Whether you are planning to undergo dental implant surgery or are in the preliminary stages of research about dental implants, one of the questions you might have is, how long does it take to get a dental implant?
The time it takes to have a dental implant placed varies based on how many dental implants you need, if any pre-implant procedures are required, and what type of dental implant procedure your dentist recommends.
What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a small rod that acts as an artificial tooth root. At Toothsome, our dental implants are made of the biocompatible elements titanium and zirconium. The rod is inserted into your jawbone during implant surgery, which forms a stable base on which a dental crown, denture, or bridge restoration is placed.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Dental Implant? Types of Implants
The biggest factor that influences the time frame for dental implants is what type of procedure you undergo. The implant process and completion time frame for each type of procedure varies. At Toothsome, we offer several dental implant therapies, including dental implant surgery, same-day dental implants, and full arch on 6 or 4 dental implants.
- TraditXional Dental Implant Procedure
A traditional implant procedure involves several steps and may take 6 weeks to 12 months, depending on your oral health. The typical procedure for traditional implants is as follows:
- Initial consultation with your dentist
- Treatment planning
- Implant surgery, typically lasting between 1-3 hours
- Healing, usually between 6 weeks and 6 months
- Restoration, or placing of the artificial crown, bridge, or dentures
The completion time for this kind of implant surgery is much longer than other options because it is often used in more complex situations. It also requires osseointegration of the jawbone and dental implant, a process that takes several months to occur.
- Same-Day or Immediate Dental Implants
Same-day dental implants are installed in one session, typically taking between 30 minutes and 3 hours, depending on the number and locations of the implants. The abutment and restoration are placed at the same time as embedding the implant post, allowing you to leave our practice with a complete smile.
Same-day dental implants are suitable for individuals with good overall health, no signs of gum disease, and adequate jawbone density and thickness. They have an average 97% success rate.
- All-on-6 Dental Implants
All-on-6 is a dental implant procedure that uses 6 dental implants to hold a full set of dentures. Similarly to same-day implants, the procedure for All-on-6 implants only takes a few hours. This is because the placement of the 6 implants is meticulously planned beforehand.
At Toothsome, we use an implant system called Straumann Roxolid SLActive, which plans the layout of the implants and places them in your gums.
After the implants are inserted, a full set of artificial teeth are secured onto the implants, giving you a complete smile restoration.
The healing time for this procedure may take a few weeks, but the procedure only lasts between 2-4 hours in most cases.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Dental Implant? Factors That Affect the Time Frame
Several additional factors affect the time it takes to get a dental implant.
The main factors are pre-implant procedures like tooth extractions, bone grafts, and sinus lifts.
- Tooth Extraction
A tooth extraction is a procedure where your dentist removes any broken, damaged, or unhealthy teeth. The procedure takes about 15 minutes per tooth, so if you are having several teeth removed, you can expect to spend several hours in the dentist’s chair. Healing from a tooth extraction can take about 2-3 weeks, which increases the time it takes you to get your dental implants.
- Sinus Lift
A sinus lift, also known as a sinus augmentation, may be performed if your upper jaw bone does not provide enough structure for dental implants. This procedure lifts the floor of the sinus cavity, creating more space for your implants to attach. A sinus lift can add about 6 months to your total implant time frame.
- Bone Graft
If you require a bone graft before having implants placed, you can expect to add an extra 4-6 months to the time it takes you to get dental implants. A dental bone graft is a procedure that uses bone tissue from other parts of the body or donor tissue to build up your jawbone so that it securely anchors your dental implant. It may be necessary for those with weak or damaged jawbones due to tissue resorption.
Schedule a Dental Implant Consultation
The time it takes to get a dental implant is based upon your unique dental circumstances and needs, including the number of implants you need, the location on the dental arch, and whether you need any preparatory work. Meeting with your dentist is the best way to get an accurate estimate of the time it will take for you to get a dental implant.
If you would like to meet with our dental surgeon to discuss dental implant surgery, contact our practice on (02) 9158 6637 to schedule a consultation.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
