Tooth extractions aren’t always ideal, but they can often make way for a positive smile transformation. If you’re planning on replacing your removed tooth with a dental implant, for example, you can expect pristine aesthetics and much improved dental function. Before you can begin dental implant treatment, though, you’ll have to wait for your mouth to fully recover from your extraction. “So,” you might be thinking, “how long will that take?”
Keep reading and get ready to start counting down the days to your smile restoration!
How Tooth Extraction Recovery Works
Extracting a tooth means dislodging it from your jawbone, gums, and connective ligaments and tissue. Needless to say, your body will have a lot of recovery work to do after your pearly white is removed. Even if you feel back to normal within 72 hours, there’s still a lot of healing going on underneath the surface of your gumline. It will take several weeks for a protective blood clot to form over your empty socket and integrate with the tissue around it, and several more for your jawbone to fully recover.
How Dental Implants Can Affect the Process
The first important thing to note is that a successful dental implant treatment requires a strong, adequately dense jawbone. Otherwise, the biocompatible implant post won’t properly fuse with the bone, and your replacement tooth will come loose. It’s crucial to make sure your jawbone is ready to support your dental prosthetic, especially after a tooth extraction.
The second is that you and your dentist will have to do some careful treatment planning. You may require preliminary treatments like gum disease therapy or a gum graft, which could extend your timeline.
Final Answer: You May Have to Wait at Least 10 Weeks
Adding everything up, most patients wanting to get a dental implant replacement after tooth extraction have to wait for at least 10 weeks. Of course, there are exceptions. If you have a clean bill of oral health or a speedy post-extraction recovery, for example, you might be able to restore your smile sooner. In very rare cases, some patients can start dental implant surgery the same day as their extraction!
There are many different factors that go into tooth extraction recovery and dental implant planning. But rest assured; your dentist will work with you closely so you can have a good idea of what sort of timeline to expect. Trust them to guide you through treatment and follow their instructions closely, and you’ll be able to enjoy a fully restored smile in no time!
About the Author
Dr. Jayme Glamm is a highly experienced dentist with advanced training in several treatments, including dental implants. She proudly partners with local specialists so you can be confident in your implant treatment and will keep you well-informed about your expected tooth extraction recovery timeline. Rest assured, Dr. Glamm will restore your smile as soon as possible without compromising the success of your dental implant! To contact her office for a consultation, call 614-487-0112.