Dental implants are restorative devices used to replace missing teeth. They look and feel like natural teeth, which means you can eat the same foods that you enjoy without worrying about damage or embarrassment. These implants provide a solution that many patients value.
However, you may wonder what is involved in a same-day dental implant procedure or how I can get new teeth quickly? Whether you need to replace a single tooth or multiple teeth, this blog will give you the information you need on same-day dental implants and why sometimes fast isn’t the best option.
Dental implants can restore a smile caused by tooth loss and help people regain their confidence. Unfortunately, if you’re not careful to select an experienced implant dentist in the Allen or Fairview area, the procedure can leave you with a less than ideal smile. The problem is that some dentists have little experience with the procedure and don’t take the time to carefully plan how they will achieve the best results for the patient. Instead, they follow a standard protocol that doesn’t account for individual nuances or differences in anatomy or approach. The result is often subpar results.
The success of dental implants depends on several factors, including the patient’s oral health and where in the mouth the implants are placed. An experienced implant dentist will carefully plan the entire process and analyze your situation when planning to place dental implants. They may also recommend preparatory procedures, such as a bone graft, to give your dental implants the highest possible chance of success.
There are many steps to complete before dental implant surgery can be started, and the process will generally take at least three appointments (initial dental implant consultation, treatment, and post-op). Depending on the procedure, certain implant procedures may require extra time for healing after surgery before any dental restorations can be attached. This extra time allows the implants to bond with the surrounding bone, providing the strongest possible support for crowns, bridges, or dentures attached to them.
Dental implants are an excellent way to replace missing or damaged teeth with permanent ones. And, when you receive same-day dental implants, you can go back to your regular routine the same day. To get same-day dental implants, your dentist will first remove the damaged tooth and prepare the area for implantation. They will then insert an implant into the area where your tooth was extracted. When you leave that day, you’ll already have implants in place! So, instead of waiting weeks or months for new teeth to set in place, you can have a perfect smile back in no time.
There are both benefits and drawbacks that you should be aware of when it comes to any surgical procedure. Here are some of the pros and cons, along with suggestions about whether or not you might be a good fit for this type of dental procedure.
One of the benefits patients enjoy about this procedure is that it simplifies their treatment because they can have their implant surgery and their new teeth all on the same day, in a single procedure. Here are some numerous benefits of same-day implants.
With same-day implants, the main risk with any implant procedure is osseointegration and following recovery guidelines to ensure the implant does not fail. Osseointegration is the process of the implants fusing with the jawbone, a process that can take three to six months to fuse fully. For the implant to be successful, whether it is same-day or with traditional implants, osseointegration must occur for the implant to be successful long-term. During the healing period, it is strongly advised that patients follow recovery guidelines to minimize the risk of the implant failing.
Before any treatment is done, we’ll schedule you for three separate appointments: a pre-procedure consultation where we discuss your treatment options, the actual surgery, and a post-procedure follow-up. Each of these is designed to give you thorough care and ensure that you leave our office with a great smile.
Implant placement usually takes 2 to 3 hours, depending on the number of teeth implanted. Like traditional implants, same-day dental implants still require some healing time. This means that crowns cannot be placed until the gums and jaw have entirely healed. Instead, you’ll first receive temporary teeth at the time of your procedure once your implant is placed into your jaw bone. Following your dental implant surgery, your doctor will prescribe you pain medication during the healing process. Once the gums have fully healed, we’ll replace the temporary teeth with permanent teeth (dental crown). This means you’ll have a full-smile on day one and a permanent smile in just a few months.
To be considered a good candidate for dental implants, you must have good overall health and not smoke or give up the habit for a short period following the surgery. The reason for that is because smoking can lead to bacteria growth in the mouth, which can make its way to the implant site and cause an infection. Here are some other factors to see if you’re a good fit.
If you need bone grafting and show signs of dental issues such as suffering from poor oral health or chronic diseases like autoimmune disease or periodontal disease (gum disease), it’s important to contact our office to see if same-day implants are right for you. If you’re not currently an ideal candidate, Dr. Feng will still be able to develop a treatment plan customized to your needs, or she may also recommend other procedures to help you achieve your smile goals.
It depends on the individual smile goals, overall health, and risk tolerance. If your goal is to replace missing teeth with new ones right away while following post-op instructions, then same-day implants can work for you. However, if you don’t mind waiting for a little to ensure you have the highest success rate for the implant working, then traditional implants might work for you. Good things take time, as the saying goes. It might be challenging to wait for your new smile with traditional implants, but you’ll realize that it was worth it when it is in place!
Implants last as long as traditional methods: 10+ years. Factors that influence their longevity include:
Same-day dental implants provide the same tooth replacement benefits as traditional implants. The difference is the new teeth will be placed on the abutment following the placement instead of waiting 3 to 6 months.
If you’re missing one tooth or multiple teeth and want to know more about same-day implants, traditional implants, or have questions on how you can restore your beautiful smile, contact Sloan Creek Dental for your initial consultation. Our experienced dentist and team can help you navigate the process from beginning to end and go over treatment options available to you.
You can reach us at our Fairview, TX dental office to schedule an in-person consultation with us today – 972-468-1440. Our dental office is located in Fairview, Texas, and our patients visit us from across the surrounding areas, including Allen, Plano, McKinney, and Lucas.
