Dental implants are an excellent tooth-replacement option that performs the function of a natural tooth, supporting your jaw health and restoring confidence in your ability to eat and speak normally. However, the healing process for dental implants is lengthy and can be intimidating for those considering dental implant surgery. So how long do dental implants take to heal?
Everyone’s experience is slightly different, but the time from the dental implant procedure to being fully recovered typically takes anywhere from four to nine months.
To get an accurate idea of how long the dental implant procedure takes from start to finish, you should consult your dentist. They will assess your suitability for dental implants based on your oral health and jawbone density. After creating a treatment plan for you, your dentist can provide further information about dental implant surgery, including post-dental implant surgery aftercare.
What is the Dental Implant Procedure?
People who need dental implants may have lost one or more teeth due to an oral injury, gum disease, or tooth decay. A dental implant is a tiny screw-like metal rod inserted into the jawbone as an artificial tooth root. An abutment is a connector between the implant rod and your artificial tooth.
A dental crown is affixed to the rod to close the gap left by the missing tooth. The crown is customised for a tooth’s size, shape, and colour.
A dental implant procedure involves at least two surgeries, a tooth fitting, and several visits to your dentist.
Initial Consultation
When you meet with your dentist, they will examine your teeth to assess your oral health. If your bone and teeth are in good condition and you have no other concerns regarding your oral hygiene, the dentist can recommend dental implant surgery.
In some cases, if your dentist determines your jawbone is not dense enough to support the implant, you may require a bone graft procedure before the placement of a dental implant.
Dental Implant Surgery
If your dentist determines you are a candidate for dental implants, they will schedule you for dental implant surgery after evaluating your mouth. Dental implant surgery strictly refers to the first part of the process where your dentist places the titanium implant post into your gums and jaw.
They do this by making an incision in your gums and drilling into the jawbone. You may be under local anaesthesia for the procedure, or you can talk to your dentist about IV sedation if you are experiencing anxiety about the surgery.
After the implant is in place, your gums are sutured, and the healing process begins.
Hand Hygiene During Dental Implant Procedures
According to ADA and international dental hygiene guidelines, the dentist and other dental staff must adhere to the five moments of hand hygiene to prevent virus transmission during all dental appointments. These include using hand sanitiser:
- Before patient contact
- Before clean/aseptic procedure
- After body fluid exposure risk
- After patient contact
- After touching patient surroundings
Alcohol-based hand sanitiser must be available to dentists and patients in the dental environment as the hand sanitiser offers rapid disinfection.
The team at No Gaps Dental takes hand hygiene very seriously and uses hand sanitiser at appropriate points throughout appointments, procedures, and other aspects of patient care. We maintain a high standard of cleanliness so you can feel safe, comfortable and focus on your oral health.
How Long Do Dental Implants Take to Heal?
Following your dental implant surgery, there is a lengthy healing process that must occur before you can proceed to the next stage of tooth replacement. The dental implant rod, which is typically made of titanium, has the unique ability to fuse with your jawbone in a process called osseointegration. Once the implant rod and the bone fuse together, it performs the function and has the strength of a natural tooth root.
Most people considering dental implants ask the question, ‘how long do dental implants take to heal?’ The incision at the implant site will heal within 1-2 weeks, depending on your overall health; however, osseointegration takes anywhere from 4-6 months after the dental implant procedure. Sometimes, recovery time for dental implant surgery is upwards of 8 months.
During the 3-9 months post-surgery, you will need to visit your dentist periodically for checkups to ensure the implant site is healing well. While you should limit strenuous physical activity immediately following the dental implant procedure, as you would after any surgery, you can return to life as normal for the remainder of the healing period, though you should be mindful of what you eat.
To allow the implant to heal properly, dentists typically recommend sticking to soft foods that you can eat with a fork or spoon during this time. Be sure to maintain your usual oral hygiene routine of brushing and flossing, but be gentle when cleaning around the implant site.
Your dentist will provide you with specific aftercare instructions following dental implant surgery, which you should follow closely for best results.
After Your Implants Heal
Once your dentist determines the implant has stabilised, it’s time for the next step in the implant process. You’ll return to the dentist for an abutment placement, which is a minor procedure. The dentist reopens your gum to expose the implant rod and attaches an abutment that connects your artificial tooth to the titanium post.
Your dentist will then take impressions of the site to fabricate a custom crown. At No Gaps Dental, we offer CEREC crowns milled on-site, which means you can have your artificial tooth placed the same day as digital scans of the implant site are taken.
Work With a Skilled Dentist
If wondering, ‘how long do dental implants take to heal?’ is holding you back from pursuing a dental implant procedure, the best course of action is to book a consultation with your dentist to discuss your jawbone health and what the timeline for implant surgery could look like for you.
To speed up the process, choose No Gaps Dental. We offer same-day crown placement with CEREC technology. To learn more about dental implants or book an appointment at one of our 15 locations across New South Wales, call us today on (02) 8806 0227.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.