You may have read conflicting answers to the question of how long does a dental implant procedure take. We’re here to set the record straight.
The answer is no one knows for sure!
In some cases, teeth can be extracted and replaced immediately with the ‘All-On-Four’ dental implants treatment. But this isn’t a treatment that’s suitable for everyone. A dentist that offers consultation will explain your options.
The length of the dental implant procedure varies from one individual to another and depends on various factors:
- The type of implant procedure
- The number of implants a patient needs
- The location in mouth; and
- Whether a bone graft is needed
The time taken to fit the implant and the replacement teeth also vary. It may take around 30 minutes to install a single implant, but naturally, multiple implants can take longer.
So, in answer to how long does the dental implant procedure take? All we can say with certainty is that it takes several months.
The dental implant procedure can take longer if the dentist extracts a tooth that is infected in the root or gum. They will want to wait a few months for the infection to clear before placing a dental implant in the gap.
In addition, if a patient doesn’t have sufficient bone in the jaw to support a dental implant, the dentist will have to perform a bone graft, which also adds time to the dental implant procedure.
So, let’s look at the stages involved in getting dental implants
Dental implants treatment usually involves two stages. Once the mouth has been prepared, the first stage of the dental implant procedure is surgery. The dentist places a titanium implant post into the bone beneath the gums. Eventually, this will act as a new tooth root.
Sometimes an abutment is attached to the implant post simultaneously, eliminating the need for a further surgical appointment to expose the bone later.
Following surgery, patients must wait for their gums to heal and their dental implants to fuse (osseointegrate) with the surrounding bone tissue. This part of the dental implant procedure can take six weeks to six months. The upper jaw typically takes a little longer because the bone is softer, whereas the bone in the lower jaw can be denser, which speeds up the process.
You also need to factor in several visits to your dentist to monitor progress, check that everything is going to plan, and adjust any temporary dentures or teeth when necessary.
Stage two
Once the dental implants and the bone have fused, you may need another appointment to have the abutment fitted if that didn’t take place during the first surgery. The dentist then takes an impression to create a model of your mouth and teeth sent to the dental lab to create your prosthetic teeth or crowns.
You can expect to wait two or three weeks for your gums to heal and for your crowns to be received at the dental clinic.
Your dentist will ensure that any crowns fit well and feel comfortable and that the shade matches the surrounding teeth for a seamless smile.
Hopefully, that has answered your question of how long does the dental implant procedure take. In any case getting a consultation at your local dental clinic is the best way to make an informed decision before proceeding to implant surgery.
Now let’s take a closer look at other factors that affect the duration of dental implants treatment.
How bone grafting affects the dental implant treatment time?
Like natural teeth, dental implants rely on the jawbone for support. If your bone has lost density due to tooth loss, your dentist may recommend a bone graft. Bone grafting adds volume to the missing tooth site allowing for the best chance of stabilisation when the implant is placed into the jaw.
So why do we lose bone?
Bone loss occurs after a tooth is missing because the bone tissue that once supported the old tooth root is no longer required. As a result, it gets reabsorbed back into the body. Bone loss or reabsorption can also occur naturally as a person ages.
Once your dentist has completed a bone graft, the site needs to heal before an implant can be placed. Therefore you can expect treatment times to be lengthened by three to six months.
Are dental implants worth the wait?
There’s no getting away from the fact that dental implants take time to fit – somewhere between 4-9 months. But what you’re left with is a lifelike restoration that becomes part of the mouth – equal in functionality to that of your natural teeth, and one that fits seamlessly within your smile.
With proper care, dental implants can last many years. In fact, the implant itself can last indefinitely, while the crown will need replacing every 15 -20 years.
While dental implants may cost more than conventional methods of replacing teeth and take far longer, the upside is that you won’t ever have to worry about your smile again.
The takeaway
Because every case and every patient is different, there is no exact answer to how long does the dental implant procedure take from start to finish. It may be completed in four months or it may take a lot longer.
Your implant dentist will provide a personalised treatment plan including the stages that need to be completed, the overall cost involved, and the amount of time your treatment will take over all.
Are you considering dental implants?
Why not schedule an implant consultation with the dental team at No Gaps Dental and call us on (02) 8806 0227 to determine if implants are a suitable treatment for you. They may take a long time, but the wait is more than worth it.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.
References
Prosthodontic Perspective to All-On-4 Concept For Dental Implants
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4253293
How Does A Dental Implant Treatment Take?
https://www.click4teeth.com/feature-articles/how-long-does-dental-implant-treatment-take/#:~:text=Also%2C%20if%20bone%20needs%20to,time%20your%20treatment%20will%20take.&text=Dental%20implant%20treatment%20is%20usually%20a%20two%2Dstep%20process.
Dental Implants – Everything You Need To Know – Forbes Health
https://www.forbes.com/health/body/dental-implants-guide
Coonect-AAID Implant Guide – How Missing Teeth Affect Your Face and Bone
https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/missing-teeth-face-jawbone#:~:text=Missing%20Teeth%20%26%20Bone%20Loss&text=While%20these%20roots%20keep%20your,of%20bone%20in%20your%20jaw.
Dental Implant Strength – how strong are they?
https://www.longislandperio.com/dental-implants/dental-implant-strength-advantages