You’ve researched dentists in the area and are finally ready to move forward with dental implants.
If this is your first time getting a dental implant, we’re here to explain the general process, timeline, and what to expect including how many appointments are needed to complete the dental implant process.
Dental Implant Process: Start to Finish
In general, the process of getting a dental implant, from the first appointment to the last, will typically take a few months or up to a year in some cases.
On average, about 5 appointments are needed for a dental implant. Here is a common breakdown of the appointment schedule, including healing times:
- Consultation Appointment: Your first appointment will be your consultation appointment, done by the dentist who will be performing the procedure. This appointment gives you and your dentist the time to discuss the reason for the implant, the basic process, the end goal, and the different options to reach your goal. Your dentist will answer any of your initial questions or concerns, and discuss temporary teeth while your mouth is healing.
- First Surgical Appointment: This can come very shortly after your consultation, depending on the schedules of you and your dentist. During this appointment, small incisions will be made in the gums, and the dentist will surgically place the dental implant.
- Healing time: After your first surgical appointment for your dental implant, you will need to wait around 4 – 6 months for the implant to fuse to the jawbone. This also gives the incision time to heal, though this doesn’t take very long.
- The Second Appointment: At this appointment, the connector will be attached directly to the implant. This is what the restorative piece (the tooth) will be attached to later. Healing time typically takes around three weeks after the connector is placed before the next appointment.
- The Third Appointment: At this final appointment, the restorative piece is placed on the connector. It is now a permanent fixture in your mouth and should last a lifetime, acting just like a natural tooth.
- Final Check: In most cases, your dentist will likely schedule one final check in a few weeks after your permanent dental implant is placed to ensure everything looks, feels, and heals as it should. They may need to remove some stitches as well, but this is generally the final appointment to the dental implant process.
Bone Graft Appointment for Dental Implants
Some people may require a bone graft if their jaw bone is not strong enough to support the dental implant. During the initial consultation, your dentist will help evaluate the condition of your jaw to dictate if a bone graft is needed and how extensive the work will be (mayoclinic.org).
If this is the case, an extra appointment and dental work may be needed before the implant is placed, extending the total timeline of your dental implant procedure.
Are Dental Implants Worth The Time?
While the dental implant process can take several months or up to a year to complete, dental implants have a very high success rate. They help save the integrity of your mouth for lifelong oral health, making them a worthwhile, and oftentimes necessary, investment.
Speak to your dentist or call us at Watkin Dental Associates if you’re interested in learning more or scheduling a consultation. We are here to help make this procedure, and all dental experiences, as comfortable and positive as possible.
