La
Plata
Are one or more of your teeth badly decayed or damaged? If so, then the best route to restoring your healthy, happy smile may be removing them entirely. But how soon after can you fill the gap in your smile? After all, you want to have a full smile and strong bite as quickly as possible. With this in mind, keep reading to learn when you can get dental implants after a tooth extraction!
So, How Soon After a Tooth Extraction Can You Get a Dental Implant?
Getting dental implants after a tooth extraction is certainly possible, but the turnaround time can vary depending on a variety of factors. As a result, there are three main categories of placement: immediate, early, and delayed:
- Immediate implant placement – If you have sufficient bone structure and good oral health, then the dentist can insert the titanium post immediately following the extraction. From there, osseointegration occurs, which typically takes around three to six months. After the post has fused to the bone, the crown can be attached for a fully renewed tooth.
- Early implant placement – Also known as immediate-delayed implant placement, this happens about two to three months after your procedure. This is often necessary when the gums or supporting tissue need to heal beforehand. When it’s time, the titanium rod will be carefully inserted into your jawbone, osseointegration will take place, and your restoration will be attached to the top.
- Delayed implant placement – If the condition of your oral health is compromised in anyway, whether it’s from bone loss or an infection, then implant placement will be delayed. For example, if you don’t have adequate bone structure, then a bone graft will add three to six months to your timeline. Once you’ve healed, your dentist can get to work on placing the dental implant. Again, the timeframe will depend entirely on the preliminary procedure in question.
Why Replacing the Empty Space Is Important
If replacing the empty space in your mouth with a dental implant sounds like a hassle, it’s important to remember that leaving the gap alone can lead to much larger consequences. To start, even one missing tooth can make eating difficult. As a result, you may not chew properly, leading to indigestion and malnutrition. Furthermore, the space can take a toll on your self-confidence and negatively impact your speaking patterns. Therefore, it’s best to put a plan in place to replace the missing tooth as soon as possible.
It can be difficult to be patient while restoring your smile. However, it’s best to take the right steps, even if it takes a little bit longer. That way, the end result is a beautiful smile that is as healthy and strong as it is durable!
About the Practice
Our goal at La Plata Dental first and foremost is to maintain and restore your natural teeth. When that isn’t possible, however, we can intervene with gentle tooth extractions. To completely restore your smile, we offer several tooth-replacement options, including state-of-the-art dental implants. We go the extra mile to make restoring your healthy, happy smile as smooth and seamless as possible. If you’re interested in learning more about replacing missing teeth or would simply like to schedule an appointment, visit our website or call 240-349-2439.