Extractions are unfortunately a common procedure that may become more necessary as you age. Many patients are eager to fill the gaps left behind with dental implants. But how soon can you go ahead with placement after the extraction procedure? Continue reading to learn more about these treatments and figure out the best timing to rejuvenate your smile.
When Can Dental Implants Be Placed After Extraction?
The time between these two procedures can vary greatly depending on several factors. The more complex and difficult your extraction, the more time your jaw needs to heal before implant placement is possible. However, there are some procedures that can be performed directly after the extraction.
Immediate Dental Implants
When your tooth extraction is straightforward and leaves adequate bone volume behind, your dentist may recommend immediate implant placement. This approach allows for the implant to be inserted into the extraction socket immediately after the tooth is removed. However, this situation is rare unless the treatment being performed requires it. For example, All-on-4 dentures will always be performed directly after extraction. This allows you to have your teeth removed, your implants placed, and your permanent denture attached all in one appointment!
Early Implant Placement
For patients who aren’t candidates for immediate implants, early placement is the next quickest option. This involves letting your jawbone heal for two to three months before attempting to perform your implant procedure. Early placement is usually done due to injured gums or an onset of infection that needs time to heal. However, as much as half of the total bone absorption occurs within three months after extraction. Because of this, your dentist will usually try to place your implants within the first two months if possible.
Delayed Placement for Dental Implants
If your extraction site requires more time to heal or needs bone grafting, delayed implant placement may be recommended. This approach involves waiting 3 to 6 months after tooth extraction before placing your desired implants. While this requires a great deal of patience, delayed implant placement often ensures a quality outcome. This is because, after 3 to 6 months, your jawbone will have regrown most if not all of its bone mass. With a sturdy implant site, your procedure is far more likely to succeed.
As you can see, immediate replacement of missing teeth with dental implants is possible. However, unless the specific treatment requires it, you can sometimes get better results by being patient. With proper healing and preparation before your procedure, you can greatly boost your odds of success and achieve the strongest smile possible.
About the Author
If you want quality dental implants in Hackettstown, Dr. Arindam Kakkar has the skills to help you. He graduated from the NYU, College of Dentistry and has clocked hundreds of hours of continuing education for advanced procedures like dental implant placement and patient care. Call (908) 850-0005 to schedule a dental implant consultation at Skylands Dental of New Jersey, LLC, or visit the website to discover other services.