How long implants take to heal

Still trying to decide whether to get implants? Or have you recently already had artificial tooth roots placed? Would you like to know what to expect and what the healing period for implants looks like?

In this blog article you’ll learn …

• how long the healing time is for implants and what it depends on.
• what the terms ‘immediate use and ‘healing time’ mean for implants.
• what happens during the implant healing process.
• what you can do to help an implant heal.

The recovery time after placing an implant depends on a range of factors. The main ones are:

• bone condition,
• implantation method and implant system,
• position of the implant.

The healing time of a dental implant depends on the particular procedure. A sinus lift with bone augmentation is followed by a nine-month wait before implant placement, then a further wait of two months before fitting of the crown. In the case of a lateral bone graft, the wait before implant placement is normally just four months. Osseointegration – the fusing of the implant itself with the bone surrounding it – usually takes six to eight weeks.

Why is there such a difference?

• Small, weak bone matter is able to produce new structures less quickly than strong bone.
• Even when bone has been freshly grafted (augmentation), it still takes longer.
• The upper jawbone is generally somewhat less firm and dense than the lower jaw and heals more slowly.
• In some cases, the implant is intended to heal over initially, in others it is kept open using a special gum former (abutment).
• Modern implant products have special surface properties to accelerate healing.

However, this does not mean that you will be toothless or have to cope with a gap until then. Dr Sleiter fits a functional temporary restoration onto the implant, which he later replaces with your permanent replacement tooth.

While it may not seem possible at first glance, it is often feasible and may even be standard procedure. Implantologists like us talk about immediate primary stability directly after insertion. Dr Sleiter pays particular attention to ensuring that the implant itself sits as close as possible to the bone and is firmly seated with exactly the right torque. The implant thread also supports primary stability.

There are two scenarios where it is possible to achieve firm, useable replacement teeth immediately given the right conditions:

• using the All-on-4 method, because we use a temporary prosthesis to securely fasten several implants together.
• in the case of individual implants or implant bridges that sit highly securely right from the start and which, in our experience, will be subject to little strain.

Regardless of whether your implant is useable already or is still too sensitive, it needs to heal. Your body takes care of this at its own pace. The process is a masterwork, and we’ll monitor you to ensure that everything goes according to nature’s plan.

Wound healing and secondary stability

The wound closes over during the first few days. Blood clots and a fibrin mesh carry out initial, temporary repair work between the tissue and the implant. Good blood circulation is particularly important at this stage. Connective tissue and the first bone precursor cells (pre-osteoblasts) begin to migrate into the gaps and connect with the new tooth root. This phase lasts around 6 to 8 weeks.

Osseointegration: bone fusing

In this final phase, after 3 to 6 months, the newly formed bone restructures into lamellar bone and achieves its final stability – the implant is thus firmly integrated into the matured bone.

We regularly check the progress of your implant healing at the check-up appointments we agree together. We’ll explain everything you should expect step by step again then.

Above all: please contact us immediately as soon as you feel any discomfort such as swelling and pain or anything concerning despite having taken all due care. Rapid action is important in the case of inflammation. Please also see Dr Sleiter if you take a knock.

• To be on the safe side, you should stick to a diet of soft food immediately after the procedure and during the first few weeks of the healing period. Sticky and very sweet foods are also best avoided.
• Overall, our advice is to take it easy on the implant area at the beginning and not to put too much strain on it. You’ll be able to feel the right amount.
• Make sure your oral hygiene is careful but thorough. The risk of the wound becoming infected is low but never zero. We will explain and demonstrate the best approach so you feel reassured.
• As already mentioned, the better the blood supply to the tissue, the faster and more reliably an implant heals. If you can, avoid nicotine altogether or at least reduce your use of it. It won’t just be your teeth that thank you for it.

During your check-up appointments, Dr Sleiter will be able to advise you personally on when you can start using your teeth vigorously again. And you should, because chewing will help to further strengthen the bone as it transitions from a fibrous to a plate-like structure. You might call it ‘bone training’.