How Long Will My Dental Implants Treatment Take?

Are you going to get a dental implant? Then you’re likely curious to find out at what point you can get to enjoy your new and improved smile!

Dental implants are a great way to replace a missing tooth both for dental health and aesthetic reasons. The implant will look and function just like one of your real teeth. Here is a quick overview of the dental implant procedure so that you can be better prepared for your appointment.
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What To Expect

Phase 1: During the first phase, the dentist will surgically place the implant into the jawbone.

Phase 2: Phase two occurs when the implant has integrated with the bone. Once this occurs, the abutment is placed on top of the implant. Think of the abutment as a connector between the implant and the crown.The abutment supports the crown to fully restore your smile.

Phase 3: The third and last phase is the crown placement. The crown is the artificial tooth cap, which is what everyone will see when you smile. The crown is secured to the abutment and your implant is complete.
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What The Consultation Looks Like

To begin dental implant treatment, we must start with a comprehensive exam. A comprehensive exam includes medical history, a complete clinical exam, x-rays, 3D images, and impressions. Once the doctor has this information, they will speak with you about your individualized dental implant treatment plan. Everyone's mouth is different. so your treatment plan will be personalized to you.

Some examples can include:

Damaged tooth removal
Sinus lift (if the implant goes on the upper jaw)
Bone graft (to replace missing bone tissue)

These procedures can extend your dental implant timeline a bit, but they might be necessary to ensure a successful implant procedure.
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The Dental Implant Time Frame

Once the implant is placed, it can take anywhere between 3 months to a year to complete the healing process. The timeline can vary based on many factors like your anatomy, overall health, and treatment goals.

The time frame can vary on a lot of different factors:

How many preparation procedures you need
How fast your body heals
The aftercare routine, etc.

Some patients can need as little as 3 months to heal from an implant procedure, while others need as many as 6 or more.
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Your Post-Implant Steps

Dental implant aftercare is essential to a good, speedy recovery process. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Avoid hard foods or chewing on the site of the implant site, as the area will be tender for a few days

Don’t brush the site directly for the first days, but do clean the mouth with saline water or gentle mouthwash

Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and manage pain

Try not to disturb the area with your tongue or finger
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You should NOT smoke after receiving your implant. If you do, it will likely fail.
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Do You Need a Dental Implant?

If you have missing teeth or damaged ones that need extracting, New Horizon Institute can help restore your full smile and stay on top of your dental health!

Book a comprehensive exam today by calling 480-664-2270.‍