In life, timing is everything. It should come as no surprise that timing plays an important part in surgical tooth extraction and dental implant treatment. When patients come to our Irving, TX dental care center, we make sure to time their implant dentistry treatment properly. Careful planning is the best means of ensuring success.
The team here at Radiance Dentistry would like to consider these issues in more detail. As you’re about to read, a simple question has a complicated answer when it comes to a custom dental implant treatment.
WHEN SHOULD I HAVE DENTAL IMPLANTS PLACED?
The answer to this question can vary depending on the tooth or teeth that you have lost, the manner in which you lost these teeth, and the number of teeth that are missing. There are, however, some optimal timeframes that we consider as we examine patients and determine their need for professional extraction.
There are types of implant placement with regard to time:
- Immediate implant placement
- Early implant placement
- Delayed implant placement
Let’s look at each below.
IMMEDIATE IMPLANT PLACEMENT
There are some cases in which a patient can have a dental implant placed immediately after a tooth extraction. In these instances, the tooth that has been extracted is typically an incisor, canine, or premolar with a narrow root. This means that only one surgical procedure may be necessary to remove a tooth and place an implant.
It’s important that the patient has sufficient bone and gum tissue present in tooth gap, and the tissue should be healthy and free from infection. The implant will be ready to support a restoration after a few months.
EARLY IMPLANT PLACEMENT
If a patient has a molar or a premolar with multiple roots extracted, they will generally need to wait two to three months before a dental implant can be placed. The same is true of incisors or canines that have wide tooth roots, or when certain issues are present that would make immediate implant placement a risky decision.
Waiting two to three months allows the jawbone to heal properly and fully. This in turn allows the site of the missing tooth or teeth to be better suited for supporting a dental implant.
DELAYED IMPLANT PLACEMENT
Delayed implant placement is recommended when there is not enough bone or gum tissue in place at the time of an extraction. This means that the ideal option is to remove the tooth and then prep the area for a bone grafting or gum grafting procedure.
Once the grafting procedure is performed, patients will need to fully heal, which takes around seven months. This allows the hard tissue to fuse with your existing jawbone, or for the soft tissue to merge with your existing gums. It’s crucial for hard and soft tissues to be healthy and of proper density before proceeding with implant dentistry treatment.
WHAT IF I HAVE BEEN MISSING TEETH FOR A LONG TIME?
If you have been missing teeth for a long time, the answer can vary based on a number of factors. Your best bet is to visit our practice and stop by for a consultation. We can assess your situation and provide straight answers about your treatment options.
LEARN MORE ABOUT IMPLANT DENTISTRY
To learn more about dental implants and how they can restore the appearance and function of your smile after you’ve lost teeth, be sure to contact the team at Radiance Dentistry.