You often don’t appreciate what you’ve got until it’s gone—this is certainly true when it comes to tooth loss. It’s natural to want to replace it right away, especially with a dental implant, the most advanced solution. However, the timing doesn’t always work out that way. How soon after a tooth is extracted can you proceed with the implant placement?
There are generally three potential timetables for this procedure following tooth extraction, but first you must understand the aspects of your case that could decide when you can move forward with an implant.
Requirements for Implant Placement
Before determining the timeframe of your implant placement, your dentist considers several factors, including how much bone density you have in your jaw, whether you have a generally healthy smile, and your overall health. If one or multiple of these are not quite right, your implant may be postponed until the problem is resolved. Without checking for these requirements first, you risk implant failure.
Immediately After Extraction
In some situations, placing a dental implant can occur practically right after a tooth is extracted. This immediate response usually happens after losing a tooth due to an injury. As long as the gum tissue is strong and the jawbone is healthy and robust, the implant can be placed immediately after the tooth has been removed.
Soon After Extraction
For many patients, the implant cannot be surgically inserted right away. Whether time is needed to recover from an infection or tissue damage, the placement procedure may have to wait. However, about half of the jawbone loss that commonly occurs with tooth loss takes place within three months. As a result, in what’s called early implant placement, the surgery must happen before the three month mark to avoid needing a bone graft or other procedures to increase the chances of success.
Long After Extraction
If you have infected gums or the tooth has been badly decayed, you likely require more time to heal and recover. In this case, other treatments will probably need to be performed first, such as gum disease therapy. At minimum, a bone graft is likely necessary to bolster the jawbone, and this procedure takes about three to four months to recover from. After that point, the implant placement procedure can take place.
Even if the timing of your implant placement doesn’t occur when you want it to, your dentist has your best interest at heart. They can work with you to determine how soon after extraction the placement procedure can safely happen so that you have successful implants and a complete smile again.
About the Practice
At Maple Dental, we are proud to partner with local oral surgeons and experts when it comes to dental implants. During your implant consultation with Dr. Gary Markovits or Dr. Shannon Abel, they will check for any impediments that could stand in your way of getting your tooth replaced as quickly as possible. To meet with us and discuss your case, you can contact our White Plains office online or by calling 914-948-8898.