How Soon After a Tooth Extraction Can I Get a Dental Implant?

If you have recently gotten a damaged tooth removed, you’re probably interested in replacing it quickly. A missing tooth not only creates a noticeable gap in your grin, but it can also make chewing difficult. There are plenty of options these days for replacing missing teeth, but dental implants are the most realistic and long-lasting solution by far. Essentially, dental implants look and feel like you’d never lost a tooth at all! But how long do you have to wait to get a dental implant after a tooth extraction? Keep reading to find out.

What Happens After a Tooth Is Lost?

After your dentist removes your tooth, you’ll notice an empty space that feels unnatural. However, tooth loss also results in changes that can take a while for you to notice. Without stimulation from the roots of a tooth, the underlying jawbone starts to deteriorate. Jawbone loss can create less support for remaining teeth, increasing the risk that they’ll need to be extracted as well.

Additionally, the teeth on either side of the gap will begin to drift. Not only can this create aesthetic concerns, but it can impair your ability to properly chew. Your bite may become so misaligned that you develop temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder or a chronic teeth grinding habit.

Luckily, dental implants in Dallas can prevent all of these issues.

How Soon Can I Get a Dental Implant After a Tooth Extraction?

The amount of time you have to wait between extracting and replacing a tooth depends on several factors. These variables impact which of the three main types of dental implant surgery you’ll undergo:

Immediate Dental Implant Placement

An implant can be placed right after an extraction if you have healthy gums and sufficient jawbone density. Once the tooth has been removed, your dentist can immediately insert the titanium post into your jaw. Then, it gradually fuses with the bone to provide a reliable foundation for a custom dental crown.

Early Dental Implant Placement

If you lost your tooth because of a gum infection, the tissue must heal before an implant can be placed. Since as much as half of jawbone loss can occur within the first three months after tooth removal, the implant must be placed before three months have passed. As with an immediate implant, the post is inserted and allowed to bond to your jaw before the crown is attached.

Delayed Dental Implant Placement 

If your tooth has been severely decayed for some time, you may already have bone loss in your jaw. In this case, you may require a bone graft following a tooth extraction. Your dentist grafts bone material onto that specific area of your jaw, where it strengthens the bone after about six months. Then, the implant can be surgically placed.

Ask Your Dentist About Dental Implants Today!

If you’ve recently gotten a tooth extraction, or if you’ve been told that you need one, ask your dentist whether a dental implant would be the best solution for you. They can tell you how long you’ll need to wait before receiving your new tooth – and why dental implants in Oak Cliff are worth the wait!

About the Author

At Kessler Park Dental, Dr. Jayme Martinez is qualified to perform every step of the dental implant process, from the surgical placement to the final restoration. He offers sedation options to keep his patients comfortable in the treatment chair, whether they’re getting a tooth extraction, a dental implant, or even a routine cleaning. To learn more about how dental implants can help you, contact Dr. Martinez at 214-303-9969.