How Long Does It Take for Your Gums to Heal After Dental Implants?
Dental implants in El Dorado Hills, CA, took the dentistry world by storm six decades ago. They knocked dentures and bridges from the top of the list and are now considered the crème de la crème of missing tooth replacement. What makes implants special is that they are surgically inserted into the jawbone, thus replacing the root, an option that was not available before.
But since the dental implant procedure is a surgery that involves making incisions and drilling, you might need some time to heal. One of the questions most patients ask is how long it will take to heal. We wish there were a simple, standardized answer, but it’s a bit complicated.
How Are Dental Implant Done Step by Step?
Mostly, implants are made from titanium, and they resemble screws. They are root-sized and are placed to replace the missing tooth root. Our dentist can apply various implant techniques and use any of the several types of implants available to ensure you get the smile you desire.
But you must know that there may be additional procedures that our dentist may need to perform to ensure that the implants don’t fail.
Without further ado, let’s check how implants are placed:
- Initial Assessment
The process commences with an initial assessment that thoroughly examines your mouth. Our dentist will look at your gums to determine if they are healthy. Then, the jawbone will also be assessed using x-rays and scans to determine whether there is enough healthy bone to secure the implant.
Also, our dentist will ask you the number of teeth you wish to replace. If you have other oral health issues, our dentist may recommend that you plan with other specialists.
The initial assessment will also allow our dentist to check your medical history and see if you are healthy enough to get implants and prepare properly for the procedure if you have a health condition that needs monitoring.
- Tooth Extraction
Once the initial examination is complete and the treatment plan is ready, our dentist will proceed and remove the tooth or teeth that need replacing (if they are still intact). Once the extraction is complete, we move to the next step.
- Bone Grafting, Sinus Augmentation, and Gum Graft
The biggest role the initial assessment plays is to check gum and bone health. If the initial assessment reveals that there isn’t enough healthy bone, then our dentist recommends you get a bone graft to stimulate the growth of new bone.
Gums also play a vital role in holding the implant in place. So, our dentist will perform a gum graft if you need additional gingival tissue.
Sinus augmentation or lift is done when the sinus at the back of the top jaw reaches low and occupies the space occupied by the missing tooth.
These are additional procedures, which means that not everyone will need them. They are only performed when the initial assessment reveals that they are necessary.
- Inserting the Dental Implant
Once the above procedures are completed, our dentist can surgically place the implant. After placing the implant, our dentist will confirm if it’s secure. If it’s secure, our dentist will release you to go home and give your jaw and gums time to heal.
- Abutment Placement
The abutment is a connector that is screwed onto the implant and links the implant with the tooth replacement. Then, our dentist will place a healing cap over the abutment to ensure that gum tissue doesn’t grow over the abutment.
- Adding the Tooth Replacement
This is the last stage. Our dentist will place the tooth replacement of your choice; this could be a crown, bridge, or denture.
How Long Is the Process of a Tooth Implant?
The dental implant procedure will be a bit different for each patient. In fact, the process may seem faster for people who are going for full-mouth dental implants!
In any case, the procedure will take about five months if you are going the traditional route. If our dentist performs additional procedures, then the implant process may last up to eight months, even up to a year, for people who need more time to heal.
But if you get same-day implants, the procedure will be done within a day. But the healing process will still take months.
How Long Does It Take for a Dental Implant to Heal?
Healing is the most important part of the implant process. There are several stages, which means that there will be healing stages. The jawbone usually takes three to five months to heal, whereas the gums can take about three weeks.
In any case, you can speak to our dentist about getting dental implants by contacting us at El Dorado Hills Town Center Dental.