Can You Receive A Dental Implant As Soon As A Tooth Is Removed?
The outcome is worth the wait with dental implants. Perfection takes time, and this tooth-replacement system is as close to a real tooth as dental science can provide. But why can receiving dental implants be a drawn-out affair for some patients? And why are some patients eligible for immediate dental implants with practically no waiting?
In Stages
Dental implants are completed in stages, with sufficient time for healing in between. If the damaged tooth that's to be replaced by an implant is still in your jaw, it must be extracted. Post-extraction, it will take your jaw anywhere from two to four months to heal. The titanium dental implant can now be placed in your jaw. This becomes your new tooth root once the bone has healed around it, and this can take from six to twelve weeks. After this time, the dental implant's prosthetic tooth can be attached.
Implanted Vs. Non-Implanted Teeth
So from start to finish, receiving a dental implant can take several months (varying slightly from person to person). It's worth the time. These implants are anchored in the jaw, with the implant functioning just like a natural tooth. The ceramic prosthetic tooth looks entirely natural too. Non-implanted prosthetic teeth may look acceptable, but it's important to remember that dental bridges and dentures sit on your gums, and don't have any physical foundation in your jaw. As such, they can't replicate the bite force of a dental implant.
Immediate Implants
Given the lifelike results of an implant, it's going to be worth the wait, even if it takes a number of months to be completed. But some patients are eligible for an immediate dental implant. After a thorough assessment and diagnostic testing, a dentist will make the determination about the patient's suitability. Be sure to ask your dentist if you're able to receive an immediate implant.
Skipping a Step
These immediate implants are placed in the dental socket the instant the damaged tooth is extracted. This approaches the problem from a different angle and is intended to prevent the socket from healing before implantation, so the socket and jawbone will heal around the dental implant. This lets you skip a usual step in the standard process—and can only happen when a patient has extremely healthy bones and gums. The prosthetic tooth will be fitted at the same appointment, and you'll need to be careful about avoiding pressure on your new tooth until the implant has fused with your jaw.
Without the necessary bone density and gum health, immediate implantation will fail. This is why it's considered on a case-by-case basis. In the end, it doesn't matter so much if your implant is immediate or happens in stages over several months—the outcome is worth it.
For more info about dental implants, contact a local dentist.
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