I was informed 5 months after the implant that it should have a healing cap. Healing cap can’t go on for another 5 months, then 6 months later the crown. Hasn’t the implant healed already? is it too late for the healing cap? Can I have the crown without the healing cap?
i am assuming you are a patient. this is a forum for dentists only. but i’ll answer your question. Your dentist is waiting for your bone to integrate w/ your implant on average takes ~4 months. which is just like how a broken bone takes months to heal a fracture, ie your arm in a cast. typically, when implant is placed a healing cap (or cover screw) is placed on top of implant to hide the implant under the gums for ~4 months.
after 4 months of waiting for integration. dentist will do a small surgery to expose the implant and place a healing collar/abutment on top of the implant.
This prepares the gums for impression. once the gums heals which usually takes 2 weeks, the dentist will take the impression to have the crown fabricated. usually takes the lab 2 weeks to fabricate. lastly the dentist will secure the crown on top of the implant.
So as you can see it takes a while before you can have a crown on your implant. so please be patient. total time from implant placement to crown delivery usually takes 4-5 months on average, but can also take >6 months pending drs discretion.
another issue could be payment issue, if you ONLY rely on payment from your dental insurance and you DO NOT want to pay anything out of pocket.
FOR EXAMPLE: if your insurance approves of implant and crown treatment, but your allowance is only $2000 per year; then probably will take over 1 year to finish an implant (if the total charge of implant and crown is $3500). First year to place the implant, and second year to place the crown.
So delaying for so long could be a payment issue. Not healing or procedure step issue. good luck.
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question on timing for it allows me to make a decision.
Dear Patient,
Please refrain from using this forum for your own personal gain.
Your dentist can provide the answers you need
Thank you