Many patients who are missing one or multiple teeth consider dental implants as a tooth replacement option, but few know the extent of what they’re getting into when they begin the dental implant process. Often, when patients require a full mouth rehabilitation they’re offered two treatment options: All-on-4 dental implants (4 implants) or full mouth dental implants (8 implants). And a frequent question we get at Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Phoenix is, "how long does a dental implant procedure take?"
When comparing the decision to pursue All-on-4 versus full-mouth implants, the time it takes to complete treatment is a major consideration. The All-on-4 procedure can typically be completed within 6 months and only requires one surgical procedure. However, full-mouth dental implants often require multiple surgeries and can take 8-12 months to achieve complete healing.
Who is a Good Candidate for Dental Implant Surgery?
Dental implants are not to be taken lightly. The traditional implant procedure can be a serious one, with multiple steps, numerous surgical procedures, and significant recovery time. You should consider this option very carefully before deciding it is the right choice for you. You may be a good candidate for dental implants if you:
Have one or more missing teeth.
Have a jawbone that's reached full growth.
Have adequate bone to secure the implants or are able to have a bone graft.
Have healthy oral tissues.
Don't have health conditions that will affect bone healing.
Are unable or unwilling to wear dentures.
Want to improve your speech.
Traditional Dental Implant Surgery Time
If—after weighing the risks and benefits of dental implant surgery—you decide to begin the traditional implant process (replacing a full set of teeth one by one), it will happen across a number of different phases.
Phase One
The first phase entails evaluation and preparation for surgery, including everything from tooth extraction to bone grafting, scans, and more. If bone grafting is needed, this first phase can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months. Bone grafting is usually needed if the tooth has been missing for a long time.
Phase Two
In the next phase of dental implant surgery, a dental implant screw will be placed in the bone, and the bone will then be allowed to heal. The placement procedure takes 1 to 2 hours with a healing time between 3 and 6 months. In this recovery period, the surrounding bone will heal around the implanted screw.
Final Phase
In the final phase of the procedure, an artificial crown or tooth is placed onto the implant screw. So, depending on your situation, your dental implant procedure could take between 6-12 months to complete.
All-on-4 Full Mouth Dental Implant Surgery Time
Luckily, there is an alternative to traditional dental implants. All-on-4 Implant surgery, also referred to as the “Teeth-In-A-Day” treatment, is a revolutionary full-mouth tooth replacement option that is far superior to traditional dentures.
The treatment involves the placement of just four dental implants that serve as anchor points for customized teeth that are permanently fixed in place at the time of the procedure. The procedure can be performed on the top arch, bottom arch or full mouth. It can be completed in just one appointment, with recovery time only taking a few days.
All-on-4 Benefits
Aside from the swiftness of the procedure and the short recovery time, there are a number of other benefits of the All-on-4 procedure, including:
Enhanced Comfort—All-On-4 Dental Implants are more comfortable than dentures because they adapt to your mouth’s biology over time. This can make it more comfortable to eat, drink and speak.
Improved Durability—All-On-4 Dental Implants can withstand constant use in your mouth for years. These implants are so well designed that they can actually last a lifetime if taken care of properly.
Easier digestion/eating—trying to eat with tooth replacement options like dentures can be difficult as they tend to slide and move around. On the other hand, All-On-4 Dental Implants make it much easier for you to eat and digest food thanks to the fact that they work just like your natural teeth would.
Better Speech—All-On-4 Dental Implants can help you improve your speech by allowing you to speak correctly, as they are aligned with your mouth’s natural shape.
Contact Dr. Nicolas Bebeau at Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Phoenix
Ultimately, the time it takes to complete a dental implant procedure will vary for each patient depending on their unique needs and treatment plan. If you’re considering getting dental implants—particularly the All-on-4 procedure—one of the most important things you can do is to find a Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon who regularly performs the procedure with an impeccable reputation.
Contact us to learn more about All-on-4 dental implants for patients in the Scottsdale and Phoenix Valley area, and get a smile you can finally be proud to show off.