Teeth in day or same day implants: immediate load dental implants worth it?
Immediate load dental implants are most commonly defined as the placement of temporary teeth at the same time or very close to the timeframe of implant surgery (usually within 24-48 hours) and are kept in position during the healing period, after which the provisional teeth are replaced with permanent ones. Often associated with buzzwords such as “same day implants” or “teeth in a day”, immediate load dental implants respond to the immediate gratification needs of dental patients.
With delayed-load dental implants or traditional implants, the implants were commonly left to heal for 3 to 6 months before being loaded with the implant crown, denture or bridge. Healing time and osseointegration (the fusion of the implant to the jaw bone, which allows the implant post to be held firmly in position) are just as important for immediate load dental implants as they are for traditional implants.
Even though, in the case of immediate load implants, patents are fitted with provisional teeth, it is important to note that these replacement teeth do not serve a functional, but merely an aesthetic purpose, and are taken out-of-occlusion with the opposing side of the mouth. Functional load can be achieved, however, with dental procedures such as the all-on-4, where all the implants are locked so that they are held rigidly within the jawbone.
The reduced treatment time, the single surgical procedure and immediate aesthetic function are just some of the advantages of this procedure over the traditional implant procedure; however, certain prerequisites have to be met in order for the immediate load dental procedure to be successful:
- Sufficient quality and quantity of bone;
- Suitable initial stability of the implants;
- Soft tissue health;
- Implant size, design, type;
- Occlusion;
Same day dental implants cost and hints
Unless there is sufficient bone to properly support the implant, the immediate implant procedure may fail. This is why it is important to augment any lack of proper bone structure with bone grafts prior to implant placement. Similarly, to achieve a natural look, it should be enough tissue around the implant and crown. If necessary, gum tissue can also be grafted. The correct size and position of the implant also contribute greatly to the success of the immediate load implant.
Apart from the above listed prerequisites, there are also certain measures that have to be taken to avoid the most common risks associated with the same day implants:
- It is crucial that during the osseointegration period the implants are not disturbed and it is essential that the implant does not become overstressed by occlusal forces, otherwise the implants may fail;
- Gum health and careful oral hygiene are also a risk factor as the infection of the gums may also cause implant failure;
- Risks associated with patients not following dietary restrictions and other instructions (e.g. not eating hard food, lack of commitment to oral hygiene, etc.)
The actual immediate load dental procedure is not very complex, but rather the pre-planning and thorough screening of the patients. Once it has been determined that a patient qualifies for such a procedure and all necessary measures are taken both on the side of the dentist and that of the patient (e.g. dietary restrictions, oral hygiene etc.), the immediate load implant will be a success.
