How long does it take for me to get a tooth (teeth)?
There are many essential criteria involved in determining the length of healing time required before a tooth (teeth) can be attached to the implant(s) and loaded with chewing forces. The accepted protocol for twenty years has been from three to six month healing time, depending on the location of the implant(s) and the bone quality surrounding the implants(s).
Implants today are being restored much sooner than in the past. Many dental implant companies market their product based on a “faster integration” ability which may be six to 8 weeks. Implants may be restored at any time during the healing phase, however it needs to be understood that there is a level of risk in losing the implant(s). The amount of risk involved again is dependant on many factors such as: bone quaility, number of teeth being replaced, location of the implant(s), number of teeth remaining, medications, uncontrolled diabetes, smoking, overall healing ability, bisphosphonates, incidental trauma, soft vs. harder foods. Given the number of factors and individual patient compliance, it is difficult to quantify the risk or reduced chance of success.
There are times when placing a tooth or teeth has advantages. Nice aesthetic results are often more predictable and attainable by placing a tooth at the time of placement in some cases. This is usually discussed with the patient and is based on yet another list of factors such as: does the patient show the area when smiling, how important is the aesthetic outcome to the pateint, what is the potential difference, etc..