“How do I know if my dental implant is healing correctly?”

If the area is not sore, most likely it's doing fine. Don't try to check it, it may move the implants.

The bone around the implant would show a direct contact to the surrounding bone on an x ray initially, then a thicker bone would form directly around the implant and it would show as a whiter thin band, and it is called cortical bone. An implant integrates to the bone slowly and it becomes very solid, an implant does not have any movement like a natural tooth that can move very slightly almost imperceptibly, kind of like a nail on wood. An implant is more like a screw or rebar in concrete. if an implant moves or wiggles ever so slightly after a restoration has been placed, then that implant is not healing well. Keep in mind that implants rate of success varies and is limited, depending on the quality of the patient's bone, patient's general health, habits and age.

96% of implants heal without any problems. If there is redness around the implant of if there is sensitivity you should go back to the dentist who placed the implamtimplant

Hello,

Good for you for taking interest in the process of your implant. There are two areas of concern with an implant healing. The initial placement of the implant and the gums around it. This usually heals without the person knowing about it. The person who places the implant will usually schedule a follow up visit to make sure the healing is going well. Finally, after a few months (usually 3-4) the person who placed the implant will schedule another follow up to check the long-term healing of the implant (osseous integration of the bone around the implant). This means the bone is going to heal around the implant and stabilize it. Unfortunately, there is no way to know during those few months if how the implant is healing. After the prescribed amount of time, the person who placed the implant will use a few different methods to check the stability. There is a machine that they can place on it, although some studies have shown that tapping on it is just as effective. It is noteworthy that even the best implants only get up to 60% of their surface area integrated with bone.
Hope this helps.

My best to you!

William F. Scott IV, DMD

You will know as it will start getting loose and move and create discomfort .

A good sign your implant is healing properly is lack of redness, inflammation and/or pain. Gum around the implant has a normal pinkish color and looks the same as gum in the other area in your month. Complete healing takes about 4-6 months.

Monika Tyszkowski, DDS

Truth is sometimes you don’t know. if there is no pain and (or) swelling then you’re probably doing fine- especially if you are many months past the date of placement. Let your Dr. check it and ease your anxiety.

Xrays

Implant healing should be evaluated by the treating dentist with follow up radiographs and clinical examination. Many factors affect healing and time can vary between patients. On a healthy patient, healing is expected to be completed in 6 months.