What’s The Timeline for a Dental Implant?

Dental implants are an effective and natural-looking solution for individuals with missing teeth. It is, however, a process that involves carefully planned steps with our restorative dentist in Fort Lauderdale, FL, to ensure success.

What Is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is a titanium post that goes into the jawbone to replace missing teeth. The post serves as the roots that hold a crown, bridge, or denture in place.

What Is the Timeline for a Dental Implant?

Getting a dental implant begins with a consultation with our dentist in Fort Lauderdale, FL, to determine if you are a suitable candidate and decide what pre-treatments you might need. Pre-treatments would include extracting a tooth and grafting bone to shore up the jaw. If you do need pre-treatments, they can add several months to the implant timeline.

Placement of the Implant

The next step is the surgical placement of the dental implant. An oral surgeon will place the post in the jawbone. Once in place, it takes three to six months for it to fuse with the bone and become stable enough to hold the artificial tooth.

Abutment

The restorative dentist will place an abutment on top of the post once the bone heals. This is a small connector that helps secure the prosthetic tooth in place.

Dental Impressions

After the placement of the abutment, our dentist will take impressions, usually digital, of the upper and lower jaws. These images help create a custom restoration that fits your needs.

Final Step

The final step is to attach the restoration to the abutment and post. Once in place, you may need a few follow-up appointments to ensure the implant is holding and the restoration is successful.

Getting a dental implant can be a lengthy process, but it is well worth the effort. If you believe an implant is right for you, please call our office today to schedule a consultation with our dentist in Fort Lauderdale, FL.