Dental prosthetics, in other words, the restoration of a missing tooth, becomes the main objective as soon as possible to protect the teeth and enhance the aesthetic look of the mouth. Dental implants are the best form of treatment for lost teeth because it provides stability, durability, and esthetic value of natural teeth. However, the most common question that patients ask is ‘How soon can an implant be done after extraction?’ In this blog post, we will examine different timelines for placing the implant after extraction to help you know what you should expect if you are considering dental implants in 77095, Houston.
Immediate Placement
For some patients implant placement can be done right after tooth extraction.
Pros
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Preservation of bone
When a tooth is extracted, the bone which enclosed the tooth begins to shrink or to resorb, over time. It has been seen that place implants immediately aids in retention of this bone structure, reducing the extent of loss of bone significantly.
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Less Time
Treatment duration shortens as you remove and fix the implant at once.
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Fewer Surgeries
Combining these two procedures into one reduces surgeries hence convenient and less stressful for the patient.
Consideration
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Tooth condition and surrounding bone
The site where an extraction has been done must be free from infection and have enough density of bone to hold on the implant. Immediate placement may not be possible if there is not enough density of bone or when bones become soft as well as if there is any infection.
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Kind of Tooth Extracted
Teeth located at the front end of the oral cavity usually have denser bones making them ideal for immediate implants while molars at the back area might require different methods due to variations in their nature.
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General Oral Health
There must be sound oral health care practices plus hygiene during the healing period to ensure successful outcome and promote tissue integration with no infections around that area like those related with poor oral hygiene mentioned above.
Early Placement (2-3 Months Post-Extraction)
When immediate placement is not an option, your dentist might suggest early implant placement. Normally, this occurs about three months following the extraction. During this time, the soft tissue surrounding the extraction area heals and bone starts to grow again providing a more stable base for the implant.
Pros
- The gap left by missing tooth can be filled in with a temporary solution like partial denture while waiting for healing on one hand, and allowing it to heal early on the other hand hence reducing chances of bone loss.
- Is a better option if there were minor infections or if bone needed some time to stabilize.
Considerations
- During this period, you will need something temporary like partial denture to manage that space left by pulled teeth.
- Although some bone loss may take place in this interval yet it won’t be as much as the deferred procedure.
Delayed Placement (4-6 Months Post Extraction)
Delayed implant placement is when an implant is inserted 4-6 months after extraction. This method is often used when additional procedures such as bone grafting are required before putting the implant into its place.
Pros
- Limits infection and implant failure risks through full healing prior to implant insertion.
Considerations
- This treatment option takes the longest period, which can inconvenience certain patients.
- During the prolonged healing stage, there is a high risk of bone tissue reabsorption necessitating other interventions.
Immediate Loading
In some cases, immediate implantation is possible whereby the placement of an implant and temporary crown occur within 24-hours of extraction. It is generally limited to instances where the bone density is such that it will be able to accommodate both the implant and prosthetic tooth immediately after surgery.
Pros
- Provides an instant solution for replacing the tooth, restoring both function and aesthetics right away.
- Reduces the overall number of dental visits and procedures.
Considerations
- This procedure is not suitable for everyone, as the bone must be strong enough to support the immediate load.
- Higher risk of implant failure if the conditions aren’t ideal.
Conclusion
Evidently the period in which the dental implants are placed following extraction influences the success of the procedure. Whether you get a placement right away, or after a few months, it is necessary to listen to your dentist, and to make sure that implantion conditions are optimal. For anyone who is interested in getting dental implants in the 77095 area it is important to consult a dentist that will advise them on suitability of this treatment.