How Long Does Abutment Placement Take?
Dental implants offer a durable and natural-looking alternative for missing teeth. Considering that it is a multi-step procedure, one crucial step is abutment placement. If you are also considering dental implants, you might wonder what an abutment is and how long it takes to place. In this blog, we will provide all the necessary answers to help you understand the process better.
What Is An Abutment?
Dental implants consist of three major parts: the implant itself, the abutment, and the prosthetic tooth. The abutment basically connects, in other words, attaches the implant to your prosthetic tooth, i.e., denture, bridge, or crown.
What Is Abutment Placement In Dental Implants?
Abutment placement is the third step in the dental implant process. After the implant is placed and fused with the jawbone (osseointegration), a small connector piece called an abutment is attached to the top of the implant.
This abutment acts as a base for the final crown, helping hold it securely in place.
How Long Does Abutment Placement Take?
Placing the abutment usually takes 30 minutes to 1 hour. It’s a simple and quick procedure. Here's what happens during an abutment placement:
- The dentist makes a small cut in the gums to reach the implant.
- The healing cap placed earlier is removed.
- The abutment, or connector piece, is gently attached to the implant.
- The gum is shaped around the abutment so it can heal properly.
This process is administered under local anesthesia, which means you will not feel any sensation of pain or discomfort. However, you will be awake during the procedure. Some patients report mild discomfort or pain once the anesthesia wears off. This is quite normal and should subside within the guided timeline.
How Long Is The Healing Period After Abutment Placement?
Once the abutment is placed, the gums need time to heal and form a natural shape around it. This helps the final crown to fit properly. Healing after abutment placement usually takes 1 to 2 weeks, but in some cases, it can take up to 4 to 6 weeks. Your healthcare provider can give a tailored healing timeline based on your case.
In order for your treatment site to heal properly, it is important to follow your dentist’s instructions to avoid irritation, infection, or failure.
What Happens Once Your Treatment Site Is Healed?
Once your abutment has been placed and the gums around it have healed, the dentist will move on to the last chunk of the treatment. This includes taking dental impressions that are sent to the lab to fabricate a custom crown.
This process can take up to 2 weeks or more. Once the crown is ready, the dentist will call you for a final placement that requires an hour or so to complete.
Overall Insight
Placing an abutment usually takes 30 minutes to an hour. However, healing after abutment placement can span over weeks or months. Once the abutment site is healed, the dentist will take impressions for the final restoration.
Get Implant supplies high-quality abutments that guarantee fast healing and impeccable results. Request a quote at (713) 296-0329.