Are you unhappy about the gaps in your smile? Maybe you’ve been missing a tooth for some time or recently lost a tooth to decay, gum disease or injury. If so, you may be ready for a stable and durable solution to achieve a perfect, gap-free smile. 

Now, dental implants which are a popular tooth replacement solution may be on the top of your mind. However, you may be concerned about the extended treatment timeline for dental implants or confused about your decision. After all, it’s a significant investment in terms of not just money, but also time and commitment. 

In this article, we’ll take you through all you need to know about dental implant treatment timelines and show why this procedure is worth the wait. 

Factors Affecting Treatment Time 

Well, here’s the thing – when it comes to dental implants, the time it takes to go from having gaps in your teethto a complete smile varies from person to person. 

While the procedure can be quite speedy, the entire treatment process – from start to finish – can take much longer. We’re talking months because your dental implant needs enough time to heal and fuse with your mouth. 

Here are some factors affecting treatment duration:

• Type of Implant Procedure: The complexity of the implant procedure can impact treatment time. For instance, All-on-4® dental implant placement may take longer than single dental implants. 

• The Number of Implants Needed: The number of teeth you’re missing ( just one, a few or almost all) will also affect the treatment timeline. 

• The Location of Implant Placement: Where the implants are placed in your mouth can make a difference. 

• Oral Health: Patients with existing oral health issues may require additional treatments to be eligible for implant placement, thus, extending the overall timeline. For instance, if you have gum disease, our team will first provide periodontal treatment to address the issue.

• Bone Density: Adequate bone density is key for dental implant success. If you don’t have enough bone density, we may perform a bone graft to increase the volume and density of your jawbone. While this procedure ensures long-term implant success, it will however increase the length of treatment. 

• Health and Lifestyle Factors: Your overall health and lifestyle can also affect healing and recovery. Habits such as smoking and alcohol consumption and medical conditions such as diabetes can cause complications and prolong your treatment timeline. 

While you may be impatient to restore your smile, the bottom line is that treatment times may vary depending on your specific needs and other factors. 

Dental Implant Treatment Timeline

When considering dental procedures, especially one that requires a significant investment like dental implants, it’s only natural for you to know all the necessary information like timelines. Therefore, simply hearing that treatment time may vary would not be enough for you. And we get it.  

So, here’s a typical timeline for a dental implant procedure with a step-by-step breakdown of your implant journey: 

• Initial Consultation and Treatment Planning: Your implant journey will begin with a 40-minute consultation where we will assess your oral health, get to know you and understand your specific needs. Based on these, we will craft a personalised treatment plan tailored to your needs. 

• Diagnostic Imaging and Digital Planning: Our dentist will then utilise advanced digital imaging like 3D CBCT scans to plan the placement of your implants. 

• Preparatory Treatments: Before the implant procedure even begins, we will perform preparatory treatments like extractions and bone grafting if needed. A bone graft can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months (or even longer) to fully heal. 

• Implant Surgery: The implant post will be surgically inserted into your jawbone under local anaesthesia. This procedure typically takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour for each implant. However, it can take longer depending on the complexity of your case. 

• Healing Period: Once the implant is placed, it will undergo osseointegration, where your implant fuses with the jawbone. This process typically takes about 3 to 6 months, during which we will monitor your progress very closely. 

• Abutment Placement: The abutment which connects the implant post and your final restoration will be attached in a short procedure that lasts about 1 - 2 hours. Following this, your gums will need about 2 - 6 weeks to heal around the abutment. 

• Restoration Placement: Once healing is complete, we will complete your smile with your final replacement teeth in a short procedure that takes about 30 minutes to an hour. This final step often happens about 3 - 9 months after implant placement. 

When you visit us for a consultation, our implant dentist will provide a personalised plan and exact timeline after considering factors such as your oral and overall health and bone density. 

So, are dental implants worth the wait? They sure are! 

While 9 months may seem like a long time, the benefits they provide for your smile and life – from durability to functionality and improved confidence – far outweigh the investment and the wait. 

As they say, good things take time and at Brisbane Implants, each step has been carefully planned to give you a lifetime of confidence and comfort.