Did you know your jawbone starts thinning after teeth go missing? The same is true if one or more teeth are extracted to preserve your dental health. Without a root in place to stimulate new bone growth with each bite down, the foundation of your mouth can eventually become too frail to support your remaining teeth.
Dental implants are the only restorations placed directly in your jaw to prevent this process of degeneration. But most patients must wait until they’ve recovered from the extraction before moving forward with replacements. Continue reading to learn more about how long it might take!
How Long Does Tooth Extraction Recovery Take?
Although your dentist usually does everything they can to protect your natural teeth, there are some instances in which removing them is the best way to protect your grin. Once your procedure is complete, they’ll provide post-operative instructions intended to help you mend as quickly as possible while avoiding potential complications.
The length of your recovery can depend on your unique circumstances, such as your general dental condition, how many teeth were removed, and your jawbone density. Some patients can resume usual activities within a day or two, while others must wait weeks or months to fully heal.
How Do Dental Implants Work?
Unlike dentures and dental bridges, implants include a support rod that’s placed in your jaw and eventually fuses with the bone to become a more permanent part of your mouth in a process called osseointegration. Then, they function like the roots of natural teeth to stimulate your jawbone with each bite down to keep it active and healthy.
Once your gums have mended sufficiently, your dentist can make impressions to design a one-of-a-kind restoration based on how many teeth went missing, such as a dental crown, bridge, or dentures, that attach to your implant(s).
How Long Must I Wait After Extraction to Get Dental Implants?
It’s normal to question how long you’ll have to wait after your extraction before you can get dental implants, but the answer can vary based on your circumstances. For instance, if your gum tissues are largely healthy and you have a sufficiently thick jawbone, there’s a chance that your new teeth can be placed immediately afterward.
However, in many cases, patients must wait about 2 to 3 months after their extraction before getting implants. This gives their jawbone and connective tissues time to mend before undergoing another procedure. This decreases the risk of implant failure, which can be caused by gum disease, infection, or incomplete osseointegration.
If you still have questions about your potential treatment timeline, your dentist can provide more detailed information based on your individual situation!
About the Practice
Patients at Brite Smiles benefit from two dentists dedicated to helping them build and maintain the healthiest, most beautiful versions of their smiles. Dr. Patel and Dr. Sani have decades of combined experience, and today, they collaborate to provide a complete menu of services under one roof, including extractions. They also have the advanced training and state-of-the-art equipment to both place and restore dental implants in the office. You can request an appointment on the website or call (847) 297-0808.
