How Long Does It Take to Complete Treatment?
Dental implants preserve bone because they function like tooth roots, firmly embedded in the bone. In order for the implants to become embedded in the bone, the bone must bond to the implants. This process takes anywhere from 3 to 9 months, depending upon the quality of the bone into which the implants are placed. There are other treatment options that do not include dental implants, that do not take as long to complete; however, none of these traditional methods of tooth replacement preserve bone. And, in fact, dentures and partials actually accelerate the bone resorption process. In selected cases, dental implants can be immediately loaded after placement. Thus the time to complete this treatment plan is minimal. Your restorative dentist and/or surgeon will evaluate your options for immediate loading.
