A lost tooth not only creates a noticeable space in your smile but it may also make chewing difficult. While there are many choices available in Wichita Falls to replace missing teeth, dental implants are by far the most practical and durable option. 

You will feel totally overwhelmed when you understand how dental implants work to restore lost teeth. Some individuals might find the timeline anxious due to its excessive duration and invasive nature. However, is there a way to receive dental implants right after tooth extractions? For more information, contact a Wichita Falls cosmetic dentist.

Can you get dental implants right after tooth extraction?

A typical dental implant treatment can be time-consuming to complete. The treatment generally begins with a procedure called extraction. After that, you must recover for approximately three months before moving on to the next phase of treatment. A tooth extraction technique is then followed by implantation surgery. It takes a further three to four months for your jawbone to heal after the dentist surgically inserts a titanium metal post. Before receiving any more dental procedures, the implant must have time to fuse with your natural bone structure.

How early can you get implants after extraction?

There are a few different factors that decide how long you must wait between tooth extraction and restoration. These factors impact which of the three primary dental implant surgical procedures you will experience:

• Immediate dental implant placement

If your gums are in excellent health and your jawbone density is sufficient, you can have an implant placed right away after an extraction. Your dentist will quickly insert the titanium plate into your jaw after removing the tooth. After that, it progressively bonds with the bone to form a solid foundation for a dental crown made to design.

• Early dental implant placement

Before the placement of an implant, the gum tissue needs to heal if you lose your tooth due to an infection. The implant must be inserted before the three-month mark, as this is the time when up to half of jawbone loss may occur after tooth extraction. Similar to an immediate implant, the crown is put on after the post has been inserted and given time to bond to your jaw.

• Delayed dental implant placement

You may be experiencing bone loss in your jaw if your tooth has been badly decayed for some time. In such a case, having a tooth extracted may require a bone graft. After roughly six months, your dentist will graft bone material into that specific part of your jaw, strengthening the surrounding bone. The implant can then be surgically inserted.

How can you avoid unnecessary delays?

Although it may not be possible to speed up the implant procedure, there are steps you may take to avoid unnecessary delays. You should:

• Talk to your dentist 

Inform your dentist of your interest in dental implants so that they can start preparations for your treatment. Before your extraction, try to figure out what options you have for restoring your lost teeth.

• Take good care of your dental health.

You may decrease the chance that an infection or other issue will delay your implant treatment by exercising strict oral hygiene and paying close attention to post-op instructions after your extraction.

• Stop smoking

Dental implants are not always incompatible with smokers. It does, however, raise the possibility of gum disease and other serious problems relating to oral health.

• Take care of other health issues.

Make all efforts to take control of any chronic conditions, such as diabetes, so they do not adversely affect the way you receive treatment for implants.

Conclusion

It is hard to figure out how long it will take to get a dental implant after an extraction. You can be sure that your determination will be rewarded when the gap in your smile is ultimately gone for good, even if you are waiting a few months!