Expert: Lawrence Spindel DDS, www.lspindeldds.com - 11/2/2008

Question
hello,
i am getting conflicting opinions on when to place an implant. i had a molar extracted and a graft placed.  one dentist is telling me i can have the post put in after 6 weeks and another is telling me i should wait 5 months. obviously i want to avoid any possibility of implant faiure so i don't know what to do or who to listen to! can you tell me what your protocol is for placing posts into grafted sites?

Answer
Dear Lauren,

Implants can  be placed into some sites immediately on the day of the extraction with grafting at the same time.  Without a real examination. Each site is different so it really is hard to answer your question. I will attempt to give you some general information that may be helpful to you.

Although I am not an implant surgeon, I do restore implants.  The surgeon I use usually waits about 3 months after an extraction and grafting to place the implant. He says he likes the consistency of the grafting and newly formed bone at that point. I tend to be conservative and I like his usual protocol.  Certainly 5-6 months is ok also.  I personally go along with what ever the surgeon is comfortable doing and recommends. I think it should be left up to your surgeon to make the decision.  

I recommend discussing with your surgeons the pros and cons of when to place an implant after an extraction with  grafting. Hear what their experience has been and listen to their explanations.

I hope this information was helpful to you and please feel free to contact me with any future dental questions.