How Long After Pulling A Tooth Can You Get An Implant?

Nov 02, 2022

Missing teeth can happen for several reasons, including tooth decay, gum disease, dental trauma, and even natural aging. While it might seem non-harmful, losing teeth can significantly impact your bite function, speech, appearance, confidence, and oral health.  Fortunately, tooth replacement for missing teeth can help you avoid all these issues. These can include dentures, dental implants, and bridges. While all these treatments can effectively close gaps caused by missing teeth, dental implants are perhaps the most natural-looking, most permanent, and efficient solution for a lost tooth.

What Happens After Tooth Loss?

After losing teeth, the lack of chewing stimulation in the underlying jawbone can cause it to deteriorate or weaken over time. Unfortunately, this may disqualify you from dental implant surgery. Enough jawbone density is required to hold a dental implant sufficiently. In such a case, you might need additional procedures like bone grafting to repair and rebuild the jawbone to qualify for the implant.

Similarly, teeth gaps cause increased chewing pressure to the adjacent teeth, which can cause them to shift crookedly towards the gap, causing further complications like TMD. That said, you should replace missing teeth as soon as possible. Many people might wonder how soon you should book your dental implant appointment. Our prosthodontist in Calgary can answer all your questions about dental implants.

Are You a Good Candidate For Dental Implants?

While dental implants are safe and effective, not all candidates are eligible. Therefore, if you’re considering dental implants, you must speak to a prosthodontist near me to determine whether you’re a good candidate. You’ll likely qualify for dental implants if you:

• Have enough and healthy jawbone
• Have lost a tooth or teeth
• Have generally good oral and overall health
• Have excellent oral hygiene habits
• Don’t smoke or are ready to quit smoking

How Soon After Tooth Extraction Can You Have an Implant?

Generally, how long you can wait to get an implant after extraction depends on several factors like the health of the surrounding gums and jawbone, your oral health, general health, and your preferences. Typically, implant placement surgeries have three categories:

• Immediate implant placement. In this case, the surgeon places the implant post on the same day as the tooth extraction. This procedure requires you to have healthy gums and jawbone structures. The implant fuses with the jawbone in the osseointegration process. After about 3 months, they attach an abutment and dental crowns Calgary.
• Early implant placement or immediate-delayed implant placement. In this case, you’ll wait about 2-3 months after extraction to allow the gums and jawbone to heal or treat any infection. After placing the implant post, you’ll wait 3 months to heal before placing the abutment and artificial tooth.
• Delayed implant placement. The procedure takes place after more than three months following tooth extraction. It might be necessary for if other oral issues are present, such as severe gum disease, infection or jawbone damage. You must address existing oral problems before placing a dental implant. Once the jawbone has healed, the dentist will insert the implant post, which takes about 3 months to heal. Lastly, they will place the abutment and outer crown.

Tips to avoid unnecessary delays

Fortunately, several things can help avoid delayed implant placement surgeries, including:

• See your dentist sooner. Let your dentist know if you’re considering a dental implant as soon as possible. If possible, before tooth extraction.
• Maintain excellent oral health. Brushing and flossing daily and routine dental visits will keep your teeth, jawbone, and mouth healthy, reducing the chances of infections and delays when getting an implant.
• Avoid tobacco. Smoking increases your risk of oral concerns like gum disease and oral cancer, which can cause delays during your implant treatment.
• Maintain good overall health. Unmanaged health conditions like diabetes can disqualify or delay your dental implant surgery.

Schedule an appointment today

Are you interested in dental implants near you? Contact Northwest Prosthodontics for more information.