Why does the dental implant process take so long?What does one do during the interval?

Dental implants,bone/gum implants etc. seem to be good alternatives to dentures. However, if the process takes 18 months from start to finish, isn't that process a bit long?Teeth have to be removed for the implant.What happens to the appearance while one is waiting for a new smile?Wouldn't it be expensive too? What is the axerage price range/cost?

Why does the dental implant process take so long?What does one do during the interval?
a dental implant total costs about 3000/tooth.


you have the tooth pulled, a titanium screw is placed, you are allowed to heal for 6-8wks. after that you will go in to your normal dentist or a prostodontist to have the implant area fitted with an implant supported crown. this involves impressions and then going back two- three weeks later to have the crown cemented on. it shouldn't take 18 months unless you are needing to have a couple bone grafts.


in the mean time, you can have a flipper made to replace the missing teeth (like if it's a front tooth) or just go w/out a tooth in the back.


and by the way, an implant is WAY more predictable than a bridge. if the bridge fails you have to have 2 more teeth pulled or totally lose the bridge. implants never get decay around the edges like a bridge could. implants are forever, bridges are made to last like 15 yrs or a little more, only if you take care of it.
Reply:Great question. I was wondering the same thing. If anyone has anymore info, please let me know. Report It

Reply:The bone has to grow back and that takes time.





The hole stays there.





Consider a bridge. They don't take as long, and are less expensive and look fine. Flossing underneath is a bummer though.





You do know where the bone has to come from, don't you, for the implant? Have you discussed this with your Dentist? Are you going to have a scar on the outside of your mouth, or will all the cutting be on the inside?





I opted for a bridge. I've got one, and I'm going for a second. The implant scared me and the process didn't have as high as of a success rate.





Good luck, get that Novocaine, and IV to get knocked out. Stock up on ice.
Reply:The first part of the process: The tooth is removed


The second part: A screw-like apparatus is inserted into the


socket


***Then you wait at least 6 months to make sure that your body doesn't reject it, and for new tissue to grow around it.





The third part: It gets "capped" (a "tooth" is screwed in)





***Yes, it is expensive, usually around $500-700 per tooth








A bone graft: can be man-made or from a cadaver. Yet, again you have to wait to make sure the body accepts it





A gum graft: tissue is taken from the roof of your mouth and stitched around your tooth to help stop recession (very painful)
Reply:Actually, there are dental implant specialists and centers (check the newspaper, like the Post, Daily News, Newsday) which can extract and put in the post and filling materials all in one day operation. Six months later, they replace the false cap with a real permanent cap.





Caps at these factory type places cost around 3 Gs or sometimes less without any insurance picking up the cost. If =you have some insurance, it will cover extractions, plus sometimes the cap, but rarely anything else. That is because the process is expensive and union dental plans do not want to cover this type of procedure.





Strangely, the will make bridges for a hell of lot less, but bridges sometimes shift around and infections are commonplace.
Reply:The aXerage price will keep going up with inflation so instead of wasting time here; GO TO THE DENTIST. Perhaps had you been doing minimun twice a year visits in the first place you would not now be in this situation. Implants are not for everyone.
Reply:they have to make sure its a good fit... im sure you would have to go in for a fitting every so often until it is perfect
Reply:It takes so long, because they need time for the bone to heal around the implants. Plus it cost around $3000 per tooth, so they don't really just want to slap something in there %26amp; call it good.
Reply:I am a dentist.





18 months is excessively long. There must be some other factors at play here. Was any additional surgery required for placement of the implant, such as bone augmentation, sinus lifts, etc.?





When an implant is placed, a process called "osseointegration" must occur, which is the growth of bone up to the microscopic surface structure of the implant. This process typically takes 3 to 6 months.





As for teeth being removed for the implant, the teeth were likely hopeless to begin with. Nobody removes healthy natural teeth to replace with implants. As far as your appearance, ask for a "flipper".





There's way too much for me to explain here. You need to ask your dentist why it's taking so long.



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