The dental implant removal process is usually quick and straightforward, but you might be wondering about the recovery time. As you talk through your situation with your dentist, it is essential to be educated on what the timeline will look like. But in this article, we lay out the average recovery time and critical insights about dental implants that will help you be prepared for your next appointment.
Why might dental implants fail?
There are a variety of reasons why the process will fail and impact dental implant removal recovery time. It is a combination of lack of education in dental school, wrong loading execution, and insufficient bone density.
Many graduates from dental schools in the United States have experienced minimal instruction about dental implants, and few have practiced the process. A vast majority of general practitioners are knowledgeable about restoring implants, but very few are competent at placing them.
Incorrect loading is also a significant issue in dental implant removal failure. For example, loading too soon could result in implant failure, loss of money, and dissatisfaction. Implants tend to integrate with the bone at different times, depending on occlusion, bone density, and patient health. Overloading implants can also destroy any prosthesis, which can lead to failure of the implant.
If your bone density is questionable, like type IV or type III bone, implant placements could be tracking. It is essential to talk through this with your doctor and make sure you give full consent. You want to be fully educated on the chances of implant success if you have inadequate bone density.
Are some dental implants easier to remove than others?
Dental implant removal recovery time is also dependent on the ease of removal. Your bone quality plays a significant role in the ease of dental implant removal. Most implants located in the upper jaw are easier to move than those on the lower jaw. It does not mean that the upper jaw will not be too firm.
Duration also has a significant influence on the removal of dental implants under general anaesthetic. If it has been over two years since the dental implant was done, the implant and bone will set more firmly together and make it difficult.
Another factor is the length, width, and connection of the dental implant. If the implant is longer and wider, then it will be much harder to remove because of the strength of the bond to the bond. Narrow implants could also be an issue because the top of the implant might fracture from increased stress.
Dental implant removal procedure
The removal procedure of dental implants under general anaesthetic is usually a non-invasive process that can take as little as ten minutes with low patient discomfort. The implant gets removed when the doctor rotates it from the bone. The procedure does not require any cutting or extraction of the bone that surrounds it. When the implant gets replaced, the bone will need to get preserved.
What is the recovery time?
The dental implant removal recovery time is usually quick and pain-free. But typical bruising and swelling could last up to 3-5 days, and then it will decrease after that period. Most patients who go through this procedure will return to work, school, or standard routine within 1-3 days following the procedure.
Can another implant be placed afterward?
Depending on the situation, a new implant can immediately be placed in the location if it gets done with a bone grafting procedure. If you get it placed afterward, it can save you money and time on the follow-up appointment. But sometimes it cannot be done because of the size or severity of the destruction. If the removal is smooth and the hole is smaller, you can have another implant placed.