Dental Implant Timeline

Many of us prefer any medical procedure we must undergo to be over as quickly as possible – but good things take time to do correctly.  If you’re getting a dental implant, you’re in for a process that usually takes a minimum of five to six months. Here’s a dental implant timeline to prepare you for the procedure.

Understanding What an Implant Is
The first step in this process is understanding exactly what a will be going into your mouth and how it will happen. A dental implant is a titanium rod that is inserted into your upper or lower jaw bone. A piece called an abutment, usually made of titanium, gold, or porcelain, attaches to the implant and connects to a dental crown. The restoration is a crown that looks like a regular crown and is screwed onto the abutment.

First Surgery
If your jaw has enough bone to begin with, this will take place in Month One. If not, you will require bone grafting, and it will happen in Month Five. During your first surgery, your periodontist, oral surgeon, or implantology-trained dentist will insert the implant into your jaw. The time your specialist will wait for the bone and implant to fuse can vary. Usually, it’s four or five months for the lower jaw and six to seven months for the upper jaw.

Second Surgery
Your second surgery can happen anywhere between Month Four and Month Eleven, depending on the jaw and whether or not you had bone grafting done. During this surgery, a healing cap is placed over the head of the implant for 10-14 days to guide proper gum healing. Once healed, your specialist will place the abutment and a temporary crown on the implant for four to six weeks. Finally, the temporary crown is removed, and the permanent crown is either cemented or screwed onto the abutment.

When all is said and done, your dental implant timeline could start at Month One and potentially end at Month Thirteen. No matter the time it takes, having a dental implant installed will improve your overall dental health and protect you from the complications that come with having a missing tooth.

Ron Murphy Dentistry is at your service to provide gentle and cost-effective cosmetic dental treatments. When you visit our practice, you’ll benefit from our individualized, attentive approach to cosmetic dentistry. Call our office today at 630-879-7642 to set up an appointment.