The Dental Implant Timeline Can Span Several Months or Just One Day 

If you are considering dental implants, you might be wondering what your treatment will include and how long it will take.

Because every patient has different needs, the dental implant timeline will depend on a variety of factors, including the condition of your smile, what type of implants you receive, and your desired outcomes. Dr. Daniel M. Whiteman offers several different dental implant options for patients in Brookline, MA, to achieve their goals in a convenient timeframe. Because Dr. Whiteman can perform most implant procedures in-house, you can save time by completing your entire treatment at Whiteman Dental Associates rather than traveling between specialists.

Step #1: Your Initial Consultation

During this first meeting, Dr. Whiteman will review your medical history, conduct a dental exam to make sure you are in good oral health, and perform imaging to assess the strength and integrity of your jawbone. He will also discuss the benefits of each type of dental implant with you and explain which one would work best for you. If you are happy with your proposed treatment plan, we can schedule your implant surgery. 

Preparatory Procedures

If your x-rays show that you have bone loss in your jaw, Dr. Whiteman may recommend bone grafting or a sinus lift prior to implant surgery. These procedures are usually performed three to six months prior to implant surgery to give the bone time to heal with the graft and create a stable foundation for your implants.   

Mini dental implants can usually be placed without prior bone grafting, so they are a great option for patients who want to make their treatment timeline as short as possible. In some cases, Dr. Whiteman can use mini dental implants to perform Teeth in a Day treatment. For patients who are missing a full arch of teeth, we also offer All-on-4® treatment. All-on-4 can also be completed without bone grafting, so it delivers relatively fast results and patients can usually go home with a temporary denture on the same day of surgery. 

Step #2: Dental Implant Surgery Takes Place Three to Six Months Later 

Once you are healed from any preparatory procedures, Dr. Whiteman will schedule your implant surgery. Although the actual length of your procedure will depend on how many implants you are receiving, most surgeries can be completed in one to two hours. 

Dental implant surgery is an outpatient procedure, so most patients can go home immediately after treatment. If you chose Teeth in a Day or All-on-4 as your treatment, you can typically go home with a temporary restoration on the same day of surgery. 

At Whiteman Dental Associates, we have various implant options available and to suit your needs, goals, and time constraints. While some implant treatments can be completed in a day, others will take several months and several appointments to complete.

Step #3: Recovery Lasts Another Three to Six Months 

Over the next three to six months, your dental implants will begin the process of osseointegration. Osseointegration is the biological process during which implant fuse with the surrounding jawbone. The process is vital to the success of your implants. 

Step #4: Placement of Abutments

Three to six months later, you will come back to our office to receive your abutments during a second minor surgical procedure. Abutments are the anchors that connect your implants to your new dental crown, dental bridge, or denture. 

Step #5: Healing Period

Once the abutments are attached, you will need another several weeks to recover. Once you are completely healed, you can return to the office so that we can take impressions for your custom permanent restoration.

Step #6: Attachment of Restoration

Once your restoration has been fabricated, you can return for your final appointment. Before permanently affixing the restoration, Dr. Whiteman will test it to make sure it fits in comfortably into your smile. 

Get an Accurate Timeline Estimate Today 

Because dental implant treatment can span several months, it is a considerable time commitment. But for patients who qualify, All-on-4 or Teeth in a Day can help you shorten your treatment timeline. At Whiteman Dental Associates, we have various implant options available to suit your needs, goals, and time constraints. While some implant treatments can be completed in a day, others will take several months and several appointments to complete. The only way to get an accurate timeline is to visit Whiteman Dental Associates today. Schedule a consultation online or call us at (617) 731-4746.