When we lose a tooth or several teeth, we naturally want to replace them as quickly as possible. Same-day implants can make this a reality if you qualify as a good candidate for the procedure.
Are Same Day Implants Right for You?
Many factors determine whether same-day implants are right for a patient, including current health, what procedures need to be done, and what kind of care is necessary before receiving the implants. We understand that you want your smile back. If same-day dental implants are right for you, you can have your smile back in a single day.
What Are Same-Day Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a metal post that is fused into the jaw bone of the patient. A false tooth or teeth made out of porcelain is placed on the posts, which act as anchors to permanently hold your new teeth in place.
Instead of the traditional months-long dental implants process, same-day implants get you in and out of our office in a single day. However, you will need a consultation visit before the procedure and a follow-up visit afterward. Still, three visits to the dentist is a lot more convenient than having to go through the traditional process.
The traditional process involves extracting your broken tooth or teeth and then waiting up to four months for the socket to heal. In that period of time, setbacks such as infection could occur.
Upon returning to our office, we would insert the implants, followed by another 3-6 months of waiting until crowns can be placed on the implants. It’s not quite a year-long process, but it’s close enough to understand the desire for same-day implants.
Same-day dental implants require a consultation visit to see if you qualify to receive the implants, the procedure on the day of your surgery, and a follow-up visit to check on your implants. After that, you’re all set to show the world your new smile.
How Do Same-Day Implants Work?
So, you already know the basics, but now you want more details. After your pre-surgery consultation, you’ll arrive on the day of your surgery and be escorted to an oral surgery chair by a dental assistant. We will do our best to make you comfortable as you prepare yourself for the procedure.
You won’t necessarily have to be placed under general anesthesia, but a form of anesthesia as chosen by you and your dentist will be used. The implant procedure takes anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours.
Your mouth needs time to heal, so you won’t be getting your crowns the same day. But you will get temporary teeth until you do. Once the healing period of a few months is over, you will trade in your temporary teeth for permanent crowns. With the final hurdle out of the way, it’s time to enjoy your new permanent teeth and the smile that comes with it.
Pros and Cons of Same-Day Implants
Like any other procedure, same-day dental implants have pros and cons to consider before going through with it. After all, there are other options you and your dentist can explore to improve your smile. But here are the pros and cons of same-day implants:
Pros
- Immediate restoration of your teeth instead of going through a months-long process.
- The implants fuse to the bone more efficiently.
- Healing is quicker and gums are less likely to recede.
- Implants prevent healing sockets from being contaminated.
Cons
- There’s a small chance the implants could fail, but it is higher than going the traditional route.
- Same-day implants may have more marginal bone loss that can cause failure.
- Swelling and discomfort after the procedure is more prevalent.
- Longer time spent in the dental chair.
Types of Same Day Implants
Dental implants last for a lifetime and you have a few implant options to choose from depending on your needs.
Single Tooth Dental Implant
A single tooth dental implant is exactly that, a single post fused into the bone to replace one tooth. Your dentist places a crown made of ceramic or porcelain on the implant and it will match the rest of your teeth as if you never had a tooth problem at all. This is a relatively quick procedure that will have you in and out of our office in no time.
Full Arch Dental Implants
When several teeth on the top arch or bottom arch are in need of replacement, full arch dental implants are what you will receive. And there are two types:
TeethXPress Implants
Using fewer titanium implants that bond with the bone, TeethXPress is a prosthetic that acts as a full set of teeth. This is a major procedure that requires 3-6 months of healing time, which means you will get temporary teeth during that period of time and then receive crowns after you achieve full healing.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Implant-supported dentures are a type of implant in which the dentist takes your existing dentures and turns them into implants. You still leave with a full smile, but it takes a little longer.
The initial consultation will help you and your dentist determine which implants are right for you.
Factors Determining Candidacy for Same Day Implants
The consultation appointment is when your dentist will evaluate whether you qualify for same-day implants. There are many factors to consider during the process. The patient should be healthy overall and tobacco-free. Factors that make a patient unsuitable for same-day implants include gum disease, poor oral health, tobacco usage, autoimmune and chronic diseases, and a jawbone that is too soft or thin. The condition of the jawbone is one of the most important factors.
How and Where to Get Same Day Implants
Dr. Andrew Greenberg is an oral surgeon in Westchester NY with more than three decades of experience who specializes in dental implants and teeth extraction. If you need dental implants or think same-day implants might be right for you, call our office or visit our website today. Let’s schedule a consultation appointment so you can start down the road to a new and improved smile that will last a lifetime.