Losing an adult tooth can be embarrassing and frustrating, especially if it keeps you from enjoying the foods you love. But how soon is too soon to replace missing teeth with the help of dental implants? While it’s natural to want to have it restored immediately, sometimes getting your prosthetic requires a little patience. Here’s a general timeline of how long it will take before you’re ready to replace your missing tooth or teeth and get smiling again!
Immediate Implant Placement
If your jaw and gums are healthy and you need to replace a tooth lost due to accidental injury, you may qualify for an immediate implant. It will still take you roughly three to six months for your implant to heal and for osseointegration (fusing) with the bone to occur, however as long as your mouth is in good condition you should not need to wait any longer to begin the procedure.
Early Implant Placement
To qualify for early implant placement, your gums and jaw must be in pretty good condition. This means that there cannot be too much gum disease or jaw deterioration present. This time period still allows for your mouth to heal from tooth extraction before proceeding with treatment.
Delayed Implant Placement
Delayed implant placement may be required if you have excessive oral health problems or require a bone graft procedure to rebuild your jaw due to bone degradation. Bone graft is sometimes necessary if your jawbone has deteriorated, because without sufficient bone density your implants cannot properly fuse with your jaw, and they will not successfully integrate. This delay can take six months or longer before you are then ready to receive your new dental implants.
Remember, your dentist knows your oral health history and is well-versed in determining when your mouth will be ready to accept dental implants. It’s normal to be eager to get your smile back on track, but good things come to those who wait, and when it comes to restoring your smile, your patience will pay off in the end!
About Dr. Bal
Dr. Gus Bal truly enjoys helping patients restore their smiles and live a healthier, happier life through excellent oral health practices. Maybe that’s why he’s a multiple-time winner of The Readers Choice Awards ‘Best Dentist in Scarborough.”
To schedule an appointment for dental implants at Fisher Dental, please visit our website or call us today at 613-727-0990.