Dental implants are the most durable, long-lasting, and aesthetically pleasing way to replace missing teeth. Whether you need to replace a single tooth or a full arch, dental implants completely restore the look and function of missing teeth. If you’re considering dental implants, it’s natural to have questions about the process and what to expect at each stage. We put together this guide to walk you through the process of getting dental implants and help you feel confident in the procedure.
How Long Does It Take to Get Dental Implants?
One of the first concerns people have about getting dental implants is how long the process will take. In most cases, the timeline will be somewhere between three to nine months. It can vary based on several factors, such as how many teeth need to be replaced, how quickly your mouth heals, and whether any extractions or tissue grafts are necessary. For instance, it takes much less time to get a single implant than hybrid dentures, which involve multiple implants.
The Dental Implant Process, Step-by-Step
1: Initial Consultation
The journey begins with a consultation with your oral surgeon, where you’ll discuss your dental history, expectations, and concerns. During this visit, we evaluate your oral health and determine whether dental implants are the right treatment for you. You’ll need healthy bone and gum tissue to support the implant posts, so we’ll also evaluate whether any grafting will be necessary before the procedure.
2: Treatment Planning
After the initial consultation, we will create a comprehensive treatment plan. This plan outlines the entire dental implant process for your unique case. Treatment plans typically include the number of implants needed, the type of restoration, and any additional procedures required, such as tooth extractions, bone grafting, or gum grafting.
3: Tooth Extraction
In some cases, unhealthy teeth must be removed to preserve your oral health. Decayed and damaged teeth put your gums and remaining healthy teeth at risk of dental diseases. Sometimes, healthy teeth may also need to be removed. If you only have a couple of remaining healthy teeth, replacing the full arch with an all-on-4 dental implant-supported appliance may be your best option. Any necessary tooth extractions are typically performed on the same day as implant placement.
4: Implant Placement
Placing a dental implant involves surgically implanting a titanium post into your jawbone. At Copper Creek Dental, we use surgical guides customized to each patient to ensure precision and accuracy. This practice ensures long-lasting implants that look and feel natural, and reduces the risk of complications.
Implant placement is performed under local anesthesia or conscious sedation, so you won’t feel any pain or discomfort. If you’re replacing a full set of teeth, we’ll place a temporary arch so you’ll have a full set of teeth while your mouth heals.
5: Healing Period
Your mouth will need time for the implant post to fuse with your jawbone properly and provide a stable chewing surface. This process, known as osseointegration, can take three to six months. We will periodically meet with you to check on your progress. To ensure a speedy recovery, follow all of your post-operative instructions and take any prescribed medications as directed. PRF therapy can also help speed up recovery by promoting osseointegration and healing.
6: Adding the Crown or Denture
Once the implant has integrated with the jawbone, the final crown or arch can be placed. We fabricate custom implant crowns that look and feel just like natural teeth to give you a beautiful, comfortable smile. We can also create custom all-on-4 full arch dental implant-supported appliances to replace full sets of teeth. After making any final adjustments to the restorations, you’ll leave with fully functional and aesthetically pleasing replacement teeth.
Restore Your Smile with Dental Implants in South Jordan, Utah
Getting dental implants requires patience and commitment, but the results are well worth it. If you’re considering dental implants to replace your missing teeth, consult the team at Copper Creek Dental in Daybreak. We’ll determine the best solution to transform your smile. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (3/14/2024). Photo by Peter Kasprzyk on Unsplash