If you have been thinking about teeth replacement options, you have undoubtedly heard about dental implants. These small titanium posts replace the roots of missing teeth and provide a strong, durable foundation for a variety of restorations. Today, our team at LG Dental Centre will explore the dental implants treatment timeline and discuss the wide range of factors that affect it.

Every case is unique

First and foremost, it is important to understand that your dental implants treatment timeline will entirely depend on your specific situation. Some patients only need to replace one missing tooth, while others require full-arch teeth restoration. Because each patient is unique, every treatment plan will be carefully designed and catered to the needs of the individual. Therefore, specific treatment timelines can vary for every case.

Factors affecting your treatment timeline

There are numerous factors that can affect the length of your treatment timeline. Some of the most common include:

• Preparatory procedures: When teeth have been missing for a prolonged period of time, bone atrophy can occur. Patients in this situation often require a bone grafting procedure before the dental implant can be placed. This type of regenerative therapy can add several months to the total treatment timeline.
• Type of restoration: Because of the versatility of dental implants, they can be used to support crowns, bridges, or dentures. The type of restoration chosen for your particular case can have a direct impact on the treatment timeline.
• Healing time: In most cases, a few months of healing is required after the implants have been placed in the jaw. During this time, osseointegration occurs – the process in which the bone tissue fuses to the implant posts. Some patients simply heal faster than others. Therefore, while some may be ready to receive their restoration in as little as three months, others may need to wait upwards of six to nine months.

Basic dental implant treatment timeline

Knowing what to anticipate during the treatment process can help alleviate fears of the unknown. When you undergo dental implant treatment at our practice, you can expect these steps:

• Initial consultation: During your first visit with Dr. Goldstein, he will perform a complete evaluation of your oral health, and ensure you are a candidate for dental implant treatment. X-rays and scans will also be taken so that the underlying bone structures can be assessed.
• Treatment planning: Once all initial information has been gathered, Dr. Goldstein will begin the treatment planning process. Using the scans and x-rays from your initial consultation, he will determine the most appropriate locations in the jaw for your new implants.
• Preparatory procedures: If any prerequisite procedures are recommended, such as bone grafting or sinus lifts – they will be performed first. Depending on the case, this could add anywhere from three to 12 months to the total treatment time.
• Implant placement: Once the jawbone is ready, the implants can be surgically placed. To perform this step, local anesthesia will be administered and a small incision will be made to access the underlying bone ridge. After preparation, the implants will be carefully threaded into the jawbone and the incision will be closed with stitches.
• Healing period: With a few rare exceptions, most patients will need to heal for at least three months while osseointegration takes place.
• Placement of final restoration: When the bone is fully healed and the implants are stable, the final restoration can be attached.

Contact us for more information

If you are considering dental implants, and you would like more information on your personal treatment timeline, schedule a consultation at our Toronto, ON practice. You can call us at 416-224-8300 or contact us online anytime.