When Is the Perfect Time to Get an Implant?

When is the perfect time to get a dental implant? It may seem like a simple question with a simple answer, but you might be surprised at how many people ignore missing teeth. When you lose a tooth, it may cause some irritation and you might be embarrassed at how it looks, but eventually you might let it be.

This can cause serious problems with the rest of your mouth. Simply put, the best time to get a dental implant is now. Too many negative things can happen to your other teeth and your jawbone if you let a missing tooth go untreated.

The Consequences of a Missing Tooth

When you lose a tooth, the first thing you typically think about is how unappealing the empty spot looks. Most people with missing teeth feel uncomfortable with their smiles, which is often a factor that is motivating enough to seek treatment.

What you don’t see is happening under the surface of your gums, where your tooth’s roots used to be. A tooth is used for a lot more than just chewing up food. Teeth are not only essential for eating, but they are also necessary for proper speech. A tooth also holds all of the other teeth around it in line.

Without that structure, your other teeth will start to move around and your jawbone can even start to decay. This can obviously cause a whole bunch of problems with your overall oral health, which is why you’ll want to get a missing tooth treated right away.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are basically replacements for your tooth’s roots. They are most commonly made out of titanium in a rod shape. This rod of titanium is inserted into your jawbone and then a replica of your tooth will be screwed on top of the rod. The titanium replaces the roots and provides necessary structure and the tooth replica restores the aesthetics and function of your mouth.

The Procedure

Another to get your dental implants done quickly is because the procedure can take quite some time. First, you will visit with your dentist or oral surgeon for a consultation appointment. During this consultation, your dentist will examine your mouth and take X-rays to get a good idea of what you’ll need. After making a plan, your dentist will discuss timelines and pricing with you. When you hear this plan, you will then need to make a decision if it’s right for you.

The rest of the procedure often takes place in stages:

• First, the dentist will surgically implant the titanium rod into your jawbone and gums.
• Then, your gums will need to heal.
• The next stage involves your dentist inspecting the surgical site to make sure the implant is taking hold and staying put. If everything looks okay, your dentist will attach an abutment to the implant that sticks out over the gums. This is where the new tooth will sit.
• Once the abutment is in place, you’ll go through another waiting period with the surgical site heals and the bone takes hold of the implant. If everything goes well after this time, you will receive the prosthetic tooth and be on your way.

Time is of the Essence

As you may have noticed, getting a dental implant isn’t as simple as a one-hour procedure. It can often take months of healing and readjustments before you are actually ready for the replacement tooth. As such, you’ll want to make sure you get an implant as soon as possible in order to promote a healthy mouth.