Have you lost confidence in your smile? Dental implants can restore the diminished confidence caused by tooth loss or injury. They offer a natural-looking and comfortable alternative to traditional bridges and dentures.
So how long does a tooth implant take? The dental implant procedure typically involves a consultation, a surgery to insert the implant, a procedure to place the abutment, and a final visit to get your crown, bridge, or denture. The timeline varies due to differences in rates of healing and the necessity for additional procedures.
How Long Does a Tooth Implant Take: The Dental Implant Procedure
To understand how long a tooth implant takes, you need to know the stages of the procedure. Getting dental implants involves a series of procedures that allow the body adequate recovery time to improve the stability and function of the implant. The implant surgery and recovery period create a strong, stable platform to support your new tooth. Placement of the abutment allows your dentist to attach your permanent restorative device.
Developing a Treatment Plan
During your initial consultation, your dentist will take a thorough medical history, conduct a physical exam, and take a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan to build a virtual 3D model of your teeth, jaws, and sinuses. This model helps your dentist plan an appropriate course of treatment to ensure you get the best results.
For some patients, the CBCT might show something that could affect the timeline. You might require a bone graft if you lack adequate bone width or depth to support dental implants. You might need a sinus lift if your sinus has collapsed into your upper jaw due to bone loss. These procedures might require three to nine months or more of recovery time before you can proceed with the dental implant procedure.
Implant Surgery
Dental implants consist of an implant post that functions like the missing tooth root, a connecting abutment, and a restoration that allows your teeth to function normally.
Your dentist begins the process by administering a local anaesthetic. If you suffer from dental anxiety or are receiving multiple implants, No Gaps Dental offers IV sedation to ensure your comfort. This medication places you in a calm state; you’ll be conscious and able to respond to your dentist, but you’ll feel deeply relaxed.
Your dentist opens your gum to expose the underlying bone, drills a small hole and inserts the post before suturing your gum closed.
Most dental implants integrate with the surrounding bone in four to six months. Some conditions and activities may increase your healing timeline, including diabetes, poor circulation, and smoking. To prevent infection while healing, wash your hands with soap and water or use a hand sanitiser before eating, performing oral hygiene, or touching your mouth.
Our highly qualified dental professionals perform these procedures in sanitised surgery suites. Our staff uses hand sanitiser when entering and exiting patient care areas to ensure your safety.
Placing the Abutment
This step in the dental implant procedure involves the placement of an abutment or piece of connection hardware on your implant. Your dentist will reopen your gum, screw the abutment into the post, and close your gum around the abutment. Patients usually heal from this procedure within two weeks.
Your dentist might take a 3D scan of your mouth to design a permanent crown or other restoration that perfectly blends with your existing teeth. You might also receive a temporary restoration at this time.
Receiving Your Restoration
You will get your permanent restoration as part of the dental implant procedure at your final appointment. The crown, bridge, or denture will blend in with your surrounding teeth and increase your confidence in your smile. You will be able to eat, drink, and speak normally and without the discomfort of traditional dentures.
This process usually takes six to twelve months, barring complications or additional procedures. It provides a permanent, aesthetically pleasing solution for damaged or missing teeth.
Advantages of Dental Implants Over Other Restorative Dentistry Options
Although dental implants have a higher upfront cost and longer treatment time than most other tooth replacement options, they also offer numerous advantages, including:
Comfort
The dental implant post is surgically embedded in your jaw and fuses with your body. This offers unparalleled stability and improves comfort compared with dentures or bridges, which can slip or shift in your mouth due to bone resorption over time.
Convenience
Dental implants act like natural teeth, so you can brush and floss them normally. Dentures and bridges often need to be removed for cleaning or require specialised cleaning solutions and tools.
With dental implants, there is no need to modify your diet. Your implants can withstand similar bite forces to your natural teeth, reaching over 570 N of pressure. This means you can enjoy your favourite foods, from steak to crunchy vegetables to nuts.
Permanence
Dental implants offer a long-lasting solution for missing teeth. The metal implant post is designed to last a lifetime, while the restoration has a 15 to 20-year lifespan before it needs replacing.
Visit No Gaps Dental for High-Quality Dental Implants
If you have missing teeth, contact No Gaps Dental at one of our 15 Sydney locations. Our experienced dental team can develop a treatment plan and discuss how long a tooth implant takes and what to expect from surgery.
For your safety, we ensure all waiting areas and exam rooms are sanitised between patients and equipped with a hand sanitiser to prevent disease transmission. At No Gaps Dental, we protect your oral and general health. Call us on (02) 8007 6727 today.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
Dental implant procedure
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dental-implant
Dental implants
https://www.teeth.org.au/dental-implants
How Long Does A Dental Implant Procedure Take?
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CT scans – information for dental practitioners and their patients
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/ct-scans-for-dental-practitioners