How Long Does a Dental Implant Procedure Take?

The dental implant procedure is a multi-phase and long-term treatment that requires several months to complete. Usually, it takes 5 to 8 months from beginning to end, including recovery after the surgery. 

The multiple phases of the Plano dental implant process might vary depending on the individual’s oral and overall health. Typically, post-surgery recovery after dental implant placement itself takes around 3–6 months.

Numerous factors could influence the speed of implant and replacement tooth fittings. Single implant placement surgery may take as little as 30 minutes, but multiple implants will inevitably take longer (more than 1-2 hours).

Step-by-step dental implant procedure

The duration of the dental implant procedure varies for each individual, depending on the type and number of implants inserted.

However, the below-mentioned steps are necessary in dental implant procedures:

Step 1: Oral health evaluation

Dentists arrange a thorough checkup to evaluate your oral health before beginning the procedure. 3D scans and X-rays are part of this checkup.

Step 2: If necessary, remove the damaged tooth.

The dentist waits until the infection has cleared before placing the implant if your tooth needs extraction due to extensive decay or infection. If not, the dentist places the implant during the same appointment. Furthermore, this procedure does not apply if you have lost your tooth or teeth in a natural or long-term manner.

Step 3: Jawbone preparation or bone grafting (if required)

When undergoing implant surgery, bone grafting becomes necessary only if your jawbone is too delicate or not dense enough to sustain the implant. A weak jawline can lead to implant failure. Bone grafting is a surgery that involves transferring bone to a damaged site in order to restore and develop new bone. It is crucial for a robust implant foundation. 

Step 4: Implant placement surgery

This surgery is the actual first stage of the implant procedure. We place the titanium post, a root-like structure, below the gum line and into your jawbone. This surgery requires a minimum of one to two hours to insert each implant.

Step 5: Bone growth and healing

Dentists wait approximately three months before replacing a tooth with an implant. The implant post’s insertion into the jawbone initiates osseointegration, which explains the reason. The jawbone grows and combines with the dental implant’s surface during these three months.

Step 6: Abutment placement

After osseointegration is complete, the abutment placement requires a minor surgery under local anesthesia. An abutment (a little cushion-like shock absorber) sits between the permanent crown and the dental implant.

Step 7: Crown placement.

The abutment firmly secures your new artificial tooth. Here, the dental implant is complete. After your crown or repair is firmly in place, you may use your tooth again to its full potential.

Depending on the patient’s conditions, the materials used, or the method used, it is possible to combine some of the above phases. As a result, a dental implant procedure takes 5–8 months to complete due to these stages.

Contact us to have your teeth restored with the best dental implants.

Pinnacle Dental in Plano strives to provide the best dental implants for secure and reliable tooth replacement.

Schedule an appointment with our skilled dentist in Plano to restore your beautiful smile. You can call us today!