Full Mouth Dental Implants Recovery Time
How long does it take to recover from full mouth dental implants? The answer is up to you. Each individual has their own recovery timeline based on the severity of their dental decay, history of infections, and overall health. However we can point to an average timeline and try to make predictions on how long each individual may take to recover from full mouth dental implant procedures.
What are Full Mouth Dental Implants
Full mouth dental implants are implanted synthetic teeth. In order for these teeth to look, feel, and operate like your original teeth they must be anchored into your gums or jaw. Full mouth dental implants are just like your original teeth, they should be sturdy and unwavering in your mouth while you smile, eat, or laugh.
The Dental Implant Process for Full Mouth Dental Implants
1. Begin by talking with your Dentist about Dental Implants. If there is severe tooth loss and dental decay full mouth dental implants may be the right solution. If there is still healthy tooth material they may suggest dental crown, bridges, or other alternative options. The choice is ultimately yours, but give weight to the advice of your primary dental care provider. This is their life’s work.
2. Take X-rays and comprehensive screening diagnostics of your mouth and jaw. You should also prepare your health history summary from your primary care provider and any recent history of infections, dental or otherwise. All of these factors can impact your eligibility for dental implants, and your success for dental implant surgery.
3. Select and meet with your dental implant team. This team may include your dentist, another restorative dentist, a dental surgeon, a dental hygienist, or a dental technician. Some of these roles are filled by the same person; your dentist may be a dental surgeon, etc.
1. It is possible that your team determines that your jaw is not strong enough to support a dental anchor. At this point you must consider other options, or a surgery involving bone grafts to strengthen the jaw. This preemptive measure can add some time to your process. Assume anywhere from 3 months-1 year. Your team will be able to give a more concise timeline.
4. Your Dental Surgeon will perform the initial Implant surgery. This surgery may involve placing an implant anchor, usually made of titanium, into your jaw through your gumline. Occasionally depending on patient’s bone density and strength, an anchor may be placed into the gumline above the jaw. This anchor implantation process is called subperiosteal, and it is still in use today. For a full mouth dental implant your dentist may require upwards of 4 dental anchors to be implanted.
5. After the Anchor is set in your jaw, your dentist or surgeon may attach the abutment and then the dental crown. This can include anywhere from 1-all of your teeth.
How long is the recovery process?
The longest portion of the implant process is the healing after initial surgery, where the jaw and bones grow to accept the implant anchor. This process is called osseointegration and can take anywhere from 2-6 months. This will all depend on your health history and any other conditions which affect your immune system or general recovery time.
No website can really tell you, that is why you should contact your primary dental care provider and discuss your options with them. In order to predict the timeline for recovery of dental implants, you need to understand the whole scope of the patient’s health. On average you can have your full mouth dental implants in place within 6 months, but you have to begin the process.