Waiting for Dental Implants: How Soon After Extraction Can You Get Them?

Waiting: it can be painful to do when you anticipate something positive. Like a child waiting for Christmas or a birthday, you can feel antsy to get to the good part! Patience is a difficult virtue to develop, even as an adult, especially when you look forward to the result. If you are having your missing teeth replaced, waiting for the final product can be challenging to say the least. In fact, you probably wish you could have the implant placement procedure performed soon—or even immediately—after extraction!

But you may have to wait a little bit longer to have a complete smile again. Find out why by reading the content below.

Typical Timeframe for Implants After Tooth Extraction

Following tooth extraction, it’s customary to allow the site to heal for about two or three months before moving forward with the dental implant surgery. During this period, the dentist can fully assess the patient’s general health, identify and treat any oral infections, or determine if a bone graft is necessary for implant success. After all, proceeding too hastily with implants on a patient who isn’t primed could result in failure.

However, some exceptions to this timeline exist, such as if your gum and bone tissue are both healthy and strong, and you are in good health generally.

Why Dental Implants Are Worth the Wait

If you need to postpone dental implant placement for a couple of months, try not to get discouraged or impatient. Time eventually passes, and dental implants are definitely worth your while. Unlike traditional dentures and bridges, these replacements keep the jawbone strong, preserving your youthful shape and biting force. Plus, the treatment can be extremely efficient. In fact, you can experience the benefits of implants and replace all your teeth with as few as four implants!

In addition, dental implants are much more stable, meaning you won’t have to be concerned about slippage. Rather than feeling self-conscious or hesitant to talk or eat around others, you can have complete confidence. Also, implants last substantially longer than normal restorations—decades longer! Waiting a few more months is nothing compared to a lifetime of enjoying your smile again.

Ultimately, whether you can get dental implants immediately or must be patient, you should seriously consider this option for replacing your missing teeth. If you must wait a while, try to maintain some perspective, and know that you’ll get there! In this case, the saying is true—good things come to those who wait.

About the Practice

Amherst Dental Group only resorts to tooth extraction when it is necessary. However, when it is needed, our dentists have the clinical experience and training to handle the procedure with expertise. At our Williamsville office, we can also place dental implants for full tooth replacement. Would you like to learn more about these advanced services? Contact our team online or call 716-689-8882 to schedule an appointment.