How Long Do Dental Implants Take?

If you have missing teeth, you might be more than ready to replace them. Dental implants can be an aesthetic and sturdy option for replacing a tooth, but the process can be time-consuming — and no two treatment plans are identical.

At Chelsea Dental Aesthetics in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City, Dr. David Blaustein walks you through the entire process, whether you need a single implant or implant-supported overdentures. 

While there isn’t a clear-cut answer to this question, continue reading to learn more about the factors that impact a dental implant timeline.

The first step in the process: Planning

Before any timeline can be estimated, your implant treatment must first be planned. Planning for dental implants includes:

• Scheduling any necessary tooth extractions
• Determining if bone grafting is needed 
• Performing any necessary tests or procedures (such as bone grafting)

During your dental implant consultation, we also discuss with you what type of implant you need. For example, are you replacing one tooth, a few teeth, or a full row of teeth? All of these details play a role in determining how long it takes to achieve your perfect smile.

How long is dental implant surgery?

Regardless of whether you’re receiving one implant or four, the implant post must be surgically implanted into your jaw. This is what makes a dental implant so strong. The post bonds with your bone in a process called osseointegration.

The surgery itself also varies in time, depending on how many posts you need and if you need any additional procedures, which may include:

• Bone grafts
• Sinus lifts, or sinus grafting procedure

Sometimes minor bone grafts or sinus lifts can be done at the same time your implant post is placed. In other cases, however, you need to let your bone heal for about six months before returning for your implant. 

With all of these factors in mind, the surgery itself can take a few hours.

How long do healing periods take?

After we place your implant post, you need plenty of time for your jaw to heal and for the post to fuse with your bone. It can take 3-6 months for your bone to heal after the procedure. 

Once the healing process is complete, you return to our Manhattan office for your abutment and crown. 

Can you speed up the timeline?

If you need a bone graft and can’t receive your implant at the same time, there isn’t much you can do to change that fact. 

You can, however, support bone health during your recovery period by eating a nutrient-dense diet rich in calcium and vitamin D. These nutrients are good for your bones, and you can find them in dairy products, tofu, dark leafy green veggies, and sardines.

While you can’t hurry up the process, you can avoid certain things that would delay healing. For example, smoking cigarettes can negatively impact your healing and recovery. It’s also imperative to follow all post-op instructions to prevent infections that could impact your implants.

Patience pays off

Dental implants aren’t an overnight solution to missing teeth, but committing to the process can leave you with serious perks:

• Long-lasting results (up to 30 years!)
• No need to fuss with sliding dentures
• No need for messy denture glue
• Aesthetic results

If you’d like to learn more about dental implants, we’re just a call or click away. Call 917-633-7312 or book your appointment online.