Clinical insights by Dr. Şükran Baycan
A New Smile with Same-Day Dental Implants
Living with missing teeth does not just affect how you eat or what you can eat. It can also knock your confidence, affecting how you speak, laugh, and interact with people.
For many years, restoring a smile with dental implants meant going through a long, multi-step process. It often started with tooth extraction, followed by several months of waiting for the bone to heal before the implant could be placed. Once the implant was in, you would have to wait several more months for it to fuse with the jawbone before the permanent crown could finally be attached.
Today, however, modern dental technology has made it possible for people with missing teeth to walk into a dental clinic and leave with a new smile in just a few hours. But how is this possible, and what does the process involve? These are some of the questions we will answer in this article.
Table of Contents
What Are Same-Day Dental Implants?
Before we dive deeper into the concept of same-day dental implants, there is a particular misconception that we need to clear up first. When people hear or clinics advertise “same-day dentistry” or “teeth in a day”, a lot of patients often assume that the entire process, including the biological healing of the implant, is completed within 24 hours.
This is absolutely not true! As Dr. Şükran Baycan, an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon at DentSpa, explains, “The ‘same-day’ part refers to what the patient gets to leave the clinic with, not the completion of the implant healing process. The implant still needs time to bond with the jawbone, and that cannot happen in a single day.”
What the Doctor just explained, in simple terms is that, you can leave the clinic with a new-looking tooth on the same day, but the implant would still need three to six months to fully osseointegrate with your jawbone before a permanent crown is fitted.
Same-Day Implants vs. Traditional Dental Implants
While both approaches can deliver excellent results, the biggest difference lies in how the treatment is carried out and how long it takes. In this section, we will compare both same-day implants with traditional approaches so that you will be able to set realistic expectations about your treatment and recovery.
| Clinical feature | Same-day implant procedure | Traditional implant procedure |
|---|---|---|
| Crown placement | A temporary crown is often attached on the same day to replace your teeth. Then after 3-6 months, you will get a permanent crown | You would need to wear traditional dentures throughout the osseointegration healing period. After you have healed, you can now get your crown fixed in. |
| Treatment timelines | Often completed in a single visit (with a permanent crown swap later). | Multiple appointments and surgical stages that can stretch over 5 to 11 months. |
| Candidacy | Not everyone is qualified to receive a same-day implant. Potential candidates must have optimal bone density and no active health challenges. | Much broader; can even accommodate patients with severe bone loss or active healing issues |
| Cost | Much more expensive than traditional multi stage procedure because of the technology and lab work involved. | Often lower per-visit cost; expenses are often spread across multiple appointments and stages |
| Success rate | About 90% to 95% documented success rate. | 95% to 98%+ due to the protected, unloaded healing period |
What Happens During a One-Day Implant Procedure?
If you qualify for same-day dental implants, here is what you should expect during and after the procedure.
Digital planning
Just because the procedure is called “same day” does not mean the entire process starts when you walk into the dentist’s office. In fact, much of the planning happens well before surgery day.
The procedure usually starts with a 3D scan of your entire mouth structure. This will then allow your surgeon to determine the ideal position, angle, depth, and size of the implant before the procedure itself begins.
Tooth extraction
On the day of the procedure, if the damaged or failing natural tooth is still in the socket, your dentist would have to extract it first. This step requires great care because any damage to the surrounding socket or bone could affect the stability of the implant and the success of the procedure.
Implant placement
After the tooth has been successfully extracted and the socket prepared, the next step is for your surgeon to place the implant. Using specialized instruments and the digital treatment plan, your dentist will carefully prepare the site at the correct angle and depth before placing the titanium implant post directly into the jawbone.
Fabrication and attachment of the temporary crown
Once the implant has successfully been placed and has achieved the required stability, the next step would be to craft a temporary crown using in-house CAD/CAM milling technology. The temporary crown is then attached to the implant to function as your teeth until you are ready for your permanent crown.
Biting adjustment
Before you depart the clinic, your surgeon will make necessary adjustments to the height and shape of the temporary crown. This is often done to ensure that the crown does not make direct contact with your opposing teeth when you bite down.
