The Process of Getting a Dental Implant

How long a dental implant takes depends on factors like health conditions, the complexity of the procedure, and the specific steps involved. In this blog post, we'll break down the dental implant process and estimate how long each stage typically takes.

Initial Consultation and Planning

The first step in the dental implant process is a comprehensive dental consultation, a thorough evaluation of your oral health, X-rays, and possibly a CT scan. This step is necessary to create a personalized treatment plan, ensuring your unique needs are met.

Duration: 1 hour consultation (longer if need to be referred out for CT scan)

Dental Implant Preparatory Procedures

If you require any preparatory procedures, such as tooth extractions or bone grafting, these must be completed before the dental implant surgery. 

If damaged teeth need to be extracted, these areas must heal before a dental implant can be placed. This commonly takes a few weeks.

If bone grafting is needed to build up the bone to support a dental implant, the bone graft must be healed before a dental implant can be placed; this often takes 3 to 6 months.

Duration: 1-6 months (including healing time)

Dental Implant Placement

Once the preparatory procedures are complete and healed, the dental implant can be placed. During this procedure, the dentist surgically inserts the titanium implant into the jawbone. This step is performed under local anesthesia and, in some cases, sedation.

Duration: 1-2 hours for the procedure; 3-6 months for osseointegration (healing and fusion with the jawbone)

Dental Implant Bone Healing

After the dental implant is placed, the process of osseointegration begins. This is when the implant fuses with the jawbone to mimic the support of the root of a tooth to create stability. This critical healing period ensures the long-term success of the implant.

Duration: 3-6 months

Abutment Placement

Once osseointegration is complete, the next step is to place the abutment. This minor surgical procedure involves reopening the gum to expose the implant, attaching the abutment, and then allowing the gums to heal. The abutment is a connection piece above the gumline, to which the crown will later be attached.

Duration: 1-2 weeks for gum healing

Dental Implant Crown Placement

The final step is to place the custom-made crown, which is the artificial tooth that sits on top of the abutment/dental implant. Dental impressions will be taken to serve as a mold to make a custom, realistic-looking tooth. Once the crown is ready, it is attached to the abutment.

Duration: 2-3 weeks for the crown to be made and fitted

So, How Long Does a Dental Implant Take?

The total time required for a dental implant can vary widely depending on individual circumstances. On average, the process can take anywhere from 5 to 12 months, from the initial consultation to the placement of the final crown. 

Total Duration: 5-12 months

While the dental implant process may take more time than other dental restorations, the end result is worth it. Dental implants provide not only durability and visual beauty but also the comfort and function of a natural tooth.

Patience is not just a virtue but a necessity in the dental implant process. Each stage is critical to long-term success, and ample healing time is required for a dental implant to fuse into your jawbone. This healing period is a crucial part of the process, ensuring the stability and longevity of your implant. 

If you want to learn more, check out our dental implant resources or contact our supportive Salem dental office, where we specialize in dental implants as well as root canals Salem MA.