How long?

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Hello all,

Just had a tooth extracted and I am considering an implant. Unfortunately, I am leaving the country travelling in 3.5 months and therefore need to get the whole process completed by then. Is that realistic?

Also, can anyone recommend a specialist to talk to for a good price/quality balance in the London area? Alternatively, are there reviews of independent advices that can be found anywhere?

Thank you,
Laurent

[Dr Pav Khaira]

It is unliekly the entire thing will be done in 3 months. However I would say the very best thing you could do is have the implant placed, this would preserve the bone and you could then have it restored when you come back from your travels.

Without an implant or tooth in place you will continue to lose bone. This does not make it impossible to place implants but can make it more difficult. For a straight forward implant, you need to be looking at £2500-£3000.

I hope this helps

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Thank you Dr Pav Khaira,

How much can be done within 3 months then? Just the implant but not the crown to go on it? Also, if only part of the work is done, how long can I wait until the full work is completed?

Thank you for the help!
L

[Dr Kalpesh Bohara]

Hi

there are some cases where immediate implants can be done with a temporary crown. This depends on the patient's bite and the forces which are put upon this.

If tha above is not favourable, then an implant can be placed as soon as possible and then 8 to 10 weeks later an impression can be taken of the implant.

At our practice, we usually put the crown on 2 weeks after the impression is taken.

Therefore it is possible to do a whole case in 3 and half months, but not everyone would be the ideal candidate for this.

Best of Luck

Kal

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Thank you Dr Kalpesh Bohara for your answer,

After a little more research and a couple of phonecall, I have been told that there is a quick treatment that can be done for one implant only (I only need one, 32 year old and in a relatively good shape with no heavy drinking or smoking).

I have been told the implant system is called Straumann. Am I right to assume that this is just the standard name for the implant system or is it indeed a special quick recovery system?

Thank you in advance,
L

[Dr Kalpesh Bohara]

Straumann is the make of the implant system. There are many types of implant systems around and most of the top leading brands, ie Astra, Straumann and Nobel Biocare are very good, the choice of the implant system usually depends on the surgeon's preference and training.

Best Wishes

Kal

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Good Morning all,

After more digging and meeting a cosmetic dentist, I finally got a dental plan to get the work done in either 3 visits and a total of 7 weeks beginning to completion or 4 visits and a total of 9 weeks to completion. Details as follow:

1st Scenario - 3 visits
* 1st visit: Fit the implant AND fit the healing cap
* 2nd visit: 5 weeks after to take the impression
* 3rd visit: Fit the crown, 2 weeks after the impressions were taken

2nd Scenarios - 4 visits
*1st visit: Fit the implant
* 2nd visit: 5 weeks later to fit the healing cap
* 3rd visit: 2 weeks later to take the impression
* 4th visit: to fit the crown 2 weeks after the impressions were taken

The difference depends on whether healing cap can be fitted at the same time as when the implant is done and I have been told that in 60-70% of cases, the healing cap needs fitting 2 weeks after so 2nd Scenario is more likely..

The implant recommended is a "Straumann SLActive Implant". From what I understand, this is considered as a "quick healing" implant, hence the short time to completion - is that right?

I would welcome any feedback on how realistic this treatment plan is since, I only have 13 weeks left to leaving the country. So, it is a tight schedule..

The alternative is for me to get the implant done over the next couple of months and wait until June 2009 to complete the treatment. Is there any downside in doing this? Aside from staying with no tooth for a whole year.

Finally, I could do nothing at all until June 2009, but I am told that the jawbone might "reclaim" the current empty space which is not ideal and that now is the best time to get the implant done - is that right in your professional opinion?

Thank you for your help - this is a minefield and a hard decision for me to make due to my current situation..

L

[Dr Kalpesh Bohara]

Hi

It is impossible to give you an answer without carrying out an examination- each case is different. There are many things which have to be examined initially.

I personally like implants to be loaded only after 8 weeks. In certain circumstances will I immediately load the implant or place a temporary crown without any load on this. For this to be done, there are certain criteria.

I would recommend you consult your dentist and ask him all these questions. If you still have concerns then seek a second opinion.

Good luck!

Kal