How Long After Extraction Can I Get Dental Implants?
Studies report a 95% success rate when it comes to dental implants. Even with a high success rate, it’s important to know when to get dental implants in Downtown Vancouver.
Waiting longer than necessary after extraction can result in bone loss and make the process more complicated as well as more costly. Continue reading to find out when to get dental implants after an extraction.
What to Expect After a Tooth Extraction
Before answering the question, “can I get dental implants after an extraction,” or telling you when to get dental implants, it’s important to understand the healing process following an extraction to avoid dry sockets.
Expect to take pain medications and use gauze to stop residual bleeding. While the site heals, avoid eating foods that require a lot of chewing. Instead, consider soft foods such as mashed potatoes or soup.
You may experience discomfort, swelling, and some bleeding in the 24-hours following a tooth extraction. The entire recovery process can take several days or a couple of weeks, depending on whether you had a simple or surgical extraction.
Simple vs. Surgical Extractions
A surgical extraction is more common in adults where the tooth is under the gum line and bone tissue. This can happen if the tooth is broken or decaying. A simple extraction occurs if the tooth was damaged and is no longer below the gum line.
Healing After a Tooth Extraction
A blood clot forms in the empty tooth socket within the first 48 hours after the extraction. The blood clot helps start the healing process and protects the exposed tissue from bacteria and chewed food.
Any stitches will dissolve after 1 to 3 weeks, and the hole in your gums will close. You may have a slight indentation in the gum until the site completely heals, which can take up to 4 months.
Gums heal the fastest after the extraction of smaller teeth. Large teeth or complex surgeries take longer to heal as the gum tissue repairs itself.
Understanding this healing process helps answer the question, “how long after an extraction can I get dental implants in Downtown Vancouver?”
When to Get Dental Implants in Downtown Vancouver
The timeline for getting dental implants after an extraction depends on the details of your extraction and your health. Some patients qualify for immediate implant placement, which occurs at the same time as the extraction.
Other patients need to wait anywhere from three to six months before knowing the answer to, ‘can I get dental implants?’ This happens because of damaged gum tissue, healing infections, or bone loss.
Patients that need to wait longer than three months may require bone grafting. This procedure helps ensure you have enough healthy bone to stabilize the implant. This may delay getting your dental implants in Downtown Vancouver.
Talk with Your Downtown Vancouver Dentist
If you want dental implants in Downtown Vancouver, talk with your dentist. They can answer questions like, “can I get dental implants after an extraction,” or “how long after an extraction can I get dental implants?”
Contact us today to schedule your next visit and discuss your dental implant options with our specialists.