“Why do I have to wait 3 to 6 months for my implant crown? Other dental clinics can do it immediately!” This is something that I hear fairly often from most of my implant patients.
If you are currently shopping for a preferred dental implant clinic, you might also be thinking the same. Do you really have to wait such a long window of time before receiving your dental crown after implant surgery? Is there no way to shorten it?
While I understand the angst at not being able to receive your tooth replacement immediately, there is a valid reason for this.
This article has been written to help you understand what it means when you see an ad that says immediate dental implants, why it might be best to wait 3 to 6 months before placing your final dental implant crown and why it is possible to place an immediate temp crown in some instances post-implant surgery.
So Why Wait 3 to 6 Months For Your Implant Crown?
When the implant screw is placed into your jaw bone, it requires time for it to osseointegrate (fuse bone to the implant). It will not be possible to rush the process of healing.
The jawbone will eventually grow and bond tightly around the implant screw, creating a solid foundation to support your dental implant crown. This foundation will behave just like the root of a natural tooth.
While it might seem extremely inconvenient to wait 3 to 6 months, placing a crown too early risks putting pressure on the implant screw (your new root) before it is fully anchored. Without enough healing time, the implant screw can loose, or even fail prematurely.
Besides that, your gums and bones need sufficient time to recover from surgery. The healing period of 3 to 6 months allows the tissues to settle and reduces the risk of infection or inflammation around your implant site.
The waiting period also helps improve overall aesthetics. This is especially true for front teeth. Waiting to see how the gums and bone shape around your implant can aid your dentist in ensuring that you receive the most natural looking crown.
The last thing you need is to realise that your implant screw has dropped and that you need more time to restart the entire process. By waiting, you ensure the implant is stable enough to handle the daily forces of chewing and biting.
What Are Immediate Dental Implants?
Immediate dental implants are implants that can be placed on the same day. In some cases, bone grafting might be done simultaneously when doing the immediate implant to help promote better support and enhance osseointegration.
The number of people who qualify for immediate dental implants are 30% to 50% of the total number of patients who require dental implants. This is because immediate dental implants are only suitable for patients who have good gum health and bone density. Most importantly, they do not have any pre-existing gum disease.
Most patients who are able to qualify for immediate dental implants have lost their tooth from dental trauma or have had a tooth extraction a couple of months ago with no existing oral infections. You are not suitable for immediate dental implants if you are intending to extract shaky teeth caused by gum disease or have active gum disease.
Does Immediate Dental Implants Mean Immediate Teeth?
No, unfortunately immediate dental implants are not the same as same-day (immediate) teeth. Immediate dental implants simply means that you are able to place the dental implant screw on the same day. You would still have to wait at least 3 months for your implant screw to osseointegrate with your bone before the final fixture is placed.
However, it might be possible to create a temporary tooth for aesthetic purposes if it is an anterior (front) tooth. If that is your intention, please take note that temporary teeth are usually not included in the total cost of your dental implant package. You might be charged an additional fee for the temporary tooth.
The temporary tooth is also not meant to be used for biting or chewing on hard foods. It is just a short-term solution while you are waiting for your final implant placement.
How long do I have to wait to get my dental implant crown?
The standard healing period after implant placement is usually 3 to 6 months. This is because the implant screw needs time to fuse with the bone (a process called osseointegration). If the crown is placed too early, the implant may fail before it becomes stable.
Lower jaw implants often heal faster (sometimes 2–3 months) because the bone is denser. Upper jaw implants usually take longer (4–6 months) because the bone is softer.
It is generally not a good idea to rush into placing the final dental implant crown because the less time it has to heal, the higher the risk of implant failure.
Should I wait 3 to 6 months before placing my dental implant crown?
Most dentists recommend this waiting period to maximize long-term success. By waiting, you ensure that the implant integrates securely into the bone, increasing the success rates of your dental implant. The gum tissue is also able to stabilise and create a better seal around your crown.
So yes, 3–6 months is the gold standard unless your case qualifies for immediate restoration.
Why do some dental clinics offer an immediate temp crown after implant surgery?
Some dental clinics market “immediate dental implants” or “same-day dental implants.” In this immediate approach, a temporary crown is placed right after the implant surgery. The crown is usually made so that it does not touch other teeth when biting.
This reduces the stress on the healing implant while maintaining overall aesthetics. After 3-6 months, it is then replaced with a stronger permanent crown.
This is done mainly for front teeth, where patients want an instant cosmetic result. However, do take note that immediate implants are not suitable for everyone. It depends on bone density, implant stability at surgery, and your bite.
Waiting at least 3 to 6 months for your implant to osseointegrate can increase the longevity and success rates of your dental implants
For many patients (perhaps even yourself), you might consider the waiting period of 3 to 6 months as a hindrance. The delay, however, is worth it. It is an investment in the long-term stability of your dental implant.
Allowing 3 to 6 months for your implant screw to fully integrate with your jawbone gives it the best chance of lasting for decades without complications. While temporary solutions such as immediate implants or temporary crowns may be possible in select cases, they are not designed to replace the reliability of a well-healed and properly integrated implant.
By giving your body the time it needs to heal and strengthen around the implant, you protect yourself from premature implant failure, reduce the risk of infection, and ensure that your final crown looks and functions just like a natural tooth.
