I see a lot of patients who need one or more dental implants, and they often ask me, “Doc, why is this going to take so long?” They’ve seen on TV that you can get same-day dental implants, and they don’t understand why their one or two implants will take six to seven months’ time.
To better understand this scenario, I think it’s important to talk about what exactly you’re getting with same-day dental implants.
How do same-day dental implants work?
Same-day dental implants, or same-day smiles, are essentially four to six implants with a permanent denture. In the dental world, we call this an “all on four” also known as a hybrid denture because the denture is secured by four implants. In this instance, the denture is fixed and cannot be removed by the patient.
This is typically done when the patient is in terminal dentition and their teeth no longer serve them. The dentist removes the teeth and places four to six implants in the same day, as well as a temporary partial denture. This is the smile that the patient leaves with that day. Then, a permanent denture is fabricated while the patient heals.
While this treatment is marketed as a same-day smile, it does take six to eight months for the patient to receive the permanent denture, or hybrid prosthesis.
How long does a dental implant procedure take?
Comparatively, there are several appointments required to place a traditional dental implant. First, the dentist must remove the tooth and place a bone graft, which takes about three months to heal. Once the bone graft has healed, the implant is placed. This is a titanium screw that goes into the jaw and a healing abutment is placed on top of the implant that extends through the gum.
The healing abutment must also heal for three months before the impression can be taken for the final implant restoration. This includes the final abutment and crown, which are placed three weeks after the impression is taken. In total, a traditional dental implant takes between six and seventh months to complete.
Can a dental implant be placed in less than six months?
While there are certainly exceptions to the six-month rule, rushing the sequence to place a dental implant does come with more risk. In my professional opinion, the fastest a dental implant can be placed is three months, and this requires the perfect circumstances.
In this scenario, the dentist will pull the tooth, place a bone graft, and place the implant, temporary abutment and temporary crown in the same day. After three months, the dentist will take an impression for the final abutment and crown and place it a few weeks later.
In addition to requiring the perfect environment, this scenario also requires that the patient not put any pressure on the temporary abutment and crown while it is healing.
Placing an implant in less than six months is the exception, not the rule, and depends largely on your dental health and the health of your bone and gum. If you need a dental implant, talk to your dentist about how long this procedure will take for your case. As with most things in life, rushing through this procedure does come with risks. It’s best to understand those risks and have a realistic expectation of the procedure before you get started.
In need of a dental implant?
Schedule an appointment with our dentist office in Brandon, FL. We’ll be happy to go over your treatment needs and establish a plan that works for you.