If you read our previous post on the life-changing possibilities of dental implants, you might be wondering if there’s any downside whatsoever to these restorations. You are not alone! When a patient at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT decides to go ahead with a dental implant, one of the first things they want to know is how long and arduous the recovery time will be.
Our answer? Recovery is difficult to predict, because every case is different. There are various factors that go into the process, but not all of them apply to each case.
Some of the issues include:
- Failing Teeth: In addition to the lost tooth the dental implant replaces, patients sometimes have unhealthy teeth that need to be removed before the implant goes ahead. That extends the entire process.
- Potential Bone Grafting: If there has been significant bone recession, we’ll need to boost the patient’s bone mass. This is usually done with a graft, which promotes new bone growth.
- Rate of Osseointegration: This is a big phrase that means, quite simply, the process by which the implant post fuses with the bone and the speed at which it happens. We usually allow for about two months, but sometimes it’s faster and sometimes takes longer. Once the post has fused, it is strong enough to support a replacement tooth.
These are the main variables. It may sound like a lot, and sometimes it is. But it’s worth it! A new dental implant looks and functions like a natural tooth, restoring not only your smile, but your ability to bite and chew.
At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT, dental implants can replace a single tooth, or support a full dental arch. People from American Fork and Lehi also come to our office for other cosmetic dentistry options. Contact us today!
Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:
801-374-0070
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604