Immediate, or single-stage, dental implant placement is a method that makes it possible to place an implant and a crown in one visit. This technology can save time, but it is not suitable for every clinical case. Below, we explain what makes this approach different and when it can be used.
What Are Same-Day Dental Implants
Immediate implant placement is a technique in which tooth extraction, implant placement, and crown fixation are performed during a single surgical appointment. Unlike the conventional two-stage protocol, the dentist does not wait for the metal post to osseointegrate. Instead, after the artificial root is placed, a lightweight temporary crown is fitted onto it. This crown is brought into occlusion immediately, but with a reduced load. This helps avoid the psychological and physical discomfort associated with a missing tooth.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Same-Day Implant Placement
This protocol places high demands on the patient’s overall health and the quality of the bone tissue. The ideal candidate is someone without serious systemic conditions, with dense bone at the placement site, sufficient gingival volume, and no active inflammatory process in the treatment area.
The method is especially in demand in the smile zone, where the aesthetic outcome is critically important, as well as among patients who, due to their profession or lifestyle, cannot afford a long rehabilitation period with missing teeth.
The decision on whether immediate implant placement is possible is made by the dentist based on CBCT data and a thorough clinical examination.
How Same-Day Dental Implants Are Placed: Step-by-Step Guide
- Diagnostics and planning. A cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan is performed to assess bone volume and density, the position of adjacent teeth, and nerve anatomy. Based on these data, a 3D model and a surgical guide are created for precise placement.
- Tooth extraction. The affected tooth is carefully removed.
- Implant placement. Following the pre-planned guide, the implant is inserted into the prepared socket. It is essential that primary stability is high.
- Placement of a healing abutment or abutment. Depending on the clinical situation, a component is placed immediately to shape the correct gingival contour.
- Placement of a temporary crown. It does not carry full chewing load, but it allows the patient to speak and smile without embarrassment.
Advantages of Same-Day Dental Implants
This protocol has clear advantages that make it popular with patients:
- shorter treatment time—from extraction to placement of a temporary tooth takes a few hours instead of many months;
- immediate restoration of aesthetics—the patient does not experience psychological discomfort due to a gap in the dentition;
- minimal trauma—the natural gingival contour is preserved because it is shaped immediately around the temporary crown;
- preservation of bone tissue—an implant placed into the extraction socket helps prevent physiological bone loss;
- comfort—the number of surgical procedures and clinic visits is kept to a minimum.
Potential Risks and Limitations
Despite its effectiveness, the method has limitations. The main risk is a slightly higher likelihood of implant failure compared with the conventional approach. The procedure is not performed in the following cases:
- acute inflammatory processes—an abscess, a cyst;
- a significant bone deficiency—bone grafting is required first.
Immediate implant placement is also not recommended for smokers and people with weakened immunity, as this directly affects successful osseointegration.
Preparation and Post-Procedure Care Tips
The success of implant placement largely depends on the patient’s actions.
- Before surgery, you need to undergo the examinations prescribed by the dentist and, if necessary, have professional oral hygiene performed.
- Brushing in the surgical area should be gentle; use a soft toothbrush and the antiseptic rinses prescribed by your dentist.
- In the first weeks, follow a soft diet—avoid hard, tough, hot, and spicy foods so as not to traumatize the surgical site.
- The temporary crown is not intended for full chewing. You need to shift the load to the opposite side.
- It is important to strictly follow the schedule of follow-up visits.
Questions and Answers
Why aren’t same-day implants suitable for all patients?
The method requires ideal bone conditions and the absence of active inflammation. With insufficient bone volume, the presence of a cyst, or periodontitis, the risk of implant failure is too high, so the conventional two-stage protocol is used.
How long does the entire procedure actually take, from diagnostics to the temporary crown?
The entire process—including diagnostics, planning, the surgical stage, and fabrication of the temporary crown—usually fits into a single visit lasting 2–4 hours. The exact time depends on the complexity of the clinical case.
How can you tell after placement that the implant is healing properly?
Proper healing is indicated by the absence of severe pain, swelling, mobility of the restoration, and gingival inflammation. Final success is confirmed on a follow-up radiograph taken a few months later. It should show close, stable contact between the implant and the bone.
Can same-day implants be placed when there is insufficient bone tissue?
Insufficient bone tissue is a direct contraindication, as the implant will not achieve the required primary stability. In such cases, bone augmentation (bone grafting) is performed first.
How do the implant materials differ for same-day placement?
The material is the same—biocompatible titanium or its alloys. The difference may be in the implant design and surface: for immediate protocols, models with a more aggressive thread are often used for better stabilization in bone, along with an active hydrophilic surface that accelerates osseointegration.
