How long does it take to get dental implants? It can take three to five – or even more – visits to complete the dental implant process. You may be able to get your new tooth in a few weeks, or it could take more than a year.
But you don’t want to delay. Losing or injuring a tooth can cause jawbone loss if you don’t get an artificial replacement ASAP.
Want to know the exact timeline to expect when getting an implant? Read this guide to learn the factors that could impact how long it will take to get your new tooth.
How Many Visits for a Dental Implant?
Many patients can get a dental implant in as few as three visits. However, you may need five or more visits depending on your gum and jawbone health. Learn more about how many visits and what these visits entail next.
Preparation
Before having a dental implant placed, patients may require a preparatory procedure, such as extraction or bone grafting.
Extraction means removing the tooth that needs to be replaced. Reasons someone might need a tooth extraction range from severe decay to a damaged or fractured tooth.
Bone grafting may be required for patients who do not have enough jawbone for a one- or two-stage implant. A patient who wants to get a one-stage dental implant but does not have enough jawbone may also opt for a bone graft.
Implant Surgery
We commonly refer to false teeth as implants. However, artificial teeth are made up of three components: the implant, the abutment, and the crown.
The implant is the titanium post that’s surgically placed into the jawbone. The abutment screws onto the implant and provides support for the crown. The crown is an enamel-like cap that looks like a natural tooth.
After a patient heals from preparatory procedures, the dentist can place the implant and the abutment. Implants can be placed in either one or two stages. Learn more about one- and two-stage dental implant procedures in a moment.
Crown Placement
The final visit involves placing the crown. This step requires a separate appointment because the dentist will make a custom impression of your mouth to ensure the crown is the right size, shape, and enamel color.
You will have to wait for a lab to produce the custom crown. Once the crown is complete, you will return to your implant dentist for the final step in the process of getting an artificial tooth.
Types of Dental Implant Procedures
One-stage dental implant procedures are faster than two-stage dental implants. However, many patients are only candidates for two-stage implants. Learn more about the differences between these procedures next.
One-Stage Dental Implants
One-stage dental implants can be placed in the gums on the same day as the abutment, which is the part of the implant to which the crown attaches. It is a popular choice for missing front teeth.
Not everyone is a candidate for one-stage dental implants. The gums and jaw bone must be in optimal condition to install a one-stage implant. Even then, one-stage dental implants have a lower success rate.
Two-Stage Dental Implants
Two-stage dental implants require two separate appointments. The dentist will surgically place the implant into the jawbone during the first appointment. They will not attach the abutment or the crown until the second appointment.
People who are not candidates for one-stage dental implants are often eligible for two-stage procedures. Many patients also choose this option because two-stage implants have a higher success rate.
How Long Does It Take to Get Dental Implants?
It can take anywhere from a few weeks to 18 or 19 months to get dental implants. The exact tooth extraction and implant timeline depends on which preparatory procedures you need and what type of implant you are eligible for.
How Long Does It Take to Heal From a Tooth Extraction?
It takes two to six months to heal from a tooth extraction. However, some people may be eligible for an implant on the same day as their extraction. You must have a healthy jawbone and be free of infection to qualify.
How Long Does It Take to Heal From a Bone Graft?
It takes three to six months to heal from a bone graft. The good news is that your dentist will want to place the implant as soon as possible after the grafting heals to prevent further bone loss.
How Long Does It Take to Get One-Stage Implants?
It takes two weeks to get one-stage implants if you don’t need bone grafting and can have implant surgery on the same day as the extraction. This timeline accounts for the extraction, the implant surgery, and crown placement.
The timeline will be longer if you require bone grafting. It will also take longer to get a one-stage implant if your dentist recommends waiting for the extraction site to heal before undergoing implant surgery.
How Long Does It Take to Get Two-Stage Implants?
It takes two to three months to get two-stage implants if you don’t need bone grafting and can have implant surgery on the same day as the extraction. Unfortunately, most people who go with this option will have to wait longer.
Two-stage implants are typically for people who do not have enough healthy bone tissue. They may require a bone graft, which will add up to six months of healing time to the process. Even when a patient does not require a bone graft, they will not typically qualify for same-day extraction and implant surgery.
Then, after placing the implant, they must wait two to three months for proper osseointegration. In all, it can take up to 19 months to complete a two-stage implant.
Need an Implant Dentist in Lexington, KY?
So, how long does it take to get dental implants? It can take as little as a few weeks or up to 18 or 19 months for the full dental implant procedure, depending on your oral health and other factors.
Are you searching for an experienced implant dentist in Lexington, KY? Garden Springs Dental is the #1 choice for implants in the Lexington area. We use the latest dental technology to give you faster, more personalized results.
Schedule an appointment with Garden Springs Dental today and find out exactly how long your dental implants will take!
