How Intensive Is Dental Implant Surgery?
If you have any lost, broken, or otherwise irreparably damaged teeth, dental implant surgery could be a great alternative option for you. But what exactly does dental implant surgery entail? And how long does the surgery last?
Dental Implants: The Basics
Dental implants in Garden City and other major cities throughout the country offer the possibility of replacing your lost, broken, or damaged teeth with artificial substitutes that are almost as good as the real thing. In the dental implant procedure, a permanent post is implanted into your jawbone. Then, an abutment allows an oral surgeon to attach an artificial tooth.
The end result is an artificial implant that looks, feels, and functions just like a real tooth. It’s designed to be a permanent fixture that you care for like a regular tooth – and as long as you take care of it, it has the potential to last a lifetime.
Dental implants are generally preferred over dentures, bridges, and other options for lost teeth for these reasons and others.
How Long Does Dental Implant Surgery Take?
So how long does the dental implant surgery take?
This is a difficult question to answer succinctly, because the dental implant procedure can go in many different directions, depending on the location of the missing tooth, the number of teeth to be replaced, the age and health of the person undergoing the procedure, and other factors. Additionally, different oral surgeons approached dental implant procedures in slightly different ways.
Initially, the oral health professional will conduct an evaluation and possibly pursue a bone graft. If the tooth in question is currently broken or damaged, tooth extraction may be required. Depending on the work that needs to be done and how long it takes to heal, this phase of the process can last up to a few months.
Next, an artificial root is implanted into the jawbone. This procedure usually takes one to two hours, and it takes between three and six months to heal. Your oral surgeon can help you understand your unique timeline for recovery.
Once the artificial root is healed and ready for an artificial tooth, the tooth can be implanted. This can usually be done in one session, but it may require two short sessions a couple of weeks apart.
Note that some oral health surgeons and institutions are able to complete dental implant surgery in a much faster time frame, but this isn’t a guarantee. Most people are able to complete the entire process in the span of a few months.
Variables That Can Influence Your Timeframe
There are several variables that can influence your dental implant timeline, including:
- Availability. First, you’ll need to consider the availability and accessibility of your dental implant surgeon. If your local office is booked up months in advance, you’re going to be delayed in getting your dental implants.
- Procedural approaches. The timeline for your dental implant surgery will vary based on the procedures used by the oral surgeons near you and the types of equipment available to them. Be sure to ask your oral surgeon for more details on the procedures they plan to use.
- Your oral health. The state of your mouth may also play a role. Dental implants can generally be implanted regardless of the condition of surrounding teeth. However, if there are standing issues with your jawbone, or if you have other oral health issues, they can interfere with your dental implant surgery.
- Number of teeth to replace. Of course, the number of teeth that need to be replaced can also influence the time it takes for the procedure. You may be able to get multiple dental implants simultaneously, but this can extend both your procedure time and recovery time.
- Your age. As we get older, the healing process naturally takes longer. The older you are, the longer you can expect the recovery process to take. Some older people may also be more susceptible to complications after surgery.
Taking Care of Your Dental Implants
So how do you take care of your dental implants once the procedure is complete?
For the most part, you’ll take care of them the same way you care for your normal, healthy teeth. You’ll be responsible for brushing your artificial tooth along with your other teeth, using a soft bristled brush. You should floss and rinse with mouthwash like usual. And you should attend regular dental cleanings and screenings to catch potential issues before they become worse.
For most people with broken or missing teeth, dental implants represent the best possible solution. Procedures last only an hour or two, and your path to recovery should only take a few months, so as long as you can afford this relatively easy procedure, you should consider undergoing it.