Detailed Procedure Guide: Same Day Implants
Same day dental implants—which your dentist will refer to as immediate load implants—may appeal to you if:
- You want or need to minimize disruption to your day-to-day life, and
- Don’t like the idea of leaving the office with missing teeth
The main benefit of same day or immediate load implants is that you can potentially receive both your implant surgery and your new teeth on the same day.
The major drawback of same day implants is that there can be more associated risks and complications. You will need to closely follow your dentist’s instructions and stick to a soft diet for at least a few months after the procedure, as it is absolutely imperative that the implants don’t move during the healing period. Any stress or movement can negatively impact the bone-to-implant integration process and increase the risk of implant failure.
What is the process for same day implants?
With same day implants, teeth can be removed, implants inserted and crowns placed, all in a matter of hours. However, preoperative CT scans are required, which allow your implant dentist to plan precisely where the implants will be inserted into your jawbone.
How do you determine if you’re a good candidate for same day implants?
In general you may be a good candidate for same day implants—aka immediate load implants—if you have:
- healthy oral tissue
- adequate bone quantity and quality in the implant area
- no medical conditions that might negatively impact healing, including diabetes, certain medications, and smoking.
Your implant dentist can evaluate your teeth, jaw, mouth and overall health to determine whether you’re a good candidate for same day implants or an alternative solution.
Cost of same day implants
The cost of same day implants depends on a variety of factors, including the system utilized, the scope of treatment, and the final prosthesis. In general, the cost of same day implants is similar to traditional implant costs.
You will also want to consider the cost of any associated or preoperative procedures. You should ask your dentist if the following costs are additional:
- Initial oral evaluation/consultation
- Dental x rays
- Cone beam CT scan (CBCT)
- Additional bone grafting
- Anesthesia/sedation
Immediate load implant brands and materials
There are several well-respected companies that manufacture same day implants. More than likely, your implant dentist will mention one of these brand names when discussing immediate load implants with you.
Straumann- Nobel Biocare- Dentsply Sirona- Zimmer Biomet- BioHorizons- Blue Sky Bio- Implant Direct-MegaGen- Hiossen-Shatkin-
All of the dental implants they produce are manufactured using surgical grade titanium alloys, which are similar in composition to the materials used to create artificial joints.
Titanium is ideal for dental implants because it is:
- Non-corrosive
- Non-magnetic
- Lightweight
- Incredibly strong under stress
- Very low fracture rates
- Overall superior biocompatability
In addition, osteocytes (bone cells) integrate well with titanium and tend to grow towards the metal itself, thus creating a bond called osseointegration.
Preoperative advice and tips
Prior to the procedure your implant dentist may prescribe specific medications; s/he may also ask you to stop taking certain medications.
Requirements typically include the following do’s and don’ts:
Do brush your teeth prior to your appointment
- Do brush your teeth prior to your appointment
- Do wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing
- Don’t drink alcohol for at least 24 hours prior to the procedure
- Don’t eat or drink anything prior to your appointment
It’s important that you follow all of your dentist’s instructions precisely because each directive is specifically designed to increase the chances of a successful procedure.
Bone density requirements & preoperative scans
Proper diagnosis and pre-procedure planning are essential to the successful placement of same day implants. Implant dentists now have amazingly advanced technologies available in the office that aid in diagnosis and planning, including cone beam or CBCT imaging. The 3-D images allow your implant dentist to produce the best possible plan for your treatment.
For instance, bone quality and quantity can be observed and measured precisely so that the correct implant design can be chosen. Same day implants require a certain level of bone quality and quantity; if you don’t have it, bone grafting can create a more solid base for immediate load implants.
The bottom line is that the use of cone beam imaging or other CT scans leads to fewer risks, safer implant procedures, and better outcomes.
Anesthesia: Are you sedated for same day implant procedures?
Generally speaking, most dental implant procedures are performed using local anesthetic, which numbs the treatment area intraorally. It is very safe and predictable and “right” for the vast majority of these procedures.
Keep in mind that getting same day implants generally involves a longer procedure than traditional implants and conscious sedation or general anesthesia is typically utilized. You should discuss sedation options with your implant dentist during the consultation phase.
Are immediate load implants a same day procedure?
Yes, but understand that not everyone is a good candidate for immediate load implants. You need healthy oral tissue, adequate bone quantity and quality in the implant area, and can’t have a medical condition that might negatively impact healing, like diabetes. Also, there may be instances where there isn’t enough bone present post-extraction or an implant doesn’t fit precisely into the tooth socket. Initial stability is imperative for the procedure to be successful. It is important to note that there are many people that are not good candidates for immediate implants due to a variety of reasons and contraindications.
Your implant dentist can evaluate your teeth, jaw, mouth and overall health to determine whether you’re a good candidate for immediate load implants.
Duration of the process for same day implants
The process of installing same day or immediate load implants can sometimes be completed in one office visit. As the name implies, with immediate load implants the implants are inserted and the teeth placed at the same time that teeth are extracted. The process was developed in response to patient demand for faster “time-to-teeth” and to avoid the time period where a patient has no teeth.
Proper upkeep, issues with recovery and peri-implantitis
The success of any dental implant comes down to the way it fuses to the bone, and same day or immediate load implants have a slightly higher failure rate than those installed via the conventional implant process. However, immediate implant surgeries are becoming more and more popular and success rates have been increasing, especially when coupled with bone grafting procedures.
You’ll want to have an open conversation with your implant dentist to decide on a treatment plan and whether immediate load implants might be right for you. You’ll also need to be prepared to follow your dentist’s pre- and post-operative instructions precisely, to maximize the chance that your procedure is a success.
Peri-implantitis, a condition that is characterized by inflammation and progressive loss of supporting bone, is another concern. The onset of peri-implantitis can occur early during follow-up and often progresses in a non-linear and accelerating pattern. There is evidence that patients who exhibit poor plaque control skills and are less diligent about maintenance care have an increased risk of developing peri-implantitis.
Post-procedure tips and advice for proper healing of same day implants
Post-procedure care is imperative to the successful healing of immediate load implants. After leaving your implant dentist’s office, relax at home for at least three days following the surgery. Avoid hot and solid foods, and do not use a straw. Also, avoid aerobic exercise or any other strenuous activity for at least a week afterwards. Finally, maintain a diet of soft foods for as long as your dentist prescribes; also avoid any foods that are hard or crunchy for as long as your dentist recommends.
You’ll also want to follow your dentist’s specific instructions for brushing, flossing and rinsing.
How to prevent implant failure
If you get same day or immediate load implants it’s imperative that you follow your dentist’s pre- and post-operative instructions without fail.
In terms of behaviors that can lead to implant failure, smoking is far and away the biggest detriment to implant healing due to vasoconstriction—that is, limited blood flow to the surgical site.