For most patients, it takes at least 9-12 months to place a dental implant. If you’re wondering why it takes so long and what happens during the dental implant process, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog from Auburn Hills Family Dentistry, we’ll discuss the basics of the dental implant timeline, what happens during the process, and how long you can expect your treatment to take.
Step 1 – Implant Consultation
To begin the process, you’ll need to come into Auburn Hills Family Dentistry for an implant consultation. Dr. Josh Haycock will perform a comprehensive oral exam, discuss your options for tooth replacement with you, and determine if you’re a good candidate for a dental implant.
(Optional) Pre-Treatment Surgeries
In some cases, you may need additional surgery before your treatment can begin. For example, you may need to have a dead tooth extracted before it can be replaced with an implant, or you may need a bone graft to strengthen the implant site before your surgery. This could add 3 or more months to your total treatment time, depending on the specifics.
Step 2 – Implant Placement Surgery
Your implant placement surgery will usually happen a few weeks after your initial surgery, since your oral surgeon will need to create a customized surgical plan. In this procedure, your oral surgeon will open up your gums and jaw bone, then place one or more titanium dental implants into your mouth. Then, they will suture up the surgical sites, and you’ll be sent home to rest and recover.
Step 3 – Initial Healing & Recovery
It takes about 2 weeks to heal from your initial surgery. Your oral surgeon will give you a set of special instructions to follow as you heal. You’ll need to adjust your diet, avoid smoking, and take some other steps to make sure your mouth heals properly.
Step 4 – Osseointegration
This is why dental implants take 6+ months for most patients. After your implants heal from surgery, they undergo a process called “osseointegration.” In this process, the bone tissue around the titanium implant surrounds, heals, and bonds with the metal permanently, locking the implant in place. This can take up to 3-6 months, depending on the patient.
Step 5 – Creating Your New Tooth
As you heal and your implant bonds with your jaw, you’ll come into our office for a few follow-ups so that Dr. Haycock can check on your recovery. During this time, he will also take measurements and impressions of your mouth, and begin crafting your dental crown (false tooth). This crown will be made out of porcelain that looks, feels, and functions just like a real tooth.
Step 6 – Abutment Placement
A few weeks before your last appointment, you’ll need another quick surgery to expose your dental implant and attach an “abutment.” This is another piece of metal, and it allows your dental crown to attach to your implant properly.
Step 7 – Final Implant Restoration
After your abutment has been placed, you’ll come back for one final appointment with Dr. Haycock. He will check on your implant one last time, and make sure everything looks right, Then, he will permanently attach your new tooth to your dental implant. Then, you’ll be sent home to enjoy your new smile.
Learn More About Dental Implants And See If They’re Right For You!
If you’d like to learn more about dental implants in Dacula, Dr. Josh Haycock is here for you. As an expert implant dentist, Dr. Haycock has helped patients throughout the area restore their smiles permanently at Auburn Hills Family Dentistry. If you’re interested in an implant consultation, just contact us online or give us a call at 678-804-8818. We’re always accepting new patients.
