Can I Get a Dental Implant the Same Day as Extraction?
06.06.2024
Curious about dental implants? This is fast becoming the restoration of choice for patients who want a permanent replacement for a missing tooth. The procedure involves placing a small titanium screw into the jaw bone and allowing this to heal. As the jaw bone bonds to the implant, this provides a solid anchor for a dental restoration that looks, feels and functions like a natural tooth.
Since the first step in the procedure involves creating a hole in the jaw bone to house the implant, you might be wondering if you skip a step and place the impact directly into the extraction site. In this blog, we’ll explore the practicalities of using your extraction site for your dental implant.
What is the dental implant procedure?
The dental implant procedure takes place over multiple procedures. The first is to make a pocket in the jaw bone where the implant is placed. The bone will heal around the implant and create a solid anchor foundation for the abutment and final restoration.
The jaw bone and gums will need to heal between each stage, so the entire process could take 3-6 months, depending on how long it takes you to heal. Healing times could be extended if you have multiple dental implant sites.
Do I have to wait after an extraction to get dental implants?
Some dentists will place an implant in the extraction site while others will prefer to wait for the site to heal before moving forward with treatment. It all depends on the individual patient and the reason for the extraction. It may also be possible to place a bone graft at the extraction site and allow this to heal to help boost bone density ahead of the final restoration.
Waiting for your extraction site to heal will give you time to think about the restoration options available to you and will also ensure that the tissue is in the best possible condition and health before you move forward.
How long will my extraction take to heal?
How long your extraction takes to heal will depend on a number of factors, including:
The health of the tooth that has been extracted. A damaged or decaying tooth might lead to inflammation of the tissue surrounding it, which could mean it takes longer to heal.
The size of the tooth. A large tooth with lots of roots will take longer to heal than a simple tooth with just one root. This is simply because the size of the hole is much larger.
Your body’s ability to heal. Some people simply heal faster than others.
In general, you can expect the gum around the extraction site to close after around 7-10 days. With a larger tooth extraction site, healing time could be up to three weeks. The time taken for the jaw bone to completely heal will be much longer. This could take up to three months. After this time, you can then start to think about your restoration options.
Which treatments are different?
The treatment plan may be different for specialist implants such as zygomatic implants or All-On-4 dental implants. These implant types are not placed into the jaw like a tooth root, instead they are longer implants that are angled to allow for a same-day restoration. This treatment plan could allow for same-day dental implant placement if the tissue is otherwise healthy.
Ready to start your dental implant journey?
If you’re thinking about dental implants following an extraction, get in touch with our team to learn more about how we can help you.