How Long to The Wait For a Dental Implant After Extraction?

How Long is Typical?

How long a patient will have to wait to have a dental implant placed after a tooth extraction varies from person to person and depends on several factors.  In some cases, if enough healthy jawbone is present, it may be possible to place a dental implant the same day a tooth is taken out.

However, in most cases, our Ladys Island dentist will recommend waiting 3 to 6 months after a tooth extraction to allow the area to fully heal.  But if someone chooses to wait longer than that, they’ll experience more bone loss in the jaw (which naturally occurs when a tooth is removed).  If enough time goes by, the jaw may become too thin or weak to support an implant.  In those cases, a bone graft may be recommended to restore the strength of the jaw and prepare it for an implant.

If you’re a patient who needs a tooth extracted, you probably want your tooth replaced as soon as possible.  After all, a missing tooth not only impacts the aesthetic appearance of your smile, but your functional abilities to bite and chew.  Missing a tooth can also be embarrassing and frustrating. But, how long do you have to wait to get dental implants – known as the best tooth replacement option available?

Waiting for Your Mouth to Heal

A tooth extraction is major oral surgery. If you are planning to get a dental implants after a tooth extraction, you will typically need to wait a minimum of 10 weeks after the tooth extraction before dental implants can be placed. This waiting period allows the mouth to heal after the tooth extraction surgery.

Granted, there are always exceptions. In some cases, patients can have a dental implant placed at the same time their tooth is extracted. Whether or not you will need to wait for your mouth to heal, or can have dental implants immediately placed depends on a variety of factors including your health status, tooth position, and the existence of infection.

It’s impossible for you to determine on your own whether or not you will be a candidate for immediate dental implants, or if you will need to wait the standard 10 weeks for dental implant surgery.  Only a full examination and evaluation by a surgical specialist, such as an oral surgeon, can confirm which treatment option is best for you and your unique case.

Are Dental Implants Worth the Wait?

Often when patients find out that they’ll have to wait a month to get dental implants placed after an extraction, they begin to wonder, “Are dental implants really worth the wait?”  While the procedure may be lengthy, the results are well worth the wait and the effort.  Implants are the best available alternatives to healthy, natural teeth.  They are stable and durable, offering a permanent solution to restore a missing tooth’s look, feel, and function.  Implants are the only restorations available that help preserve the bone because they act just like natural tooth roots.  With proper care, your dental implants have the potential of lasting a lifetime.  Our dentist are experts in implant restoration and believe that dental implants are the best tooth replacement option for patients for several reasons, including:

• Dental implants are designed to last a lifetime, and unlike bridges or dentures, they are not intended to be replaced over time;
• Dental implants have over a 95% success rate, meaning that the vast majority of people who receive dental implants will have the implants successfully bond with their jawbone;
• Dental implants mimic a natural tooth root, stimulating your jawbone and jawbone growth;
• Dental implants protect against bone resorption, or the shrinking of the jawbone, which occurs if you are missing a tooth;
• Dental implants provide the foundation for a natural looking crown, providing you with a beautiful smile; and
• You can eat anything you want when you have dental implants, without the risk of the implant moving, sliding or breaking.

A Little More About Dental Implants

If have been told that you need to have a tooth extracted, or you have a tooth that you suspect needs to be removed, the best thing you can do is request an appointment with our dentist.  During your comprehensive evaluation, your dentist will be able to tell you whether or not you do indeed need a tooth extraction, how soon you can get a dental implant placed, and provide you with all the details of your personalized treatment plan.

Need to Restore a Missing Tooth, Let Us Help

If you currently suffer from missing or broken teeth, dental implants are a great way to restore your smile. To find out if you are a candidate for dental implants, call 843-986-0177 or schedule an appointment with Lowcountry Family Dentistry in Beaufort today.