Did you undergo a tooth extraction and are curious when you can begin with the tooth implant process after extraction?
Getting rid of a rotten tooth can be relieving, however the gap left may be concerning. Several dental treatment options can help you fix your dental gaps like dental bridges, implants, partial dentures etc. Although there are several options to fill the gap dental implants offer a long-lasting solution.
Although dental implants provide the most realistic and long-lasting solution to fix your missing teeth you might need to wait for some time. However, the latest implants can be placed on the same day of teeth extraction.
Let us understand more about the tooth implant process after extraction.
What Are The Different Approaches Of Tooth Extraction And Implant Placement?
The wait time to get dental implants varies depending on factors such as your overall health and the type of tooth extraction. Let us understand the types of tooth extraction for implants.
- Simple Extraction Technique:
During a simple extraction technique, your dentist uses forceps and an elevator tool to loosen and lift the tooth out of the dental socket gently.
This type of extraction method is typically used in cases where your dentist is sure that he/she can extract the entire tooth as one piece under the effect of local anesthesia.
If you get your teeth extracted using this method you need to wait for a couple of weeks to undergo dental implants.
- Surgical Extraction Technique:
When your dentist needs to remove a tooth that can’t come out in one piece, they use a surgical extraction technique. This involves making a small incision in the gums and sometimes splitting the tooth into smaller pieces to gently remove each fragment. This method, while a bit more involved, actually reduces trauma to the surrounding tissue and helps promote faster healing. Due to its complexity, surgical extractions typically require general anesthesia.
Once the troublesome tooth is out, your dentist can move on to placing dental implants. The number of implants needed depends on how many teeth were extracted. A single missing tooth will be replaced with one implant, while multiple extractions might require two implants for a dental bridge or several implants for an implant-supported denture.
What Are The Different Approaches To Get Dental Implants?
There are three main approaches for placing dental implants after an extraction, which mainly depend on the bone mass in your jaw. Consideration of jaw bone mass is crucial because the implant needs to fuse, or osseointegrate, with the bone to be stable.
The three dental implant placement approaches are:
- Immediate Post-Extraction Dental Implant Placement:
As the name suggests, immediate post-tooth extraction implant placement means getting your dental implants right after your teeth are extracted.
During this procedure, both the extraction and implant placement happen in one go. Generally prefer this approach, however, it only works if you have enough bone mass to support the implant at the time of extraction.
Immediate implants are best suited for front teeth, like incisors, canines, or premolars, because they have a single root. However, not everyone is a good candidate for this procedure.
- Delayed Immediate Post-Tooth Extraction Dental Implant Placement:
Besides getting your implants right after an extraction, you can opt for delayed immediate post-extraction implant placement. This means your implants are placed within 2 weeks to 3 months after your teeth are removed.
This period allows the gums and bone to heal and any lingering infections, like those from tooth decay or gum disease, to clear up.
Your dentist might suggest this method if you’re replacing a molar since molars have more than one root. However, to minimize bone loss, it’s best to place the implants before the 3-month mark.
- Late Implantation:
The placing of implants long after an extraction is called the late implantation approach. This is used when there isn’t enough bone mass to support an implant right after the tooth is removed.
In such cases, your dentist might need to perform additional procedures like a bone graft or sinus lift to build up the bone first. These bone grafts are typically done after the extraction and need time to heal, usually about 3-6 months, to allow new bone to form.
Once there’s enough bone, the implants can be placed, which is generally around 3-6 months after the extraction.
Conclusion:
After undergoing a tooth extraction, it’s natural to be eager to restore your smile with dental implants. While the gap left by a missing tooth can be concerning, dental implants offer a long-lasting and realistic solution compared to other options like dental bridges or partial dentures.
However, the timing of your implant placement depends on several factors, including your overall health and the type of extraction you had.
Immediate Post-Extraction Placement can offer instant results but requires sufficient bone mass and is typically best for front teeth. Delayed Immediate Placement allows for initial healing and is ideal for molars, needing a 2-week to 3-month wait. Late Implantation is necessary when bone mass is insufficient, involving additional procedures like bone grafts and a healing period of 3-6 months before implants can be placed.
If you are looking for a dental implant specialist but are not able to find them do not worry. Our team will help you find a good dental implant specialist near your area that offers the best services at affordable prices.
