Understanding how long a dental implant placement takes can help patients make a more informed decision when determining whether or not it is indeed the best dental care solution. The implant process is comprised of three distinct phases that must be considered. Keep in mind that while there are three primary phases, each patient may require different and unique approaches to the dental implant placement process. Generally speaking the entire process from start to finish can take anywhere from 4 to 8 months in total. The first step or first phase of a dental implant placement procedure involves the evaluation and preparation [1].

CT or CAT Scan

This phase of the process includes everything from extracting a tooth to bone grafting if it is required. The doctor will also evaluate existing bone structure at the side of the dental implant. In many cases a CT or CAT scan may be necessary. If there is no grafting needed, a patient can progress right to phase 2 of this three-step process. Conversely, if bone grafting is required, the first phase of a dental implant placement can easily take 3 to 6 months. Bone grafting is used most commonly if the tooth has been missing for a substantially long period of time.

Beneficial to the Patient

Keep in mind that when a tooth goes missing, a large amount of bone mass is lost even in just the first year [2]. That is why quick and decisive placement of an artificial tooth root is so beneficial to the patient. Especially considering the fact that this can help to reduce the overall cost involved with the dental implant because the patient will ultimately not require bone grafting. The second stage of dental implant treatment involves the placement of an artificial root directly into the jawbone. This particular procedure takes from one to two hours with a healing time typically of 3 to 6 months.

Fast Healing and Rapid Recovery

Titanium alloy is usually the preferred material for the placement of the artificial root or post. Eventually the titanium posts will heal and merge with surrounding bone tissue. Remarkably, dental implant posts enjoy fast healing and rapid recovery times as compared to other types of procedures. The final stage of having a dental implant placed is the actual placement of the crown. This involves permanently affixing an artificial crown to the artificial root that was previously placed into the jawbone.

High Success Rates

Your dental care provider will make an impression of your mouth and all your teeth as a way to create a near perfect replacement tooth that will match your surrounding natural teeth. The new artificial crown will be designed to match the shape, size and color of other teeth in your mouth. This stage of the process will typically take two visits that are usually around two weeks apart. Dental implants enjoy a very high success rate worldwide and are an excellent solution for those who have lost natural teeth to injury, trauma or disease [3]. Contact your Walnut Creek dental implant specialist, Dr. Darvishzadeh today to learn more about how long dental implant placement takes.

References: [1]  Dental Implants Can Make All The Difference  [2] Dental Implants [3] Learn More About Modern Dental Implant Technology