbone, your dentist will book a second appointment for setting the abutment. This is a small metal post that protrudes from the implant and connects it with the crown. In most cases, the abutment is fitted using local anesthesia, and the gum tissue is allowed to heal around it for a few weeks.
Crown Placement
Finally, a dentist will attach a custom-made crown onto the abutment after healing is complete. Crowns are of measured size, shape, and color to blend with surrounding teeth and become discreet in the mouth.
How Long Does the Implant Process Take?
The length of time for a dental implant process may vary because of many factors, which include:
- The number of teeth being replaced
- The condition of your jawbone
- Whether you need any preparatory procedures, such as bone grafting
- Your overall oral health
At the very least, dental implant treatment generally takes a few months. This can be broken down into the following approximate timeline for each stage of the process:
- Consultation: 1 hour
- Implant placement: 1-2 hours
- Healing: 3-6 months
- Abutment placement: 30 minutes
- Crown placement: 1 hour
Therefore, for the whole procedure, you are looking at anywhere from 6 months to a year or more—really depending on your case.
Though the procedure is pretty long, for most, the end justifies these means. Dental implants offer durability and longevity as a solution to missing teeth and will help improve your oral health while boosting your confidence. If you’re considering dental implants, discuss with your dentist how it works and what you can expect.
