How Long Does It Take To Get Dental Implants?
Dental implants are one of the most effective solutions for lost adult teeth. Compared to other solutions like dental bridges or partial dentures, dental implants last longer and more accurately mimic the function of your lost teeth. They are also often chosen because of how they aesthetically match a patient’s smile. For these reasons, they are one of the most popular solutions when it comes to replacing a lost tooth. Because of this, many patients have questions about what to expect with dental implants. For starters, the dental implant process can take months to complete and the timeline can differ based on what the patient needs. In this article, we will cover the steps of the dental implant process. If you live in Massachusetts and would like specific information about dental implants, we highly recommend contacting one of our three offices in Newburyport, Peabody, and Winthrop.
Dental Implant Consultation & Planning
First and foremost, before you can get dental implants you will need to have a consultation with a local dental office that provides implant treatments. During this consultation, they will need to take X-rays and 3D images to create models of your teeth and jaw. Treatment plans for dental implants are tailored to the individual. For example, your dental implant treatment plan might differ based on the health of your remaining teeth, your jawbone, and how many teeth you need to replace. Patients who need a large number of their teeth replaced might be better candidates for treatments like Hybridge Dental Implants which replace a full arch of teeth with strategically positioned dental implants.
What Is Bone Grafting?
In some cases, the jawbone is not strong enough to support a dental implant. Your dentist might recommend bone grafting which is a procedure that can strengthen your jawbone over time. It is important for the jawbone to be strong enough to handle the pressure that will be put on the implant when you bite down. If a patient requires bone grafting it can take a few months for the jawbone to grow stronger.
The Dental Implant Process
After any other procedures like bone grafting are complete you can begin the dental implant process. A dental implant is surgically placed underneath the gum in the socket where the lost tooth once was. After this is complete it will take time for the implant to heal and fuse. A temporary denture can be placed in the interim. Over the course of a few months, the jawbone will begin to fuse with the dental implant similar to how dental tooth roots work. Once this process is complete, an additional surgery is done to attach the abutment (the false tooth) to the the implant.
Dental Implant Treatments in Massachusetts
Varinos Dental Associates has three dental offices in Newburyport, Winthrop, and Peabody that provide restorative dental treatments for our patients. If you are interested in learning more about dental implants or implant-supported dentures like Hybridge Dental Implants, please give us a call.
