If you’ve visited your dentist after losing a tooth, they may have advised you to consider a dental implant. Dental implants are among the best options for restoring oral health and solving the issues associated with tooth loss.
When you’re preparing for dental implant surgery, you may have questions about what to expect. A common question from patients considering dental implants is how long does dental implant surgery take? The answer to that question depends on several factors, including your health and the number of dental implants required. In addition to the length of the surgery, you may need several weeks of recovery time after their dental implant procedure in order for the site to heal.
The Problem of Missing Teeth
A missing tooth may seem unimportant, especially if it’s not visible and involves one of the back molars. It’s tempting to leave the empty space, let it heal over, and do nothing. While this tactic may seem harmless and preferable to going to the dentist for treatment, it can be dangerous. Leaving a gap in the mouth has profoundly detrimental side-effects.
The mouth functions best with a specific number of teeth, and this structure promotes and maintains optimal oral health. Missing teeth compromise the entire dental arch, putting you at risk of shifting teeth, bone loss, bite alignment issues, TMJ problems, tooth decay, and gum disease.
The Solution
The side-effects that can result from a missing tooth show why tooth replacement options are a necessity. Thankfully, there are many options available in our modern dental care system.
You can choose to fix the gap left by a missing tooth in several ways. The best and only permanent option is a dental implant. Dental implants come with several benefits: they are durable, long-lasting, look, and function like your natural teeth, prevent bone loss, and are easy to care for.
The Different Types of Implant
There are two different types of dental implants. Your dentist can help you decide which one is right for you.
An endosteal implant is the most common type of implant. Your dentist will place the screw-shaped implant directly into the jawbone. If your jawbone cannot support an endosteal implant, your dentist may choose to use a subperiosteal implant.
Some patients’ jawbones cannot support dental implants. However, some procedures can increase your bone density, making your jawbone suitable for a regular dental implant. A bone graft or sinus lift helps rebuild bone and create the foundation required for dental implants.
Dental Implant Surgery
Replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant requires dental implant surgery. During your first surgery, your dentist places a titanium rod into your gum and jawbone, which functions as an artificial tooth root. The implant replaces your original tooth root and provides a solid base for the crown or artificial tooth.
After the dental implant procedure, it can take up to 4-6 months for your jaw to heal completely. Your dentist will schedule regular follow-up appointments to ensure the implant is fusing to the bone. Once your jaw has fully healed, your dentist proceeds to the next step.
In your next surgery, your dentist places a small connecting rod, called an abutment, that allows them to link the dental implant to an artificial tooth. The artificial tooth, also known as a crown, can be made from several materials, including metal, porcelain, ceramic, or resin, and looks and functions like your natural teeth.
How Long Does Dental Implant Surgery Take?
The dental implant procedure takes 1-2 hours to perform if you only require one dental implant. The surgery will take longer if you need multiple implants.
It can take several months for the artificial tooth root to fuse to the bone. Most people experience a healing time of 4-6 months, though several factors influence this time. For example, if you’re dealing with a significant illness, like an autoimmune disease, osteoporosis, or cancer, your body will take longer to heal, lengthening the recovery time. Your dentist will evaluate your oral and overall health at your initial consultation and discuss your tooth restoration options to ensure a successful outcome.
What to Expect After a Dental Implant Procedure
It’s normal to experience discomfort in the area after the surgery. There may be some swelling, bruising, and bleeding at the site of the implant. These are natural side effects of this procedure and won’t last long. Typically, this discomfort should subside after ten days. During this time, all the other side effects will likely resolve themselves.
If you experience extreme discomfort after your surgery, contact your dentist for guidance immediately. They can prescribe pain-relieving medication and examine you to check for infection. Bear in mind that some medicines can increase the risk of bleeding.
What to Do After Your Dental Implant Procedure
Immediately after dental implant surgery, refrain from eating hard, chewy food to help you heal faster. Make sure you’re getting good nutrition from your meals since this aids recovery, and aim to eat only soft foods in the days after your surgery. Only reintroduce harder foods as you begin to heal.
Before your surgery, stock up on the following foods:
- Soups and broths
- Smoothies
- Soft fruits like melons, berries, and bananas
- Plenty of soft protein, such as eggs, fish, and tofu
- Yoghurt, milk, cottage cheese, and cheese slices
- Oatmeal
- Juices and tea
- Vegetables you can steam and mash
After dental implant surgery, make sure you avoid:
- Hot foods
- Chewy foods
- Hard foods
- Acidic foods
- Spicy foods
- Tobacco
- Alcohol
Caring for Yourself After Dental Implant Surgery
After the dental implant procedure, your body will be working hard to heal. If you want to experience a fast recovery, you must look after yourself.
After any kind of surgery, there’s a risk of infection. To avoid infection, stay away from sugary foods, maintain good oral hygiene, rinse your mouth regularly.
Taking these preventative measures can help ensure your dental implant surgery’s success.
Contact Us to Arrange Your Consultation
If you are considering dental implant surgery, contact No Gaps Dental to book a consultation at one of our locations near you. We’re available to answer your questions and provide support and guidance on how to restore your smile.
Call us today on (02) 8806 0227.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.