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Do you have a damaged tooth that needs to be extracted? There are numerous reasons why this may be necessary, such as severe decay or an injury. Extraction is never your dentist’s first choice, but sometimes it is necessary to prevent oral health issues in the future. Fortunately, just because you are going to be a tooth short doesn’t mean that you need to go forever without it. It can be replaced with a dental implant, but how long do you need to wait? Read on to learn more.

When Can You Get a Dental Implant After an Extraction?

There are a few different factors that contribute to the length of time you need to wait until you can get an implant after extraction. Here are the three possibilities:

Immediate Implant Placement

If your gum tissue is perfectly healthy and you have sufficient bone structure, your dentist may be able to place your implant immediately after your extraction. This can occur if a tooth is loss due to an injury or trauma. Over the next three to six months, the fusion process will take place. As soon as this is complete, you will be able to have your permanent crown attached.

Early Implant Placement

For this case, the implant placement procedure takes place about two or three months after your tooth extraction. The reason for this delay is to allow damaged gums and supporting tissue or an infection to heal before implant placement. As much as half of bone resorption can occur within the first three months after an extraction, so having the implant placed as soon as possible is crucial.

Delayed Implant Placement

If you have a decaying tooth for a long period of time, your gums and tissue aren’t likely to be in the best shape. You may have already began experiencing bone loss. When this occurs, you may require a bone graft procedure in order to provide you with enough bone stability to support an implant. Bone graft procedures require three to six months to fully heal before a dental implant becomes a viable option. Once the implant is placed, another three to six months is needed before the prosthetic can be attached to it.

If you’re having a tooth extracted and are considering replacing it with a dental implant, talk to your dentist. They will be able to let you know how it long it will take until your smile is restored.