A Comprehensive Guide to Immediate Dental Implants
While you may want to keep your natural teeth forever, tooth loss is possible. If your tooth is severely damaged, a good remedy would be to have it extracted. You will be more comfortable and you will avoid the need for complex dental procedures.
After tooth extraction, substantial resorption of the jawbone may occur if the tooth isn’t replaced soon. Of course, there are additional problems of having an empty socket, including facial sagging, shifting of the adjacent teeth, bite function loss, and impaired speech.
For these reasons, dentists recommend getting a replacement tooth as soon as possible after extraction. Thanks to technology, you can now get a replacement on the same day your tooth is extracted.
What Are Immediate Dental Implants?
An implant consists of titanium posts or screws that are fixed into the underlying jawbone of the missing tooth to replace its roots. The implant fuses with the bone, making it a part of your mouth. Rather than waiting for months to get the traditional dental implants, immediate dental implants or same-day dental implants are placed on the same day a tooth is extracted.
With traditional dental implants, it takes months to get an implant.A typical treatment plan consists of:
- Tooth extraction – You must wait for three months or more for the socket to heal.
- Implant surgery – You must wait for 3 to 6 months for the implant to bond with the underlying bone.
- Permanent crown placement.
Are You Eligible For Immediate Dental Implants?
Like many cosmetic procedures, not everyone can qualify for immediate dental implants treatment. Given the complex nature of the treatment, an ideal patient must:
- Have good oral and overall health. This ensures that the implant heals faster and without complications.
- Be a non-smoker. Smoking can delay the healing of the implant or cause failure.
- Have a healthy jawbone and gums. If you don’t have enough or a healthy jawbone, the implant can fail. In such a case, you’ll have to undergo bone grafting before getting the implant.
Reasons or conditions that can disqualify a patient include:
- Smoking
- Gum disease
- Chronic disease
- Bruxism
- Autoimmune disease
- Poor oral hygiene or health
- Unhealthy gums and jawbone
Immediate Dental Implants Procedure
- Initial Appointment
Before approving you for the immediate implant treatment, the dentist must review your oral and overall condition to determine if you’re fit for the procedure. The dentist takes impressions and x-rays of your teeth, if necessary. If you’re qualified, the dentist will schedule you for the primary procedure and give a few guidelines on how to prepare properly. Also, make sure you ask questions you might have about the treatment during this appointment.
- Immediate Implant Placement
The dentist will begin the process by sedation to prevent pain and discomfort during the surgery. If you’re anxious about the injection, your dentist can apply a topical anesthetic before the local anesthesia administration.
The dentist then removes the damaged tooth carefully to avoid damaging the surrounding tissues and bone. The extraction socket is then cleaned and inspected to ensure it fits the implant. If everything goes according to plan, the implant site is prepared and the implant is placed. The dentist can place a permanent or temporary crown over the implant, depending on necessity.
- Post-surgery Follow-up
Your dentist will schedule additional appointments to check on the progress of the implant. If you received a temporary crown, your dentist will have to replace it with a permanent one once the implant has healed.
Benefits of Immediate Dental Implants
- Immediate restoration
- Reduced treatment time
- Reduced hard and soft tissue loss
- Fewer surgical treatments
Disadvantages of Immediate Dental Implants
- Higher chance of failure than traditional implants
- More severe post-procedure side effects than with traditional implants
Caring For Your Dental Implants
Caring for immediate dental implants is easy and straightforward. Immediately to a few days after the procedure:
- Take medication as prescribed by your dentist
- Eat soft food. Avoid hot, spicy, and hard food as they can damage the implant.
- Avoid alcoholic and tobacco products
- Practice good oral hygiene
- Rest for the next 24 hours
- Avoid abrasive dental products
Schedule an Appointment Today
Are you considering immediate dental implants in Great Neck, NY, or would you like to learn more about immediate implant procedures? Contact Great Neck Dental Associates to book your appointment today.