Are you about to have a tooth extraction as a result of decay, injury, or another oral health issue? This is never your dentist’s first choice, but sometimes it is necessary to preserve the health of the rest of your teeth. The good news is that you won’t need to go the rest of your life with a gap in your smile. There are several different tooth replacement options out there, with a preferred method being dental implants. But how long do you need to wait after your tooth extraction to get one? Read on to find out.
How Long Do You Have to Wait for Your Dental Implant Surgery?
The amount of time between your extraction and implant placement surgery depends on several different factors. You can expect one of the following situations to occur:
Immediate Implant Placement
If your gum tissue is healthy overall, and you have sufficient jawbone structure, your dentist can place your implant immediately after your extractions. This may be the case if you are losing your tooth thanks to trauma or injury. Over the next three to six months, the fusion process, also known as osseointegration, takes place. Once this occurs, you will be ready to have your permanent crown attached.
Early Implant Placement
In this case, the dental implant placement occurs two to three months after your extraction. The reason for this delay is to allow for the damaged gums and supporting tissue to heal before implant placement. As much as half of bone resorption can occur within the first three months after an extraction, so having the implant placed as soon as possible is super important.
Delayed Implant Placement
If you have had a decaying tooth for a long period of time, it’s likely that your gums and supporting tissue aren’t in the best shape. You may have even already started experiencing bone loss. When this occurs, you might require a bone graft to provide enough bone stability to support a dental implant. Bone graft procedures require three to six months of healing before dental implant placement is an option. Once the implant is placed, another three to six months are needed before the prosthetic can be attached to it.
If you’re considering getting a dental implant after your extraction, talk with your dentist. This way, you can come up with a treatment plan that can best meet your needs!
About the Author
Dr. Jason Carlyon is an experienced dentist who has been working in the field for more than two decades. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the Baylor College of Dentistry and is committed to continuing education to keep his knowledge and skills sharp. Currently, he’s a proud member of the American Dental Association, the Capital Area Dental Society, and the Academy of General Dentistry, as well as a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. For more information on dental implants or to schedule an appointment at his office in Buda, visit his website or call (512) 295-5555.