Hi Lotta,

Your description of the problem with that tooth indicates that there was indeed an infection brewing if not at the time of the root canal, definitely after the root canal was done and the permanent crown was placed. The swelling and pain are associated with infection. So that in of itself means that the bony socket where the tooth was had not been healthy prior to the extraction. This means that the bone has already been traumatized by infection and then again by the surgery to remove the tooth and then again with the bone graft because it now has to accept this foreign matter and heal solidly and healthy.

Anytime a tooth is extracted at least 50% of the bony socket is lost for good. The bone graft will eventually fill in about 35 to 40% or more of that lost bone. However, ALL areas of the jawbone irrelevant of whether a bone graft was put in or not will take at least 3-6 months to heal solid enough to place an implant. Implants that are placed sooner than that have a higher failure rate. The bone actually takes up to about a year to fully fill in, but generally 3-6 months post extraction is enough time to put the implant in and then the bone continues to heal and become one with the implant.

To surgically place the dental implant means to disturb the bone again. This means there should be a another healing period of about 3-6 months after the implant surgery BEFORE the implant crown is put on. If the crown is put on before the implant has integrated with the jawbone, the implant can fail because it has not had adequate time to intergrate with the bone.

I know you are feeling rushed to get this implant over with...... but if it is done too soon the likelihood of infection and failure is greater than if you wait.

I know this is alot to absorb...... if I need to clarify anything or you have other concerns, please don't hesitate to ask.

Bryanna ~'.'~



(QUOTE=lotta;502728]Bryanna,
Thank you so much for your quick reply.

In answer to your question, yes I am getting an implant on that tooth, they extracted it and the dentist filled it with what he called " Bone Powder" .. I assume it was some calcium compound, to help the bone grow. He said he will put in an implant next month. After reading all that can grow wrong with the implants.. yes I was stressed out. Actually I have a LOT of problems with my teeth ever since I was a child, knocked my front tooth out when I was 10, for which I have a bridge - lot of cavities filled, and some root canals and crowns. I really regret not having looked after my teeth when I was young.
When this tooth was not a good thing to have got a root canal in the first place.. and got a rootcanal, which was wrongly done.. I was suffering for past three months, eating soft foods, eating on one side only...on top of that, there was a lot going on my work front too. So I guess I could be grinding my teeth in my sleep. I had this problem few years back when I was under stress, my jaw ached and my dentist back home said I might have bruxism.( I think thats what it is called).
I will be going back home may be in 4 months, may be in 6 months.. can't say because of my job, have to leave when they say I have to. That brings it to my second question :
My dentist says after placing the implant next month, he will finish the crown 2 months after the implant, so that I can go home ( in case I have to in 4 months).. I read other threads where you said it is better to wait longer periods. Do you think it will be ok for me to have the implant soon ? Or should I wait.. which of course might be a problem if my job requires me to leave ?
I think this stress is more for me than anything else..
As far as the pain is concerned - if I am busy and don't think too much about it, it seems fine..
Thank you for your time, and reading so patiently through the long post.
I was going through the threads yesterday, and I really appreciate the way you take so much time to answer everyones' questions ![/QUOTE]