Full Mouth Dental Implants Recovery Time

How long does it take to recover from dental implants?

Dental implants are a permanent method that is commonly used to replace the teeth. While the treatment involves both a surgical and prosthetic component, the surgical component will require adequate time to heal. One of the most common questions patients who are considering the procedure have is, what is the expected recovery time from dental implants?

The following includes some quick facts regarding the recovery process for dental implants:

  1. Many patients return to work a day after the procedure and in some cases, the same day.
  2. Over-the-counter pain medications are usually adequate for alleviating any discomfort.
  3. On average, the healing time for a dental implant is about four to six months. This allows for complete healing to occur before the crown is placed.

The estimated healing time for placing a dental implant is a complex process which can vary drastically for each patient. This article will review some of the common factors which can influence the healing time for dental implants.

Medications

While it is considered to be a surgical procedure, the placement of an implant is a relatively minor surgical procedure. As a result, it has a very quick recovery time. The procedure typically only requires patients to take an over-the-counter medication such as Ibuprofen for any discomfort. Patients will usually have their sutures removed about 14 days following their surgery before they can return to their normal daily living.

Osseointegration

The dental implant is placed in the bone in order to replace the root portion of the tooth and act as a strong foundation. When the implant is placed, it can take a few months for osseointegration to occur. Osseointegration is derived from the Greek word, “osteon” or bone, and the Latin word, “integrate” or to make whole. The term is used to describe the direct structural and functional connection between the living bone and the surface of a load-bearing artificial implant. The implant process allows the bone to fuse to the implant and is stable enough to secure a tooth. Unfortunately, this process must occur naturally and cannot be expedited. In most cases, the process takes about 2-4 months to complete. Once osseointegration has occurred, the crown can be attached to the dental implant and you can begin chewing on the implant and using it without any issues.

Special Scenarios

For patients who experience a failing tooth which requires extraction, the implant process will take longer. The dentist will need to wait to for the bone to heal before the implant can be replaced to restore the tooth. In many cases, a bone graft is placed in the tooth socket in order to hold the bone open. This makes it easier to place the implant in the future.

In rare cases, the implant is placed on the same day when the tooth is extracted. This works well for patients because it helps save healing time and the patient receives the implant more quickly. Not all patients are candidates for the immediate placement of the implant. Your dentist can evaluate your specific situation and help determine if you may be a candidate for an immediate implant.

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