Who Is a Candidate for Same-Day Dental Implants?
As we have highlighted, same-day implants rely heavily on immediate mechanical stability. As a result, candidacy requirements are much stricter than those for traditional staged implants. Below are some of the key factors that may determine whether you qualify for a same-day implant:
Sufficient bone density
You might be a good candidate for a same-day dental implant if you have a healthy and sufficient volume of dense, strong jawbone. Adequate bone density helps provide the stability needed to hold the implant in place from day one.
Infection-free gums
You are also likely to be a good candidate if your gums are free of active gum disease and tooth abscess. If you have any of these, your surgeon would need to treat them first and then reschedule your same-day implant procedure to another day, usually after you heal.
Strong overall systemic health
Some uncontrolled chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes can compromise implant stability by making healing difficult. If your dentist discovers an underlying health issue that could interfere with healing, it may need to be properly managed before you undergo an implant procedure. This applies to both same-day and traditional dental implants.
Non-smoking status
Non-smokers, or patients who have committed to quitting can also be a candidate for same-day implant. Excessive smoking or tobacco use can interfere with blood flow and slow healing, both of which can increase the risk of implant failure.
No history of bruxism
Patients who do not clench or grind their teeth are also considered good candidates for same-day implant procedure. The reason is simple: excessive pressure from clenching or grinding can place stress on the implant and interfere with its stability during the early healing stage.
Benefits of Same-Day Dental Implants
Same-day implant procedure comes with its own distinct set of advantages and in this section, we will look at some of them.
Instant aesthetic gratification
The most obvious advantage is that you leave the clinic without a gap in your smile. That is, you do not have to wear an uncomfortable, removable partial denture while you wait for your gum to heal.
It saves time
Clinical studies have shown that same-day procedure has reduced the total number of clinical visits significantly. By condensing multiple surgical and restorative stages into fewer appointments, patients save significantly on travel, lost workdays, and clinician time.
It helps preserve bone
When a tooth is lost, the surrounding jawbone naturally begins to shrink because it is no longer being stimulated by the tooth root. Placing an implant immediately can help preserve the bone around the extraction site and maintain the natural contours of the gums. This can contribute to a more natural-looking final crown.
It can also help reduce surgical trauma
By combining tooth extraction and implant placement into a single session, the overall recovery time and tissue trauma are often reduced.
FAQs About Same-Day Dental Implants
May I eat regularly immediately after my same-day dental implant?
No. As soon as your dental implant surgery is completed, it is best to consume only smooth food for six to eight weeks post-operatively. Avoid biting down on anything hard, crunchy, or sticky so that the new bone formation of the Osseointegration will continue un-interrupted.
Will getting my same day dental implants cause a change in how I will talk?
Yes, it can, however, the good thing about this is that it is temporary. Once you receive your new teeth, your tongue will go through an adjustment period for some amount of time until your tongue gets used to its new shape and location.
Why are temporary crowns used on same-day implants and not permanent crowns?
It has to do with load management. After your same-day implant is placed, it can take 4 to 6 months for full osseointegration to occur. During this healing period, you still need to eat and use your teeth without putting excessive pressure on the healing implant, and that is where the temporary crown comes in.
Temporary crowns are fabricated from lighter, highly customizable acrylics and are designed specifically to protect the healing implant while limiting the amount of force placed on it.
Can you get same-day implants if you have controlled diabetes or thyroid conditions?
Yes. Clinical research has shown that patients with “well-controlled” systemic conditions like type 2 diabetes can be a candidate for same-day implant. However, their condition still needs to be properly managed before and most importantly, after the procedure.
Conclusion
Same-day dental implants do not only save time, they can also restore your smile and function much faster. However, not everyone is a suitable candidate for this type of procedure, which is why it is important to have your eligibility properly assessed by an experienced clinic like DentSpa.
This clinic is based in Istanbul, Turkey and they offer both same-day and traditional dental implant procedures. Their dedicated team can assess your oral health, and recommend the most appropriate treatment for your needs.
Get your free consultation
- Need guidance and reassurance?
- Talk to a real person from MedClinics!
- Let's find the perfect doctor together.