Dental implants are designed to look, feel, and function more like natural teeth than other tooth replacement options. It's no wonder it's so popular. In fact, more than 5 million dental implants are placed every year in the United States.
Unfortunately, the traditional method for getting dental implants takes a minimum of three months and may take up to a year, depending on your situation. Typically, the dentist starts with any preliminary procedures such as extractions, gum disease treatment, or bone grafting. After that, the implants are placed, and you're sent home to heal. In a few months, you can come back to have the abutment placed and order the crown. Finally, 2 to 3 weeks later, you can have your crown placed.
At Sunflower Dental Spa, we offer same-day implants. In this article, we'll explain more about this procedure and how to determine if this is the right option for you.
What Are Same-Day Dental Implants?
Same-day dental implants allow you to leave the office with your new teeth on the same day that your unhealthy ones are extracted. This means that you don't have to invest several months to a year to get your new teeth.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Same-Day Dental Implants?
Every dental procedure has pros and cons, including same-day dental implants. Dental implant placement is an invasive procedure that may involve some discomfort during recovery and many patients don't qualify, based on their overall health. Below, we'll look at the pros and cons of this procedure:
Pros
- Immediate results, leave the clinic with your new teeth
- Less time spent in the clinic
- Less expensive than traditional implants
Cons
- Higher risk of infection and implant failure
How Do Same-Day Dental Implants Work?
The process of getting same-day dental implants is similar to that of getting traditional dental implants. The primary difference is the type of implants used. Immediate-load implants, or ILIs, have been proven successful with individual and multiple tooth replacements. Here's what you can expect with the same-day dental implants procedure:
- Consultation It's important to note that not everyone qualifies for same-day dental implants. Therefore, you will need an initial consultation. This will allow the dentist to determine whether you need additional procedures such as bone grafting or sinus lifting, as well as the best placement for the implants.
- Surgery Local anesthesia will be administered to the area to prevent you from feeling pain. If necessary, you may be given a mild sedative to help you relax. If necessary, extractions will be done and your mouth will be thoroughly cleaned. Holes will be drilled in the jawbone for the implant screw to be placed. Then, the surgical sites will be cleaned up and the incisions stitched.
- Fitting Once the implants are in place, abutments can be fitted with artificial teeth. If the implant is unstable, we may recommend that you leave it uncapped until healing and osseointegration are complete. This will prevent damage to the jawbone from a shifting implant. In some cases, a temporary overdenture may be placed, which will need to be replaced in a few months.
- Aftercare Once the procedure is complete, you will be sent home to begin recovery. Typically, with same-day dental implants, you can continue your normal habits with only a few changes. The two most important changes to consider are diet and oral hygiene habits. You may want to consider a soft foods diet for a while to allow your jawbone to fuse with the implant.You may experience some discomfort, swelling, bleeding, and/or bruising. However, these are typically mild. If you feel that any of these are excessive, contact the clinic as soon as possible so that we can address the issue.
- Final Checks In about 6 months, you'll return to the clinic for a check-up. We will do a full examination to determine if the implant has healed properly and your teeth fit together as they should.
Who is Eligible for Same-Day Dental Implants?
There are certain eligibility criteria that must be met in order to qualify for same-day dental implants. The team at Sunflower Dental Spa will work with you to determine if you meet these qualifications during your consultation:
- Good overall health, no underlying medical conditions or medications that could impact healing
- Adequate jawbone health and density
- Non-smoker, or willing to stop smoking throughout the process
However, if any of the following apply to you, then you may not qualify for same-day dental implants:
- Active gum disease
- Chronic or autoimmune disease
- Poor oral health and hygiene habits
- Bruxism
Schedule Your Same-Day Dental Implant Consultation Today
If you need dental implants and want to know more about the same-day dental implant option, schedule your consultation today. We believe that a visit to the dentist should be relaxing, not stressful. We offer a spa-like environment with heated massage chairs, eye masks, pillows and blankets, and more.
We are located at 4095 US Highway 1 in Rockledge. Our office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Same-Day Dental Implants FAQs
The team at Sunflower Dental Spa understands that you have questions when it comes to dental procedures. We are happy to address these at any time during your treatment with us. Below, we've provided some answers to commonly asked questions about same-day dental implants.
Are same-day dental implants safe?
Any oral surgery comes with risks of complications. However, for healthy patients, as long as you work with an experienced professional, you should have no problems with your same-day dental implants.
Are same-day dental implants better than traditional implants?
The advantages of same-day dental implants are about the same as traditional dental implants. The primary difference is the reduced healing time- as long as you follow the aftercare instructions you are given.
What is the success rate of same-day implants?
Research shows that the success rate of same-day dental implants is about the same as traditional dental implants.
Can a tooth extraction and implant happen on the same day?
In some cases, an implant can be placed at the same time as a tooth extraction. This depends on the condition of your mouth.
