Immediate Load Implants –
Can you really have teeth in a day?

For traditional dentistry, dental implants have typically involved multiple stages:

• Extraction and Grafting. Extraction of failing teeth and bone grafting, followed by 3-6 months healing.
• Implant Surgery. Placement of implant/s, followed by a 3-6 months healing period, during which the implant surface integrates with the surrounding bone.
• Placement of Teeth. Trial and fitting of the permanent replacement teeth/prosthetic.

We can see that this process can last several months, for much of which the patient will have a temporary denture or prosthesis. Clearly, any techniques which brought a more immediate reward for the patient’s dental implant treatment were to be welcomed!

Ever heard of immediate implants? Also known as ‘teeth in a day’, this treatment is becoming increasingly popular among those looking for a fast and permanent solution to their tooth loss. But what exactly are they? And are they right for you? Find out everything you need to know about immediate implants in this article.

Immediate Load implants (Same Day Implants, Immediate all on 4 dental implants) mean the placement of a tooth, bridge, or denture right after the implant installation surgery.

Traditionally, there’s a 3-6 month healing time in between the implant surgery and the placement of the permanent teeth. With immediate implants, you walk away with a permanent replacement teeth right after the dental surgery.

Load means the pressure you put on the titanium implant post and the surrounding bone. Load could mean the permanent teeth pressure or the bite pressure.

In the past few years, there are a number of new implant systems and surgical techniques that have made immediate loading of dental implants possible.

For this article, we will focus on immediate bridge/denture secured by implants.

Comparison Between Immediate Load Implants vs Multi-Stage Dental Implants

The two chief factors that have given clinicians the confidence to install immediate loading implants are the following:

• OsseoIntegration Research. It used to believed, on the strength of good research, that any immediate loading of an implant was likely to damage the bone with which the implant was in contact, and that an extended period of passive integration was required. Recent research shows this to be an overstatement, and that teeth implants installed in patients with certain bone types (and with sufficient of it!) can, indeed, be gradually loaded right after the implant installation in the same day. Provided loads are not excessive, the minor insults resulting from chewing soft food can actually foster bone generation!

• New Technologies such as 3D modeling CAD / CAM software using CT Scans. Advanced dental technology such as 3D guided implant placements allows your dentist to deeply analyze your bone structure and plan the implant placements accurately relative to the bone density and quality. New surgical techniques and materials such as angular placement of long implants permit their immediate use. Final adjustment is still necessary, but the patient has the aesthetic, and some of the functional benefits of replacement teeth from the moment they are installed.

Although one day loading techniques are used for single tooth replacements, a particularly exciting development has been the full arch, implant-supported permanent bridge, replacing all the teeth in the jaw.

In many cases where extensive tooth loss has occurred, trying to hang on to the few remaining teeth can be a fool’s errand. They are likely to be compromised, and clearing them allows the dentist great freedom to place implants in such a way that they provide great strength and durability. Because of the number of implants they use, these techniques are variously known as All on Four dental implants, or All on Six.

First, you have to establish that this is, indeed, a treatment that is suited to you. So you’ll need the following:

• CT Scan. Have a tomographic scan, from which your dental surgeon will determine the shape, extent and type of your bone. Bone varies greatly between individuals, in its density and quality. Factors such as advanced age lead to less bone quality.

• 3D Guided Surgery Planning. Once you have established that this treatment is right for you, your oral surgeon can use the CT / Cone Beam scan to plan your implant placement. Usually, he uses a 3D dental modeling software to accurately position the implants. A prosthodontist prepares the denture to be installed after the surgery.

• After Surgery Instructions. Before the surgery, your doctor will explain how to take care of your new implant and teeth after after you leave the dental surgery. You will be told to load your teeth implants gradually, starting with very soft food such as soups and pastas. You will be educated on the special steps you need to maintain the hygiene of your new teeth replacement.

• Dental Surgery. When all is in place, you come in for your dental implant surgery, followed immediately by the installation of the permanent bridge/prosthesis.

• Prosthesis Installation. The precise geometry of your titanium posts is recorded to enable the prosthodontist to create the proper holes in the prosthesis. These holes will receive the implant post extensions from the jaw.

• Follow up appointments. You will be scheduled for control checkups to ensure proper progression of healing. In some cases, you may need an adjustment or replacement of the permanent bridge / prosthesis after it’s fully healed.

Once your final prosthesis is in place, you will have lasting, durable and attractive replacement teeth.