How Long Does a Smile Makeover with Implants Take?

Implants are one of the oral restorations a dentist might use as part of your smile makeover. It is one of the popular ways to replace missing teeth since it also restores the lost tooth root which preserves bone tissue.

Implants can be combined with other treatments like veneers, bridges, crowns, dentures, teeth whitening and dental bonding to craft the ideal smile for the patient.

Smile makeover treatments are for anyone who is unhappy with the appearance of their teeth and gums. A person's smile is like their business card and people with unsightly teeth often find themselves reluctant to interact with others due to them always feeling self-conscious about the appearance of their teeth. That can easily lead to missed opportunities in their personal and professional lives.

Getting implants as part of a smile makeover typically lengthens the duration of the patient's treatment. Implants take up to six months to fuse with bone tissues around them so the implant is not fully stable in the mouth before then. The traditional method of installing implants requires the dentist to wait for the implant to fuse with the jaw before attaching a crown or some other dental restoration to it. However, there are same-day implants that are fitted with a crown the same day the implant is installed.

How implants are used during smile makeover treatments

Implants may be recommended if the dentist notices the patient has missing teeth during their smile makeover consultation. The dentist will evaluate the patient to determine if implants are right for them. The installation of these prosthetics requires minor oral surgery and some people are not healthy enough for that. For example, people who have diabetes or immune system disorders might not be eligible for implants since their health conditions hinder their ability to heal.

The dentist will also evaluate the patient's jawbone to check if they have enough bone tissue to securely hold an implant in place. Tests like x-rays and CT scans might be used when making this determination.

The dentist will also go over the patient's habits like smoking and drinking since these can also limit their ability to recover.

Installing implants

Patients are given a shot of a local anesthetic to start the treatments. An incision is made into the gums so the jaw can be reached. A drill is used to make a small hole in the jawbone which serves as a base for the implant. The implant is pushed into the hole until it is held in place by surrounding bone tissue. The dentist seals the incision and sends the patient on their way.

Six months later, when the implant has fused with bone tissues around it, the dentist will attach an abutment and a dental restoration to the implant.

Think dental implants might be right for you?

Call or visit our Coral Gables clinic to learn more about how we can replace your missing teeth with a dental implant.

Request an appointment here: https://www.gablesexceptionaldentistry.com or call Gables Exceptional Dentistry at (305) 203-4132 for an appointment in our Coral Gables office.

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