Dental Implant Healing Time Before Crown: A dental implant is a tooth replacement option that looks and acts like a natural tooth. It consists of a titanium metal post secured in the jawbone with a dental crown to replace the missing tooth. The dental crown is made to match your remaining natural teeth perfectly.

Crown placement options

People have two options for crown placement. They can go the traditional route or get a same-day placement with Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics (CEREC).

Traditional dental crown procedure

During the traditional procedure, the dentist numbs the patient’s mouth and places the implant in the jawbone. Then, the dentist places an abutment and a temporary crown on top of it. After this, the dentist takes an impression of the mouth to send to a lab so that the crown can be constructed. The patient is sent home to heal. During this time, osseointegration will take place. Osseointegration refers to the bone fusing to the implant placement. This provides the necessary stability to support the tooth long term. It usually takes four to six months for the osseointegration process. The patient will have to keep the temporary crown during this time. The patient receives the permanent crown after the process is complete.

CEREC® for same-day crowns

Those who do not want to wait months to get a permanent crown can get same-day crowns with CEREC. CEREC allows dentists to create permanent crowns in their office. After the implant is placed, the dentist takes a digital impression of the patient’s mouth. The 3-D model is sent to a computer, where the dentist designs the crown. The design is sent to a milling machine, which crafts the crown out of dental ceramic. The process takes around 15 minutes. Once the crown is completed, the dentist places it on top of the abutment. The dentist checks the fit of the crown and then the patient goes home to heal.

Special Instances of Note

If a patient has a failing tooth that we need to remove, then we will extend the implant process as the bone must heal before we can place the implant to restore the tooth. A bone graft might be necessary within the tooth socket to keep the bone open and allow for an easy placement of an implant at a later point in time. It is even possible to place an implant the same day as the tooth removal. It is important to note that some patients are not ideal candidates for immediate implants. The best way to determine if dental implants are the ideal treatment is to schedule an appointment with us.

What’s the Integration Process after Dental Implant Surgery?

After surgery, your jaw goes through a process called ‘osseointegration’, which essentially means that the newly implanted titanium root is getting integrated into the bone. The body is in the process of recognizing the titanium root as part of the jaw, and is getting ready to grow new bone around it.

Will The Implant Area Be Left Uncovered During Healing?

Your implant will be covered with a temporary crown till your implant site is healed sufficiently to earn a permanent crown. The implant site cannot be left uncovered, because food debris can get in and cause infections. Sometimes a healing cap is placed over the implant surgery area. This temporary prosthesis will be a tiny bit smaller than your other teeth, and this is because your implant is not ready to take the weight of chewing yet. The plus side is that your smile will be normal and there won’t be a gaping hole because the implant and the healing cap or temporary crown will cover the hole.

How do I take care of my dental implants after they are healed?

Your dental implants function the very same way as your natural teeth. It is important to brush, floss and rinse, and to see your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleaning. While you won’t get cavities in your dental implants, they are susceptible to regular wear and tear, so the better care you give them, the longer they will last and the stronger they will be. It is also important to take good care of the gum tissue surrounding your implants, as the health of your gums has a direct effect on the health and strength of the supporting jaw bones. Here at Omni Dental of Arlington Heights IL, we want the best for you and your teeth. We believe that by educating our patients you will be able to make the best decisions about your health and be happy with the outcome. When we work together with our patients to help understand their needs, and effectively treat them, the results are extraordinary. Let us help you reach your dreams of having strong, beautiful teeth for many years to come. Contact us to schedule a consultation to discuss your options and let us help you on your way to your perfect smile.

Call Us to Schedule an Appointment

If you are considering dental implants or any other procedure, contact us today. Request an appointment with our oral health care professionals so we can describe our treatments and procedures in-depth and identify the one best for you.