It can seem daunting when people hear about the length of a dental implant procedure in Australia. However, this will likely not be the case if you thoroughly understand the timeline.
Dental implant procedures timeline vary from patient to patient. It takes anywhere from six months to over a year. This timeline depends on whether you must undergo additional procedures like a bone graft to prepare for implant placement.
Belmont Dental Surgery is equipped with highly skilled and experienced dentists who carefully explain your procedure. If you have any concerns, call us, and we will be happy to assist.
- A dental implant procedure takes three months to over a year to complete.
- The procedure is straightforward, as your dentist will provide you with a custom treatment plan.
- Your lifestyle choices after the procedure will determine its success.
- Your dentist will provide ongoing care after the procedure to monitor your healing.
Table of Contents
What Is A Dental Implant Procedure?
This is a patient’s treatment process to get their dental implants placed.
A dental implant is a vital option that features a screw like a titanium or zirconia implant into a patient’s jawbone. The implant then supports and secures an artificial crown or a full arch of a dental prosthesis.
The procedure is quite effective for people who have lost their teeth or whose tooth damage has reached a severe level. Your dentist will extract any damaged teeth if necessary. Then have a bone graft or sinus lift performed if your jawbone density has deteriorated.
Dental implants can be placed single for a missing tooth, multiples for several missing teeth, or full mouth for a full mouth restoration.
What Are The Procedures For Dental Implants?
Initial Consultation
You may have the option for a virtual consultation, but it’ll still be necessary to visit the dental clinic for certain exams.
Your dentist will look at your dental and medical history. They will perform X-rays and 3D CT scans to confirm that you are suitable for dental implants. Following this, the dentist will create your treatment plan, which will include an estimated duration for your procedure.
Placing the Dental Implant
This second stage features the placement of your implants. Your jawbone has to be strong at this stage. So, before this step, you may undergo a bone grafting procedure, where the bone is stimulated to grow.
Your dentist will then make a cut across your gum line, make a hole, and carefully fit the implants into your jawbone.
Abutment Placement
The abutment secures your dental prosthesis to your dental implants. If you are undergoing a one-stage surgery, the abutment will be placed on the same day as the implant.
However, a two-stage surgery involves placement of the abutment \on a different day. Sometimes, a temporary abutment is placed to allow for healing before the final one is installed.
Fitting Dental Crown
Your dentists will continue to monitor your recovery and osseointegration process. Once the bone has integrated with the implant, you will be brought in to have your permanent tooth prosthesis placed.
It may be an implant-retained denture fixed bridge; regardless, it is here that your dentist will check for a need for any adjustments and modifications. Once the dental crown has been fitted, you can go home with your confident-looking smile.
Ongoing Care
Dental implants have a whopping 98% success rate, which is quite impressive. However, your recovery process is still affected by certain lifestyle choices.
At Belmont Dental, we monitor your healing process and give you dental implant aftercare instructions to increase your chances of dental implant success. We ensure that you continue to use them in good working condition for years to come.
What to Expect During Your Procedure
Your dentist will administer a local anesthetic at every surgery during your treatment process. So you shouldn’t worry about pain during the implant placement.
However, Belmont Dental Surgery offers an option called sleep dentistry if you have dental anxiety or phobia. This treatment puts you in a calm and relaxed state during your procedure, and you may not even remember it once it is completed.
You can choose laughing gas, oral sedation, or IV sedation. In extreme cases, you will be administered general anesthesia, making you unconscious during the surgery. Only highly trained and advanced dental professionals can perform this treatment.
How Long Does A Dental Implant Procedure Take?
The duration of your dental implant procedure depends on several factors. Some are the type of implants or even the dentist performing the procedure.
However, you can expect the timeline to last anywhere from 6 months to over a year. As mentioned earlier, any additional procedures like bone grafting will contribute to the duration of your procedure.
What To Expect After A Dental Implant?
If you underwent sedation, you might not be able to go home by yourself. We suggest getting a trusted friend or family member to take you home. Your dentist will likely give you care after caring that revolves around the following:
- They will place a gauze in your mouth for about an hour to seize the lead. However, if bleeding persists at home, leave a gauze in your mouth for 30 minutes on and off until it stops.
- Eat only soft foods like yogurt or cottage cheese after your surgery to prevent disturbance of the surgical area.
- You can brush your teeth the evening after surgery but avoid touching the site.
- Don’t engage in strenuous activity immediately after your dental implant surgery.
- Use a cold compress to relieve swelling for the first appointment after your treatment, then switch to a cold compress guide for 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off for a whole day.
- Avoid smoking for at least six months after the implant, as it hinders osseointegration.
Dental Implant Recovery Time
You will have to strictly follow the above instructions to aid the healing process and get you the feel and function of your new teeth in no time.
Your dentist will schedule post-operation appointments so that they can check your implants. They will advise you on how to care for them properly and what you should and should not be doing.
After a few months, you will return to eating all your favourite foods and speaking clearly, and your social confidence will have shot up.
FAQ
How Painful Is Getting A Dental Implant?
You will feel no pain during the surgery since your dentist will administer an anesthetic or apply sleep dentistry. For the pain after implant procedure, your dentist will prescribe anti-pain medication.
Can I Go To Work The Day After Dental Implants?
You may have to wait anywhere from 2 days to a week before returning to work. Ask your dentist for instructions specific to your medical factors.
What Are Common Problems With Dental Implants?
Dental implants can fail due to infection, nerve damage, a loose implant, and many other factors. This is why it is important to visit your dentist even after the procedure so they can monitor it.
Are You Put To Sleep During Dental Implant Surgery?
If you have dental anxiety or phobia, your dentist will give you a sedative to put you in a dreamlike state during your surgery.
How Are Dental Implants Done In One Day?
Dental implants are typically not done in one day since even a temporary prosthesis must be placed 3-4 after implant placement. The treatment lasts several months.
