Have you become increasingly interested in selecting dental implants to replace the teeth you have lost? If so, you have likely already discovered that this prosthetic solution requires surgery, recovery, and works differently than noninvasive options. The good news is that the benefits are immense. The not-so-great news is that you may feel unsure about moving forward with your tooth replacement because you don’t know how this decision will impact your general day-to-day life. Let’s explore implants and time requirements with a brief but helpful Q&A session.
Q&A: Implants
Question: How long does placement take?
Answer: You will need a single appointment for your dental implant placement. The entire placement may take up to approximately two hours, though it can take as little as an hour.
Question: How long is recovery?
Answer: This will vary from patient to patient. For some, recovery may require a few months. For others, recovery time may require up to six months. Keep in mind that a small portion of this time will include the healing of your gum tissue. The bulk of recovery occurs as the dental implant and your jawbone tissue fuse together throughout a process known as “osseointegration.” The two essentially bond to become one.
Question: How often will I need replacements?
Answer: In most instances, you will keep your implants for life. This is because your dental implant and your jaw tissue fuse together. Unless you fail to care for your teeth and gums, the implant should be successful. However, you may need to repair or replace the restoration (crown, bridge, or denture) as frequently as every five years, though they can last much longer.
ABOUT YOUR LONGVIEW, TX, DENTISTS
At DentaCare Dental in Longview, TX, we focus on advanced technology, education, and comfort to offer every patient a pleasant experience and excellent dental care. To schedule a consultation, call our Longview, TX, office today at (903) 758-5921. For optimal convenience, we also serve patients at our other location in Tyler, TX.