How Long Does The Dental Implant Procedure Take?

One of the questions patients often ask at Chesterfield Dentistry is “how long does the dental implant procedure take?

If you’re considering an implant to replace a missing tooth then you’ve likely seen conflicting information during your research. While it is possible on occasions to extract teeth and replace them immediately with dental implants, for this article, we’re talking about standard conventional dental implants.

Because everyone is different and some people heal faster than others, it’s impossible to give an accurate answer but it could be anywhere from 4 to 9 months depending on your unique situation. No two cases are alike.

As you probably know, the dental implant procedure consists of several stages with a lot of time between each stage waiting for the mouth to heal. So, let’s take a closer look at what’s involved in each stage and the timeframe, so you have a better idea of what to expect.

Stage 1 – Initial consultation

The consultation should take just one dental visit and is necessary to determine if dental implants are a suitable treatment for you. A comprehensive oral examination is carried out and several x-rays and 3D scans will also be taken. This is so we can assess the quality of your bone and determine the best placement of your implant,

Stage 2 – Planning and preparation

Advances in technology mean that the majority of planning and preparation can be meticulously carried out by our team without the need for you to be present. This is, in effect, why dental implant surgery is termed as a minor procedure. This can take between 2 to 4 weeks.

Stage 3 – The Surgery

This is the part that most people dread but in reality, it’s not even as bad as having a tooth extraction. Your mouth will be numbed so that you don’t feel any pain and it will be over before you know it.

Some people may require a bone graft to replenish thin bone and naturally, this will extend the overall duration of treatment.

Following dental implant surgery, a patient will need to wait for their body to heal before moving onto the next stage.

Stage 4 – healing and recovery

When answering the question “how long does the dental implant procedure take? it all depends on how long it takes for the dental implant to fuse with the jawbone. This natural process known as osseointegration is key to the success of a dental implant and can’t be rushed.

Recovery from surgery for a single dental implant should take just a few days whereas more complex surgery could take up to 3 weeks to recover from. During this time the bone will gradually start to fuse with the implant to become a permanent fixture in the mouth, just like a natural tooth. This varies from one person to another and can take between 3 to 6 months.

Stage 5 – Placing the abutment

Once osseointegration has taken place and the dental implant has fully stabilized, it’s time to fit the abutment. This is a small component that secures the prosthetic tooth (dental crown) and absorbs some of the bite force when you chew. It’s just a short surgery to expose the implant post and attach the abutment and then the gums are closed

Stage 6 – Completing the restoration

A couple of weeks later once your gums are healed, your custom dental crown is attached to the abutment and cemented firmly in place, and voila, your smile is whole once more.

So, how long does the dental implant procedure take in total?

As you can see, there are several stages involved in the dental implant procedure although thankfully, you can go about your life as normal while you wait between stages.

As for the duration of the treatment, much depends on how many implants you are having and the complexity of your treatment. A straightforward single implant could take just 4 months whereas another patient may require additional treatments that could take the duration of treatment to 9 months (and sometimes longer).

If you are considering replacing a missing tooth or teeth with dental implants and would like to know more about the dental implant procedure and how long it could take, why not schedule a consultation with Dr. Melba Akinwande at Chesterfield Dentistry by calling (314) 469 6420 or booking online.

We take the time to understand your needs and requirements and will provide you with a customized treatment plan detailing what needs to done, timeframes, and dental implant costs.

So what are you waiting for? Take the first step towards transforming your smile today!