How Long Does Dental Implant Treatment Take?

Are you considering dental implant treatment? There are all sorts of reasons why somebody might want dental implants – as an alternative to dentures, to eat their favorite foods, or even get their smile back and regain their confidence.

But almost everyone will have some concerns about the process and how long it will take until they can smile again.

If you have been putting off visiting local dental clinics out of fear, you’re not alone. Indeed, studies have found that more than 60% of patients suffer anxiety about going to the dentist!

In this blog post, you’ll learn everything you need to know about dental implant treatment and how long it takes from start to finish. You can use this article to demystify the process and decide whether dental implants will put a smile on your face again.

What Is Dental Implant Treatment?

Let’s start with the basics. Dental implant treatment is a form of surgery designed to replace lost or decaying teeth.

For years, the only way to fill in the gaps left by missing teeth was to wear dentures or a bridge. Today, dental implants are a popular choice for people who want a more natural-looking solution.

Dental implants replace the roots of your missing teeth. Typically, they consist of titanium. When implanting them, your dentist will insert your implants into your jawbone, where they act as anchors for individual replacement teeth.

During the healing process, your implant will fuse with your bone. This process means that it’s a permanent solution, unlike removable fittings such as dentures or a bridge.

What Are the Benefits of Dental Implant Treatment?

Dental implant treatment might sound scary – especially if you haven’t been to the dentist in years. However, its many benefits make it an excellent choice for the estimated 178 million Americans who are missing one or more teeth:

• Unlike a bridge, having implants won’t affect your nearby teeth. This localized impact improves your dental health long-term.
• Implants are very secure so that they can handle crunchier foods once fully healed. No more staring longingly at your favorite meals on a menu!
• It looks completely natural.
• It’s a permanent solution with a very high success rate (98%).

How Long Does Dental Implant Treatment Take?

The reality is there’s no ‘one size fits all’ answer to this question. From the procedure itself to the healing period, every aspect of this treatment will depend on you as the patient.

If you’re missing a lot of teeth, it will take longer to fit your implants. However, many people decide that the process’s length is more than worth it for the results.

In general, dental implant treatment involves four stages:

A Consultation

The first stage is to call nearby dental clinics to arrange an initial consultation. Your dentist will take some advanced imaging scans of your mouth, which will help create your personalized treatment plan.

No matter how bad you think your teeth are, you should never feel ashamed for not scheduling an appointment earlier or putting of getting implants. There are all sorts of reasons why people don’t feel able to visit their dentist. But by booking a consultation, you’ve taken the first step toward changing your smile for good at a reasonable cost.

Pre-Procedure Appointment

If you decide that you’d like to move forward, the next step is to attend a pre-procedure appointment.

Here, your dentist will examine your teeth again to finalize your treatment plan. They should also be able to answer your questions and hopefully help you with any worries you have about the procedure.

The Dental Implant Procedure

Now, it’s time to get your dental implants. The length of your appointment will depend on how many implants you’re having fitted.

Generally, each implant will take around half an hour to complete. Your dentist may have scheduled more than one session if you’re replacing several or even all of your teeth.

If you’re anxious about your appointment, dental clinics might offer you the option of being sedated. This option will mean that your procedure takes a little longer, as you’ll need time to come round safely afterward.

The Healing Process

Congratulations! Once you’ve had all of your implants, the last stage is the healing process. Again, the length of time this takes will depend on how many implants you’ve had fitted.

Immediately after the procedure, you’ll naturally be a little sore. However, this discomfort will quickly improve.

Initially, you’ll receive temporary crowns (false teeth) while your mouth adjusts to the implants. After about three months, or when your implants have fused with your jawbone, your dentist will replace the crowns with your permanent prosthesis.

Are There Any Factors That Can Make Dental Implant Treatment Take Longer?

As well as the number of implants you need, several other factors might influence how long your treatment will take. These factors include:

• The location of your implants in your mouth
• Whether or not you require bone grafting. This surgical procedure will help to build up the bone in your jaw if you don’t have enough bone density naturally to support your implants.
• The level of infection if you have required tooth removal due to decay

These steps need to happen if you need to build bone density or clear an infection before you can get your implants fitted.

Call Us Today to Start Your Dental Implant Treatment

Getting dental implants is a personal process. If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with us today or take our virtual consult quiz online. We’ll be able to give you a more accurate idea of how long your dental implant treatment will take.

We don’t believe that fear should hold you back from having your best smile. At Jones & Copeland Smiles, we will never judge you for not visiting the dentist sooner – whether it’s been three years or thirty since your last appointment.

Ready to take your first step? Arrange your in-office consultation today!