No one wants to live with an incomplete smile. Therefore, if you know that you will soon need to get one or more of your teeth removed, you may be eager to receive dental implants ASAP! But will you have to wait for a while between your extractions and your dental implant surgery, or can you move forward with tooth replacement right away? This blog post explains a few different possibilities.
Immediate Implant Placement
In some cases, it is possible to place a dental implant during the same appointment as a tooth extraction. This may be true for you if you are free of active gum disease, have a strong jawbone, and there are no other factors present that would cause you to have to wait for dental implants.
If you will need to get all of your teeth in either your upper or lower arch removed, you might be eligible for All-on-4. During this procedure, all necessary extractions are performed, dental implants are placed, and a provisional denture is provided — all in the same day!
Early Implant Placement
Early implant placement is sometimes referred to as immediate-delayed placement. In these cases, dental implants are placed 2 – 3 months after extractions. This short waiting time allows the gum tissue to heal. If any oral infections are present, they should be taken care of during this interim period.
Since early implant placement happens fairly quickly after tooth removal, it usually occurs before the jawbone has had time to deteriorate. Therefore, in many cases, no bone graft is necessary.
Delayed Implant Placement
If you receive dental implants more than 3 months after your extractions, this is known as delayed implant placement. This may be necessary if you have severe gum disease or need bone grafts to fortify your jawbone.
Plan Ahead and Act Promptly
If you already know that you want dental implants, talk to your oral surgeon before your extraction procedure. They can plan your treatment accordingly and strive to make your tooth replacement experience as efficient as possible.
But what if your teeth have already been extracted? You should book a dental implant consultation as soon as your schedule allows. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that your jawbone will deteriorate to the point where a bone graft is necessary. Depending on the type/extent of a bone graft, it could delay your final results by several months.
Dental implants are an amazing form of tooth replacement, but they come with a complex treatment process that requires careful planning. Your oral surgeon will consider all relevant factors before they determine the best time for you to move forward with rebuilding your smile.
Meet the Practice
Under the leadership of board-certified oral surgeon Dr. Sheng Ji, our practice offers a range of services, including bone grafts, tooth extractions, dental implant placement, and All-on-4. If you have questions about tooth removal or tooth replacement, our team would be happy to speak with you. Contact our Carmicheal, CA, office at 916-961-1902.