[KSMacy]

How long, in general does it take for bone to fill in extraction sites? I had bone grafts done at the time of extraction. The Oral Surgeon stated that the 'optimum time to do implants would be at about 3 months'. When I asked how long I could wait due to financial considerations he said, 'once bone fills in, if nothing is implanted, the bone begins to resolve after 3 months. Best time for implants following bone grafts would be about 3 months.

Thank you,
Jane

[Bryanna]

Hi Jane,

After a tooth is extracted, it takes about one year for the bone to heal closed. When a graft is placed after the tooth is removed, the healing of the bone occurs a little quicker as the graft encourages your own bone to grow into it.

In most cases so long as the bone is healthy, a dental implant can be placed within one year of the bone graft. After that time the bone will begin to recede and it may not remain adequate for a dental implant.

Ideally, a dental implant should be placed in healthy bone about 3-6 months after the extraction. Everyone is different and some need more time to heal while others heal more quickly. Some obtain a better bone level than others. There is no one determination for everyone.

When did you intend on having the implant done?

Bryanna

Originally Posted by KSMacy

How long, in general does it take for bone to fill in extraction sites? I had bone grafts done at the time of extraction. The Oral Surgeon stated that the 'optimum time to do implants would be at about 3 months'. When I asked how long I could wait due to financial considerations he said, 'once bone fills in, if nothing is implanted, the bone begins to resolve after 3 months. Best time for implants following bone grafts would be about 3 months.

Thank you,
Jane

[KSMacy]

Originally Posted by Bryanna

Hi Jane,

After a tooth is extracted, it takes about one year for the bone to heal closed. When a graft is placed after the tooth is removed, the healing of the bone occurs a little quicker as the graft encourages your own bone to grow into it.

In most cases so long as the bone is healthy, a dental implant can be placed within one year of the bone graft. After that time the bone will begin to recede and it may not remain adequate for a dental implant.

Ideally, a dental implant should be placed in healthy bone about 3-6 months after the extraction. Everyone is different and some need more time to heal while others heal more quickly. Some obtain a better bone level than others. There is no one determination for everyone.

When did you intend on having the implant done?

Bryanna

Thank you, Bryanna, I'm sorry I took so long to get back.

The OS said the optimum time would most likely be at 3 months. I have not been back to the OS for follow-up as our financial situation took a big hit and I can't afford to do the implants now. Furthermore, I left my original dentist because the dentures were not made properly and she would not remake them. She said I would have to pay $4,000 for a new set. I felt that was unfair as she knew she made a mistake and should have been responsible to replace them.

Anyway, I found a Prosthodontist who helped me out by trying to fix these dentures but told me he could only do so much. I've seen him 3 times and each time he helped.

He said he could make a new 'temporary' which would fit properly and get me through the healing time for the implants. His charge was the same I paid for these from the other dentist (who didn't seem to know anything about making dentures.

Long and short, I can't afford to do implants and the new denture. If I got the implants I'd have to live with these horrible dentures for a year. I can't do that. I need to feel comfortable and function again. I opted for the new temporaries and will have to wait for the implants. Thus, my original question. I don't know if I should go back to the OS and follow up and ask his advice. But, no matter what he says, I can't do the implants for another 6 months...at least.

I'm so worn out over all of this, I just want to try to get my life back to normal.

Thanks again,
Jane

[Bryanna]

Hi Jane,

Most people have up to a year to place implants in grafted areas. But not everyone will fall into that category and there is no way anyone could tell you if you do or not. There are different reasons why bone grows slowly or not as much in one person to another. Overall health, medications, genetics, health of the jaw bone..... etc.

If you cannot do the implants for 6 months due to finances than that is what it has to be. Hopefully the bone will be okay at that time. I think that is what the OS is going to tell you.

I am very upset about that dentist not reimbursing you the money for those ill fitting dentures. I know you feel drained and have been through a lot... but believe me... dentists are use to reimbursing patients for sub par dental treatment. In the US, I believe you have 1 year to file a claim against the dentist. Of course the sooner you do that, the better it looks for you and the faster you can move forward with your dental work. You could call the local dental board and ask them to send you the forms to fill out. Once they get the forms back from you, they will review it, and contact the dentist to inform her that there has been a complaint against her. They may suggest to her that she just pay up and shut up! Usually, the dentist gets so flustered when they hear from the board that they just want to deal with it right away and try to negotiate a deal with the patient. I've seen this happen so many times. I feel bad for you and don't want to see you taken advantage of.

Hang in there Jane.... this will all be a memory one day

Bryanna

Originally Posted by KSMacy

Thank you, Bryanna, I'm sorry I took so long to get back.

The OS said the optimum time would most likely be at 3 months. I have not been back to the OS for follow-up as our financial situation took a big hit and I can't afford to do the implants now. Furthermore, I left my original dentist because the dentures were not made properly and she would not remake them. She said I would have to pay $4,000 for a new set. I felt that was unfair as she knew she made a mistake and should have been responsible to replace them.

Anyway, I found a Prosthodontist who helped me out by trying to fix these dentures but told me he could only do so much. I've seen him 3 times and each time he helped.

He said he could make a new 'temporary' which would fit properly and get me through the healing time for the implants. His charge was the same I paid for these from the other dentist (who didn't seem to know anything about making dentures.

Long and short, I can't afford to do implants and the new denture. If I got the implants I'd have to live with these horrible dentures for a year. I can't do that. I need to feel comfortable and function again. I opted for the new temporaries and will have to wait for the implants. Thus, my original question. I don't know if I should go back to the OS and follow up and ask his advice. But, no matter what he says, I can't do the implants for another 6 months...at least.

I'm so worn out over all of this, I just want to try to get my life back to normal.

Thanks again,
Jane