Delayed Placement Implant

This is the technical name for the standard ‘two stage placement’. It involves the insertion of the implant – the ‘first stage’, followed by a second procedure in which the replacement tooth/teeth or restorations are attached to the implant.

How does this work?

The dentist will make an incision via the gums in order to expose the jawbone. He or she will then insert the implant before closing the incision with small stitches. This area of the gum is given time to heal, typically 3 to 6 months.

The healing process also includes the fusion between the jawbone and implant, known as osseointegration. This unifying of the two leads to a strong structure which will then be used in the ‘second stage’ of the process.

The second stage involves the dentist opening up the gum incision to allow access to the implant. He or she will then fix or screw an attachment called an ‘abutment’ to the implant which acts as an anchor for the restorations.

The dentist can then attach a single or several restorations (dental prosthetics) to the abutment. These restorations look like your natural teeth and function in exactly the same way.

Advantages

The main advantage here is that of lower risk of implant failure. As a result of this there is less need for extra implants and better control over the existing ones.

Osseointegration will have taken place which means a strong base for the implants, and the restorations.

This is often seen as an easier procedure for dentists to master as compared to immediate loading.

It also costs less than immediate loading.

Disadvantages

There is only one and that is the length of time you need to wait between the first stage (implantation) and the second stage (restorations).

The average time between the two stages is 3 to 6 months, although it can take longer than this.

Some patients find that this is too long to wait and so choose to undergo immediate loading.

Which procedure should you choose?

We would advise you to read up about both procedures, and learn as much as you can before making a decision. Make sure you get all the facts about immediate and delayed placement, and try not to be influenced by persuasive marketing and advertising.

At the end of the day it is your decision and yours only.

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