If you’re ready to replace your lost teeth with dental implants, you’re making a great investment. However, you might need to delay your travel plans. A dental implant mimics the entire tooth structure, including the root. You’ll require oral surgery to place the post into your jawbone. Here’s how long you’ll need to wait before hitting the road.
Dental Implant Timeline
Replacing a tooth with a dental implant won’t happen overnight. Whether you are missing a single tooth, several teeth, or all of them, receiving dental implants involves a multi-step treatment process that can take several months to complete. Here’s how long you can expect it to take and how it may affect traveling.
Consultation
A consultation with your dentist is your first step to a complete smile. Your dentist will examine your mouth, review a CT scan, and perform other diagnostic services to ensure dental implants are right for you. Your dentist will develop a personalized treatment plan to replace your lost teeth.
Preliminary Treatments
Many patients need a little prep work before their placement surgery, like gum disease therapy. If you require a more complex procedure, like an extraction, bone grafting, or a sinus lift, your implant dentist will recommend avoiding travel for 1-2 weeks, depending on your treatment.
Implant Placement Surgery
Sedation or anesthesia will be used to block any pain as an implant post is strategically placed into your jawbone. It can take several hours for the effects to wear off, so you won’t be able to drive yourself home, let alone travel.
Your mouth will be sore for several days. You won’t feel much like taking a vacation for at least a week. Your dentist will advise you to avoid traveling for at least 10 to 14 days.
As your mouth heals, your jaw will fuse to your implant through a process called osseointegration, which will take several months. You can travel during this time, but follow your dentist’s instructions.
Abutment Placement
After your bone has healed, every implant will need an abutment. The special fixture attaches your restoration to your dental implant. You will need a minor procedure, but don’t worry about a long recovery. If sedation or anesthesia is used, you’ll need to rest at home for 24 hours. Although your gums may be tender for a few days, there are few risks of taking a vacation during this time.
Restoration Placement
In a couple of weeks, you’ll return to your dentist for the final phase of your treatment. They’ll place your restoration, which has been crafted to match your natural teeth to blend in. You may experience some temporary tenderness.
Discuss any travel plans with your implant dentist. They’ll determine if it’s safe to jump on a plane and give you instructions to safeguard your smile while you’re away to avoid any potential complications.
About Dr. Alan Kellner
Dr. Kellner strives to provide personalized dental care for each patient. He offers a comprehensive range of dentistry services, including dental implants and cosmetic dentistry. If you’re ready to replace your lost teeth, contact his office at (954) 908-6780.