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What will my smile look like during the dental implant treatment?


For individual’s just starting research on dental implantation, it can be difficult to know exactly what information most accurately describes the dental implant treatment. You’ll come across claims that the implant treatment takes months if not years to complete, as well as claims that your smile can be completely restored in an hour. The reality of the dental implant treatment falls somewhere in the middle. So what will your smile look like during the implant treatment? That question can be answered in several ways.

Those who are currently suffering with broken, damaged, decayed or missing teeth know what it is like to live with an incomplete smile. Our smile is often the first thing that people notice about us, and having an imperfect smile can greatly lower confidence and self-esteem. But dental implants can help. Learn about the dental implant options available to you and how each will affect your smile.

Traditional Dental Implants vs. Mini Dental Implants

When patients undergo dental implant surgery, the two types of implants available are traditional dental implants and mini dental implants. While the procedure is the same for both implant types, their size differentiation effects the invasiveness of the treatment, the downtime required and the healing period patients undergo. These factors are what will affect how your smile looks during the implant treatment.

Traditional implants are larger in size; therefore require a larger gum line incision and a larger hole for placement in the jawbone. Oftentimes patients will require stitches following treatment and some downtime will be necessary. In some cases, temporary dental prosthetics will be placed—giving patients the look and function of natural teeth, but in other cases, the implant will be left to heal on its own. This will leave patients with gaps where only the implant abutment is visible. The healing period for traditional implants is anywhere between three and nine months.

Mini dental implants are smaller in size which means a less invasive treatment. Stitches are rarely required, no downtime is needed, temporary dental prosthetics are almost always placed during the same dental visit and patients have use of their implants immediately upon leaving the office. Mini dental implants can take up to three months to heal, after which the permanent dental prosthetic is placed.

During the implant treatment, you may have a naturally beautiful smile filled with temporary dental prosthetics or you may have gaps where the dental prosthetics will be placed. Either way, you will be on your way to a smile that looks and feels completely natural.