How Soon After Tooth Extraction Can You Have An Implant?

Are you having a tooth extracted?

If yes, you have probably been recommended dental implant placement.

Dental implants are medical devices that are surgically implanted into the jaw to restore your ability to chew and to prevent bone loss. These are often needed after tooth extraction surgery, but how long is the waiting period before you can undergo the implant procedure?

Read on to find out!

Why do you need dental implants after tooth extraction?

Although your dentist will try to save your natural teeth wherever possible, if this is not possible, then dental implants are the next best option.

There are several reasons why you may not be able to save your natural tooth including:

1. You have severe cavities which have destroyed the tooth structure and not left sufficient support for a filling or crown to be fitted.
2. You have severe cracks or fractures that involve the root of the tooth.
3. You have experienced an injury or had an accident which can caused unsalvageable damage to the tooth.

What happens during dental implant surgery?

If you are worried about dental implant surgery, then it can be a good idea to find out more about this procedure before you book an appointment with your dentist.

Dental implants are a long-lasting solution to missing teeth and are highly effective at restoring your smile.

If you are a good candidate for dental implants, then the first thing you need to do is to book an initial consultation with your dentist. You may be able to do this over the phone or you might have to go in to see your dentist in person so that they can examine your mouth.

The next step is to have an x-ray of your mouth carried out so that your dental implants can be molded to fit you. You may also be required to have a CBCT scan to determine how much bone you have available. If there is not sufficient bone to support the dental implant, you will most likely need to have a bone graft.

When you are ready to have your dental implant fitted, this will take place at your local surgery, and you will be given a local anesthetic to numb the area.

Your dentist will then cut into your gum and drill a small hole into your jawbone; this is where the dental implant will be inserted.

Once the implant has been fitted, it can take between 4-8 months for it to fully bond with your jawbone. After this time, you can have your permanent replacement tooth or teeth fitted.

Speak to your local dentist about aftercare advice so that you can make sure you look after your mouth properly after surgery and to speed up your recovery time. You will also need to book a follow up appointment with your dentist to see how you are healing and to make sure that the area has not become infected or that the dental implant has bonded properly with your jaw.

You may also want to ask about other cosmetic dentistry procedures which you may be suitable for and which may improve your smile further.

Can I have dental implant surgery immediately after tooth extraction?

In some cases, dental implant surgery can take place immediately after you have had a tooth extracted. However, this depends on several factors such as how healthy your jaw and gums are and what your overall oral health is like.

Although you may want to get both surgeries over in one setting, it is often better to wait until your mouth has fully healed and recovered from having a tooth extracted before you look into your tooth replacement options.

Can I have dental implant surgery within 2 months of tooth extraction?

Most dentists recommend that you schedule an appointment to have dental implant surgery within a few months of undergoing tooth extraction. This is because this is sufficient time for your mouth to heal and become strong enough for further oral surgery.

Furthermore, you may not want to wait longer than this to fill the empty space in your mouth and achieve a healthy smile.

It is worth noting that you may also require a bone graft before you have an implant fitted which is another reason why it is a good idea to wait a few months before you request an appointment with your dentist.

Can I have dental implant surgery years after tooth extraction?

Although it is not the recommended course of action, it is possible in many cases to have a dental implant placed in your mouth years after tooth loss or tooth extraction surgery.

However, delayed dental implant placement can sometimes lead to issues such as bone loss in the extraction area. Your surrounding teeth may also start to drift apart which can cause permanent gaps.

Are dental implants worth the wait?

Although you may not want to have to wait several months to have a dental implant placed after tooth extraction surgery, it is the best option for your oral health and smile to choose dental implants.

Some of the most notable benefits of dental implants include:

• They are designed to last a lifetime which means you will not require further surgery to have them restored or replaced.
• They have a 95% success rate so the implant will successfully bond with the jawbone in the vast majority of cases.
• They mimic natural tooth root to stimulate jawbone growth.
• They protect against bone resorption and shrinking in the jaw which is common after tooth loss.
• They provide a good foundation for a natural-looking crown.
• You do not need to change your diet after dental implant surgery as dental implants are not at risk of moving, sliding or breaking.