Before we dive into timelines and treatment options, let us introduce our compassionate team:
Dr. Leslie Patrick
Known for her clear communication and dedication to dental excellence. She takes the time to explain every step of your care.
Dr. Raheel Thobani
Owner of Smyrna Dental Studio and a trusted local expert in cosmetic and implant dentistry. Patients love his gentle approach and commitment to advanced dental techniques.
Dr. Natasha Kanchwala
Passionate about restoring healthy, confident smiles through cosmetic and implant dentistry.
Together, our doctors are redefining what it means to get dental implants in Smyrna, with personalized care that puts you first.
A lot of patients fear that getting implants means walking around with a gap in their smile for months.
But here’s the good news:
You don’t always have to go without teeth while waiting for dental implants. There are temporary options available in many cases, so you never have to miss out on smiling, eating, or speaking confidently.
Let’s explore what that looks like.
There are a few different ways dental implants can be placed, and each has its own timeline.
1. Immediate Dental Implants
Placed on the same day as tooth extraction
Usually requires strong jawbone and healthy gum tissue
Can be combined with temporary tooth replacement
Ideal for front teeth or cosmetic areas
🦷 Result: You don’t go without a tooth at all!
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2. Early Implant Placement (After 6–10 Weeks of Healing)
Allows soft tissue and bone to heal slightly
Reduces risk of implant failure in cases of minor infection or bone compromise
Often paired with temporary tooth options during healing
🦷 Result: You may wear a temporary tooth while waiting for the implant.
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3. Delayed Implant Placement (After 3–6 Months of Healing)
Recommended if there’s infection, bone loss, or complex surgical needs
Gives your mouth full time to heal before implant surgery
Can still use a temporary solution (like a flipper or bridge)
🦷 Result: Longer wait for implant, but you won’t go without teeth thanks to cosmetic temporaries.
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To answer the big question, How long do you go without teeth when getting implants?, we also need to talk about temporary restorations.
Here are the most common options we offer in Smyrna to help patients maintain their smile during the implant process:
1. Flipper Tooth (Removable Partial Denture)
Lightweight, acrylic, affordable
Ideal for front teeth
Easy to take in and out
2. Temporary Bridge
Fixed in place (non-removable)
Can be supported by nearby teeth or existing implants
Offers better aesthetics and function than a flipper
3. Essix Retainer with Tooth
Clear aligner-style tray with a tooth built in
Great for single missing front teeth
Virtually invisible
4. Immediate Load Implants (Teeth-in-a-Day)
In select cases, we place a temporary crown directly on the implant
Requires healthy bone and proper stability
Most implant treatments take 3 to 9 months, but that doesn’t mean you’ll go without a tooth. At Smyrna Dental Studio, we provide temporary solutions to keep your smile intact while your implant heals. You’ll have a natural-looking replacement the entire time, so you’re never left with a gap.
While many patients want their implants ASAP, your timeline depends on:
Gum health
Bone density and volume
Presence of infection or gum disease
Smoking or chronic medical conditions
Whether you need a bone graft or sinus lift
We’ll perform 3D imaging and a full oral health exam to determine your exact timeline and whether you can get immediate implants.
Sometimes, tooth loss also leads to bone loss in the jaw, which can affect how quickly we place your implant.
In these cases, you might need a bone graft to rebuild the jawbone before the implant is placed. Bone grafts typically take 3–6 months to heal before implant surgery. But again, you won’t go without teeth, we’ll provide a temporary replacement in the meantime.
Yes, if the conditions are right. This is called immediate implant placement, and it’s most successful when:
There’s no infection
The bone is strong and stable
You’re in good general health
At Smyrna Dental Studio, we’ll evaluate you for this option during your initial consultation.
Rachel M.
"I thought I’d have to go without a front tooth for months, but Dr. Thobani gave me a temporary the same day. No one could even tell!"
Jamal W.
"They made the implant process so easy and explained everything. I never felt like I was without teeth, even during healing."
