Understanding Your Dental Implant Timeline
Though the lengh of time involved in your dental implant journey will vary based on a number of factors, you will always go through the same five-step process. The length of time spent in each of these steps will be unique to your body and dental situation.
Step 1: Initial Consultation
Before you receive your dental implants, you must have a consultation, in which your doctor will determine if you are a candidate for dental implants. Together, you will decide which type of implant will work best for you.
Step 2: In Depth Assessment
You will discuss your medical and dental history with your dentist, and receive a thorough evaluation of your oral structure so that the best decision about your treatment can be made. Once a treatment type is selected, you will then have an approximation of your dental implant timeline.If you do not require any preparatory procedures prior to implant placement, such as a bone graft, the doctor may schedule your implant surgery soon after your consultation. The length of your procedure will largely depend on how many implants you receive.
Step 3: Placement Surgery
Typically, it can take one hour if just one implant is placed, while multiple implant placement takes two to three hours. Compromised teeth can also be extracted at the same time that the implants are placed for added convenience. Many patients choose to undergo sedation in addition to receiving a local anesthetic.
Step 4: Healing Period
For traditional dental implant patients, it takes about four to six months for your jawbone to fuse with the implant posts in a process called osseointegration. During this healing phase, you may have follow-up appointments with your doctor to monitor your progress and ensure safe, speedy healing.
Step 5: Attachment Of Restoration
Once your recovery is complete, you will return to have your custom-made restoration placed. Your dentist will check your restorations, and if no adjustments are necessary, he will attach your new teeth to the implants. You will leave our office with full dental functionality and an attractive smile.
All-on-4®: A Same Day Smile
Based on candidacy, your dental implants timeline could be shortened considerably. Using the All-on-4® approach, Our doctors can place the implant posts and attach a denture in just one office visit, while traditional implants are not fully restored in a single appointment. Since fewer implants are implanted in a strategic and precise way, there is less impact on the jawbone, also allowing for faster healing times.
