Are Same-Day Implants Right for You? Pros, Cons, and Candidacy

Thankfully, there are solutions for this common concern. With same-day implants, the patient can enjoy a quick restoration in one procedure. These implants are sometimes referred to as All-On-4 dental implants.

The same day restoration option is ideal for patients looking for a full arch restoration, for the top or bottom arch, or for both. It can offer an instant smile upgrade, allowing patients to move away from traditional treatment options such as dentures.

In this guide, we are exploring the benefits of same day implants, alongside the potential downsides for this treatment plan. We’ll also look at what makes a patient a good candidate for this course of treatment.

By the end of this guide, you should feel more confident in deciding if this treatment is right for you. It could also help to give you the confidence to ask your dentist about this life-changing treatment.

What are same-day implants?

Same day implants are a variation on the popular dental implant treatment. With traditional dental implants, a short titanium implant is used to support a single crown. This is placed straight into the jaw bone, parallel to neighbouring roots.

With same day dental implants, longer implants are used and placed at an angle. This angle allows for a load-bearing restoration to be placed on the same day. Unlike with other treatment plans, we don’t have to wait for the bone to heal and attach to the implant before we place the final restoration.

By placing the implants at an angle, the implant will support a restoration on the same day, and then the jaw bone will fuse with the implant in the weeks and months following treatment.

The same day implant procedure

The main difference in this procedure is that it will be completed in just one visit. If bone grafting is required ahead of the treatment, this will extend the treatment time, as we will need to wait for the bone graft to generate new bone.

You will have an X-Ray and sometimes a CT scan before the treatment, as this will help your dentist to plan the placement of the implants for maximum benefit. The treatment will typically use 4-6 implants per arch to support a whole denture.

You may be fitted with a temporary denture on the day of the procedure and return to the practice for your final denture that is better matched to your mouth once the implants have settled.

After treatment, you might feel a little sore and tender. Over the counter pain medication will help you to manage any discomfort. You should also switch to a diet of soft food that does not require a lot of chewing in order to prevent excessive pressure on your implants during the initial healing stage.

You’ll also need to follow aftercare advice to keep your implants healthy while they heal, and then long-term care for your implants will be vital.

Disadvantages of same day implants

Same day implants have a slightly higher chance of failure, likely because of the rapid loading of the implant. It’s vital that patients are able to follow a soft diet in the weeks following their implant placement to minimise the risk of issues associated with rapid implant loading.

You can also expect to spend a little more time in the dentist’s chair than you would with traditional dental implants. If you are nervous about long procedures, this could be a barrier to treatment, but there are ways we can make the treatment more comfortable.

And finally, another disadvantage of this treatment plan is that you will often require a follow-up appointment. The initial restoration might not be the final one, so you’ll need to visit again to replace the temporary denture.

Eligibility for same day implants

This treatment plan would be best suited for a patient with long-term tooth loss, or anyone facing the prospect of losing all or the majority of their teeth in the near future. If you currently wear a denture, or if you are thinking about one in the future, you might consider same day implants as an alternative treatment plan.

Your bone density in your jaw will be a key factor in deciding if you can go ahead with this treatment.

However, there are often ways to be able to move forward, even if there is a loss of bone density due to age or tooth loss. Bone grafting might be recommended to help increase bone density ahead of treatment.

It’s also important that you do not smoke before or after the treatment plan. Smoking is one of the leading causes of implant failure and it will also slow down the healing process. This could make implant treatment unsuccessful.

Finally, gum disease is another factor that could impact the success rate for your dental implants. If you have any signs of gum disease, it will be important to get this under control before starting treatment.

Final thoughts on same day implants

Ready to explore this treatment plan with our dental implant team? Get in touch today to learn more about the same day implants procedure and find out if you could be a good candidate for treatment.