How soon after tooth extraction do i need to get implants? my dentist is recommending dental implants, but i'm thinking about getting a bridge instead. if i change my mind, will i still be able to get implants later? or do they need to go in soon after ex

Usually : Usually the bone needs to fill into the socket from your extracted tooth if a bone graft was not placed. This can take four to six months. If you decide on a fixed bridge, some of your teeth will be cut down to support the bridge. That process is irreversible, so you need to decide your treatment from the start. Implants are time tested and might be the better choice for you. Think carefully before cutting down healthy teeth.

Quite : Quite often dental implants can be placed at the time of extraction. If this is not done, the timing of the implant will depend on many factors including the amount of bone loss during the extraction and the months following extraction. The simple answer is the longer you wait, the more bone that is lost. In addition if there are natural teeth around the extraction site, there will be movement of these teeth the longer you wait. The best route is to get the implants done sooner rather than later.

Soon!: Hopefully, your dentist grafted the extraction site after your tooth was removed. If not, you might need to have a bone graft placed. It typically takes 3 months for a bone graft to "take", after which you can have a dental implant placed. Implants are the ideal option, and you won't regret the decision to have a dental implant placed. Seek the advice of a prosthodontist for specific info.

Better than bridge: You can have implants placed the day of extraction to decrease the amount of time. If the teeth are removed and the sites grafted thaen this buys you time, sometimes over a year. If not the bone begins to resorb and grafting or short implants will need to be used. If you prepare for implants, try to do so at the time of extraction to avoid more time and expense down the road.

Later is fine: You do not want to wait too long, as the teeth around the space and opposite the space will shift. Safe amount of time is 3 - 6 months on average before you get one or the other. If you get a bridge, you can later get an implant, unless the bone deteriorates too much during that time. Implant is always preferable, given the option.

Yes: Just because you do a bridge today does not mean you can not get an implant tomorrow. You may wish to consider a implant because a implant does not involve the adjacent teeth and you maintain the individuality of the teeth. A bridge causes you to deal with a problem on the supporting teeth as a collective problem hitch could mean the replacement of the bridge over time resulting in higher costs.

As soon as possible: Optimal treatment for a missing tooth between two other teeth is a dental implant. Look at it this way...A one tooth problem requires only a one tooth solution, however a bridge involves the compromise of the surrounding teeth. Further, bridges are challenging to keep clean whereas an implant acts as your natural tooth. Choose the implant!

It can vary.: Oral surgeons or periodontists often determine the waiting period based on a number of factors. If the tooth that was extracted was infected they will wait longer prior to implant placement (~6-8 weeks or longer). If there is a bony defect on bone grafting was necessary they may defer the placement of the dental implant for months. Waiting longer will not make a difference.

Sooner is better: Once a tooth is removed, the bone that was around the root begins to shrink... A fixed bridge is a perfectly reasonable restoration of the adjacent teeth are strong enough to support a bridge.... Placement of an implant prevents the bone from further shrinkage.

Implant: An implant is an ideal solution. You don't have to damage the adjacent teeth with unnecessary crown preps (assuming that they don't have crowns already). Plus you will be able to floss between the teeth easily. We often see recurrent decay under bridges over time. Plus, by getting the implant soon, you will minimize bone resorption that always occurs after an extraction.