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  • Writer's pictureSoong-Ryong Jung (David) , DDS, MS, PhD

What is the Difference Between Immediate or Delayed Dental Implant Loading?



Plano, TX - When it comes to getting any surgical procedure, timing is of the essence. Our bodies are a combination of interconnected systems when it comes right down to it. However, it gets more complicated when you put timing into account. For example, it takes 45 secondsfor blood to circulate throughout the entire human body. But it also takes about six to eight hours for food to digest completely in the stomach and enter the colon. So, not only are you dealing with a combination of systems, but you are looking at everything with its own timing. But what does this have to do with dental implants in Plano, Tx?

Well, what happens with any surgical strategy is timing. A surgeon that hears about appendicitis gets to the appendix immediately because once it bursts, you will die. However, it would take them longer to book something like knee replacement because of all of the cartilage in your knee isn't going to wear down immediately. A dental implant surgeon might require a one time visit or multiple ones. This depends on what they need to make the procedure work. So, we are going to talk about immediatevs delayed dental implant loading and what situations would be ideal for both of them.

Immediate Dental Implant Loading

Both categories of dental implant surgery are exactly what it says on the tin. So, it is safe to assume when you see the word "Immediate" in the phrase, it means that it is going to be tackled right away. The specifics of the definition includes the immediate loading of an implant within a 48-hour time frame.

However, what most people don't realize is that a quick implant like that has requirements. Specifically, it relies on the state of your jawbone or gumline. So if your jawbone is already stable enough to hold a new implant, then it can be done quickly.

So, if your jaw is able to bounce back, then you will most likely be getting immediate dental implant procedures. The kind of conditions that are in mind for such a thing is when a front tooth is knocked out by a soccer ball.

Because it fulfills a combination of conditions that include:

An important aesthetic location of the tooth There is no bone grafting required Less splinting and wear of the occlusal area.



Delayed Dental Implant Loading

Again, like the term suggests, it shares the definition that you think it does. This type of dental implant is more conventional and takes 4-6 months with several steps and a prosthesis in between to get the implant to integrate. This means that there will be multiple procedures during the process including:

Raising a surgical flap, inserting the implant into the bone, and suturing the flap back into position. Re-exposing the surgical site, after six months then taking an impression while the gingiva heals to restore the missing teeth.

This type of long term dental implant procedure is mostly for allowing the build-up of gum, bone, and any other worn down part of the jaw. So, if you were going to address something like gingivitis, or any sort of long term rot, that is what your dentist is going to recommend.

If you or someone you know is getting an implant and has

Worn down gums and bone from poor dental hygiene Multiple missing teeth Teeth missing towards the back of the jaw instead of the front. Splitting or worn down occlusal areas...

This is the type of dental implant procedures that most surgeons will recommend. Especially, when you take into account that your body can recover at different rates.

Conclusion

While these are certainly a strong set of guidelines and definitions for dental surgeons and patients to understand, they are just that guidelines. Because no two people are going to present the same case in the exact same way. There are also plenty of other reasons why a dental implant surgeon may or may not recommend a specific procedure.

If you want good results, and your dental implants to last for a reasonably long amount of time, you want to speak transparently with your dentist. Address your concerns and be open about what you want. But also, listen to the expert too. After all, they are able to see signs that you might not notice right away.

Heres to having a healthy and happy smile!

If you want to know more about dental implants in Plano, TX feel free to visit us at www.jungimplantplano.com

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