Have you been putting off cosmetic dental work during the pandemic? Here at Long Island Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry, we have new protocols and procedures in place to ensure our patients’ health and safety. We are happy to welcome clients to our Huntington Station practice for all procedures, including smile makeovers with dental implants.
How long does the dental implant process take?
Dental implants look, feel, and function just like natural teeth, making this tooth replacement option a welcome alternative to bridgework or dentures. You may have heard that the process of getting dental implants is quite a journey, which is no exaggeration. While the protocols and timelines of dental implant surgery will vary from patient to patient, it always involves several stages.
Unless you are eligible for “same day implants,” the timeline for dental implant placement can range from six to nine months – start to finish. The reason it takes so long is that several procedures must be performed, and much of this time is devoted to the healing process in between various phases.
This time frame could be extended an additional three to four months if bone grafting is required. A bone graft helps to build up the jawbone where bone tissues have receded or deteriorated. In this way, there is a solid base for the implants to be placed.
Our Long Island dentists will evaluate the condition and health of your jawbone to determine what is needed prior to dental implant placement.
Placing the implant
Once you are ready for dental implant surgery, the next step is placing the titanium implants into the bone socket of the missing teeth. The procedure is usually done with IV sedation, which is helpful to anxious patients and can last up to one hour for each implant.
After the posts are implanted in the jawbone, you must wait for the implant to fuse with the bone. This process is known as osseointegration, and usually takes around 4 to 6 months. Once the posts are solidly integrated with the bone, they act as artificial tooth roots, and you are ready for the abutment.
After the bone has healed
The abutment is a socket-shaped component where your custom-made crown will eventually attach to the implant post. Placing the abutment is minor surgery, but a crucial step in the process of getting your new smile. Once the abutment is attached to the dental implant post, your dentist may provide a temporary prosthesis to tide you over a couple of weeks until the crown is fabricated and ready.
The final step – placing your custom crowns
Once your jawbone is fully healed and ready to support new custom ceramic crowns, you have reached the final stretch. The placement of your artificial teeth, which mimic both shape and color to blend in, is a simple in-office appointment.
Implants are worth the wait
Getting traditional dental implants takes time, but if you care for them properly, they can last upwards of 25 years – making this permanent tooth replacement option a worthwhile investment.
For more information about dental implants in Huntington, Long Island, feel free to reach out for a free consultation. Call to request an appointment with Dr. Nick or Dr. Elliot today!
Additional Resources:
- Oral B, DENTAL IMPLANTS: THE PROCEDURE & HOW THEY WORK https://oralb.com/en-us/oral-health/life-stages/adults/dental-implants-procedure-how-they-work
- Mayo Clinic, Dental implant surgery https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/dental-implant-surgery/about/pac-20384622
