Dental implants are a permanent, realistic-looking restoration option for replacing missing teeth. They help you regain full oral functionality, allowing you to eat and speak normally while renewing your self-confidence.  

However, dental implants take longer to place and heal than other tooth-replacement options like a dental bridge. This is because your body needs time to heal between surgical stages in order to allow the jawbone to fuse with the implant and create a secure base for the dental crown. 

If you are considering dental implants, one of the biggest questions you may have is, how long does it take to get a dental implant? Your recovery timeline depends on your oral health before placement, the number of implants, and your overall general health. 

How Long Does it Take to Get a Dental Implant: The Procedure

The dental implant procedure occurs in several stages:

• Initial Consultation

During your first session, your dentist assesses your suitability for dental implants. They perform a manual examination of your teeth and gums and take X-rays and digital images of your mouth to evaluate your gum health and jawbone density. The average consultation takes around 30 minutes. 

If you need an extraction to remove a damaged tooth before placing the dental implant, your dentist may remove the tooth during your initial consultation to give your mouth time to heal in preparation for receiving dental implants. The extraction takes between 10-15 minutes in the dental chair and is performed under local anaesthetic. Healing from a tooth extraction takes 2-3 weeks. 

Individuals with significant jawbone resorption or signs of gingivitis or periodontitis will need additional treatment before getting dental implants. Patients need sufficient bone tissue and healthy gums to support the dental implant post. 

Your dentist may prescribe a course of antibiotics or perform scaling and root planing to address gum issues. To build up bone tissue, you may need a bone graft or a sinus augmentation. The healing time for these procedures can add 4-12 months to your overall dental implant treatment length. 

• Dental Implant Placement

Placing dental implants is an outpatient procedure performed quickly and safely in the dentist’s chair. Each implant post takes 1-2 hours to embed in the jawbone. 

Your dentist numbs the area with a local anaesthetic and makes a small incision in the gum tissue, exposing the bone underneath. They then drill a small hole in order to screw the titanium implant post in place. The gum tissue is sutured and the surgical site packed with gauze to minimise bleeding. 

You should limit your activity for at least 48 hours after surgery, eat a soft food diet, and avoid irritating the surgical site. It takes between 1-2 weeks to heal from implant surgery with proper aftercare, but it can take 4-6 months for the dental implant post to fully osseointegrate with your jawbone to create a stable foundation for the abutment and dental restoration. 

You may need to visit your dentist periodically during the healing time to check your progress and ensure there are no signs of infection. 

• Abutment Placement

Once the surgical site has healed, your abutment can be placed. The abutment is a small metallic connector that attaches the post to the restoration. 

During the procedure, the implant site is reopened under local anaesthetic. The abutment is placed, and the gum tissue is closed around the abutment but does not cover it to ensure that the dental implant can accommodate the crowns or denture plate. 

After the abutment placement, your dentist takes an impression of your mouth and implant site using a tray filled with alginate or polyvinyl siloxane. These impressions are sent to an off-site lab where your custom crown is fabricated. 

It typically takes between 2-3 weeks for the technicians to create the restoration, during which time your implant site has time to heal from the abutment placement. 

• Placing the Crown 

When your crown is ready, you’ll return for your final appointment. The crown will be placed on the abutment and checked for fit and bite alignment. Once you and your dentist are satisfied with the fit and placement, the crown is cemented in place.

Restore Your Smile With Dental Implants From Dental Spot

If you are wondering how long does it take to get a dental implant, the total treatment length can vary depending on the condition of your oral health, the number of dental implants you need, and your immune system, which can impact your healing timeline. 

The best way to accurately determine how long it will take to restore your smile is to call Dental Spot to schedule an appointment. Our dental team can create a personalised dental implant treatment plan with your projected recovery timeline. Contact us on (02) 9158 6115 or fill out our online form to book your consultation. 

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.