Dental implants in Charlotte from our team are the best way to permanently restore your missing teeth. But the treatment process for a single-tooth implant can take up to 6-7 months or longer.
What happens during this time? And why does it take so long to place a dental implant compared to other options like dental bridges and partial dentures? Find out now in this blog, where SouthEnd Dentistry will discuss the entire implant timeline from start to finish!
Step 1 – Initial Consultation
To begin the process, our dentist will provide you with a comprehensive oral exam complete with x-rays and digital imaging to determine if you’re a good candidate for dental implants.
(Optional) – Preparatory Surgeries
You may need additional surgeries like bone grafts, bone ridge smoothing, or tooth extractions before your implant can be placed. This will add additional time and costs to the process. Our dentist will discuss each preparatory surgery in more detail during your consultation.
Step 2 – Implant Placement Surgery
After you’re approved for surgery, you’ll come into SouthEnd Dentistry to have your dental implant placed. At this appointment, our dentist will start by cleaning and numbing your mouth.
Then, he will follow your implant treatment plan to create a small opening in your gums and jaw, and place a small titanium post in this area. Lastly, the area will be cleaned, disinfected, and stitched to keep the implant in place and ensure it heals properly.
Step 3 – Initial Healing & Recovery
The implant placement surgery itself doesn’t hurt, but you may experience some pain for a few days as you recover. It will take between 1-2 weeks to fully heal. During this time, you’ll follow instructions provided by our dentist to speed up the healing process.
Step 4 – Osseointegration
After your surgery, it will take about 3-6 months for your implant to permanently bond with your jaw bone. This process is called “osseointegration,” and it’s essential for a stable, strong dental implant.
Step 5 – Follow Ups & Crafting Your Implant Restoration
During the 3-6 month healing and osseointegration period, you will come back to SouthEnd Smiles several times to get a checkup. During these appointments, our dentist will also start designing the dental crown that will attach to your implant and replace your missing tooth.
Step 6 – Abutment Placement
A few weeks before your final appointment, you may need to come into our office to have an abutment attached to your implant. This is a small metal connector that attaches the crown to the implant. It’s sometimes placed during your initial implant surgery, but if this is not the case, you will need a separate appointment to have it attached to your implant.
Step 7 – Implant Completion
At your final appointment, our dentist will check your implant and your dental crown to make sure everything looks perfect. Then, he will attach your dental crown to the implant with powerful dental cement, completing the procedure and restoring your smile.
Interested In Implants? Get Started At SouthEnd Dentistry Today!
If you’d like to restore your smile permanently with dental implants in South End, Dilworth, Myers Park, or Uptown, our dentist and the team at SouthEnd Dentistry are here to help. Contact us online or give us a call at (704) 335-8266 to get started right away and see if dental implants are right for you.
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