Getting any kind of dental procedure can feel like a strain on your schedule. Dental implants in Oxnard, CA, tend to take the most amount of time to complete. However, a majority of the treatment time is spent healing at home, meaning you don’t have to miss out much on work, school, or family. For many patients, the full treatment time for implants takes around three to six months. But you may need more or less time depending on a few different factors.
What Impacts the Timing of Dental Implants in Oxnard, CA
Implants can be extremely beneficial for restoring tooth loss, but they are among the most complex and invasive dental procedures. The timing of your implant process could be affected by a variety of factors, such as any pretreatment needs and your body’s natural healing abilities. Prior to starting treatment, your dentist can help provide you with an estimated schedule for treatment. However, this schedule may need to change as you progress through each step.
Pretreatment
Not every patient will be ready for implants right away. If you have gum disease or loss of bone density, for example, you could have a higher risk of implant failure. After examining your oral health, your dentist may recommend pretreatment as part of the implant process. Pretreatment could include procedures such as periodontal therapy or bone grafting. These treatments could help improve your oral health and increase the chances of a successful implant.
Healing Time
For most patients, the longest part of the implant process is the healing time after surgery. Once your dentist surgically places the implant post, it’s crucial that you allow enough time for your gums to heal and for the implant to integrate with your jaw bone. This helps provide the additional stability that makes implants so popular. The exact amount of time you need to wait can vary. Typically, your dentist will schedule a follow-up about three months after your surgery to assess the implant site. If everything is healed and stable, you can move on to the final restoration. If not, your dentist will schedule another follow-up to reassess in the future.
Number of Implants
How many implants you’re getting could also affect how long the process takes. Generally, patients who only need a single dental implant tend to complete treatment sooner than patients who need multiple implants. However, getting multiple implants doesn’t always mean longer treatment. How many implants you need, where they are located, and what kind of restoration they need can affect the overall treatment time.
At Beach Cities Dental Group, we understand how taxing a lengthy dental procedure can be. That’s why we work hard to provide full-service implant treatment in our office, from initial consultation to finished restoration. Call us today at (805) 312-9164 to schedule an appointment and see if dental implants are right for you.