The Dental Implant Timeline

The Dental Implant Timeline

Thinking about getting dental implants in Sarasota from Dr. Robert Miller? Not sure if they’re a good option for you, or wondering how long the process will take? Depending on your oral health, it could take anywhere from 6-12 months or longer to get dental implants. Find out more about the dental implant timeline below!

1. Initial Consultation

The first step of the implant process is to get a consultation with Dr. Robert Miller. He will perform a comprehensive oral exam and assessment to determine if you’re a good candidate for implants. If you’re approved, he will begin creating your implant placement plan right away.

(Optional) Pre-Implant Surgical Treatment

Some patients may require additional treatments including tooth extractions, bone grafting to strengthen the jaw, or alveoloplasty (jaw bone smoothing) to ensure a proper fit for their implants. These surgeries could take between 3-12 months to heal, depending on your case. Dr. Miller will discuss any necessary pre-implant surgical treatment with you in-depth, and work with you to incorporate these treatments into your dental implant timeline. 

2. Implant Placement Surgery

About 1-2 weeks after your initial consultation, you’ll come into our office to have your implant placed. Using your dental implant treatment plan as a guide, Dr. Miller will place your implant precisely in your gum and jaw bone. Then, the area will be cleaned and stitched shut, and you will be sent home to heal with a set of recovery instructions. 

3. Healing & Recovery

It will take only 1-2 weeks to heal from the initial process of implant placement. However, you will need to wait 3-6 months for your implant to permanently bond with your jaw bone through the process of osseointegration. 

4. Implant Restoration Fitting & Creation

While you are recovering from your implant surgery, you’ll come in for periodic appointments at Sarasota Bay Dental so that we can ensure you’re healing properly. Dr. Miller will also take impressions and images of your teeth, gums, and dental implant. This information will be used by a dental lab to manufacture your implant restoration, such as a dental crown

5. Dental Abutment Placement

About two weeks before your final appointment at our office, Dr. Miller will need to see you again to place a dental abutment. The abutment is what will connect your implant to your implant-supported restoration, and hold it in place. 

Your gums will be folded back to expose your implant, and Dr. Miller will attach the abutment and a temporary tooth or healing collar to ensure that the gums do not regrow over the abutment

6. Final Implant-Supported Restoration Placement 

After your mouth has completely healed from implant and abutment placement, you will come in for your final appointment. Dr. Miller will check the fit of your implant-supported restoration one final time, and then bond it in place. Then, you’ll be sent home with your new, natural-looking tooth.

See If You’re A Candidate For Dental Implants In Sarasota – Call Today! 

At Sarasota Bay Dental, Dr. Robert Miller has years of experience in implant dentistry. If you’re considering dental implants to replace one or more missing teeth, the team at Sarasota Bay Dental is here to help. Contact us online or give us a call at (941) 200-3723 to schedule your dental implant consultation with Dr. Miller.