Second Stage of Implant Surgery: Is there a time limit on how long you can wait to complete this?
I received the 1st step to dental implants (bone grafting & installation of implant) in 2006 and never finished the abutments & crowning. I am now going back to complete the remainder of the work. I have been wearing a flipper throughout this time. My concern is that I have waited too long to complete the work or it has possibly been compromised? Once the implants have been installed into the gums is there a time limititation on completing the work, or is it good for an indefinite amount of time?
1 Comments on Second Stage of Implant Surgery: Is there a time limit on how long you can wait to complete this?
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Carlos Boudet, DDS DICOI
4/20/2013
A delay in the second stage surgery is not as important as a delay in the placement of the implant, however, depending on the area where the implant was placed,such as the upper front teeth or the teeth in the smile zone, it is very important to maintain theshape of the gum tissue because without a tooth there, the triangular or pointy areas of gum between the teeth flatten out and dissappear creating an empy space that does not look good.
A flipper is more likely to put pressure on the tissues and cause tissue loss than a bonded tooth or an Essix appliance.
It is too late to worry now, since any damage has already happened.
Sometimes you can get some of the tissue back with a carefully made temporary.
Good luck, and finish that implant!
