More than 5 million dental implant treatments are performed each year. It is easy to understand why they are so popular.
The fact that implants are not only the closest to your own natural teeth, but also that they are durable for life makes them so popular. The implant procedure is always done in more than one step, but the process will differ from person to person. When tooth extraction is deemed necessary at the beginning of treatment, the common question is: “How long do I have to wait to have a dental implant?”
Read on to learn why extractions can be a necessary first step.
Why is Extraction (Tooth Extraction) Needed Before Having a Dental Implant?
A complete set of teeth is essential to good oral health and allows you to eat, talk and smile with ease. For this reason, dentists always recommend saving natural teeth whenever possible.
But when a tooth cannot be saved, the next best option is to pull it out and replace it with a dental implant. Here are some possible reasons for this:
.severe bruises; Very large cavities destroy most of the tooth structure.
.severe cracks or fractures; Large cracks or fractures, or those that extend vertically or involve the root, often render the tooth unrecoverable.
.injuries; injuries or accidents can also cause irreparable damage.
How Long After Tooth Extraction Can A Dental Implant Be Made?
This varies from person to person and depends on several factors. In some cases, if enough healthy jawbone is available, it may be possible to place a dental implant on the day the tooth was extracted.
However, in most cases, the dentist will recommend waiting 3 to 6 months after tooth extraction to allow the area to heal completely. But if someone chooses to wait longer than that, they will experience more bone loss in the jaw (which naturally occurs when a tooth is extracted). If enough time passes, the jaw may become too thin or weak to support the implant. In these cases, a bone graft may be recommended to restore the strength of the jaw and prepare it for implant.
Removing dental implants is a time-consuming, multi-step process. But the benefits are worth it! You will not only have a healthy smile that looks and feels natural, but you will also have a smile that can last a lifetime.
