Can I just have a tooth extracted and delay insertion of a post for later implant? How long could I wait?

[Bill54]

I have an upper tooth (Number 5?) with an old metallic filling on the bite surface. The tooth has cracked around the filling and it has been torturing me. I have seen two dentists; one told me that if I have it pulled, the other teeth will start coming out. The second told me that if I have it pulled, then a post will need to be inserted immediately (at great expense) if I want an implant later. He wants to do a root canal instead. I am on antibiotics now, awaiting next appointment.

Question: If the tooth is pulled, can’t I have the post and implant inserted later? If so, how long could I wait? It is a problem of expense, and I want immediate relief.

 

[Dr M]

Good day

An implant can be placed at a later stage depending on the bone quality and space between planned implant and adjacent structures. Some specialists advise to wait 3 to 6 months to allow bone healing to take place. If there was infection, then you have to wait a bit longer.

 

[Bill54]

Thank you for your reply, Dr. M. May I ask one more question?
A dentist told me I would need a guided tissue regeneration and bone graft after extraction (immediately, I gather) to preserve the bone structure. This would be quite expensive. Is an immediate bone graft, etc. really necessary? I just want to have the tooth pulled; it is slow torture.

 

[Dr M]

Good day

It all depends on the extraction procedure. If it is a difficult extraction with more than normal bone loss, and there was not much bone to begin with, then this might be necessary.