What sets dental implants apart is their unique ability to replace the root of a missing tooth, providing an unparalleled level of stability and functionality. Unlike traditional dentures or bridges, which rest on the gums or rely on adjacent teeth for support, implants fuse directly with the jawbone, creating a strong and permanent foundation for artificial teeth.
This process, known as osseointegration, ensures that the implant becomes an integral part of your mouth, allowing you to eat, speak, and smile with the same confidence you would with natural teeth. In a world where temporary solutions often fall short, dental implants stand out as a transformative option, offering a lifetime of benefits for those who choose them.
Same-Day Dental Implants vs. Traditional Dental Implants
Traditional dental implants take time. You must have those first if you need extractions, bone grafting, or a sinus lift. Once you’ve healed, your implants are placed. Then, we wait for osseointegration, when your implants and jawbone fuse. Your abutments are attached, and impressions are taken so we can design your restoration. Then, you’ll return for another visit to have the restorations attached. The process can take months from start to finish.
It’s easy to see why same-day dental implants would be an attractive alternative. With same-day dental implants, you may have your teeth extracted, implants placed, and restorations attached all in one appointment. This is possible because the implants are placed at a different angle.
The procedure isn’t quite a one-day process, though. You’ll still need to come in for visits before your surgery so we can plan your procedure. Then there’s the fact that the restorations attached to your implants are only temporary, not permanent restorations, so you’ll still need to return for those after 3 to 6 months.
Same-day dental implants are a terrific option for some patients, but you must know what to expect.
Who Is a Candidate for Same-Day Dental Implants?
Like traditional dental implants, you should be in good overall health and a non-smoker to be a candidate for same-day dental implants. Other conditions that may rule out the procedure include active gum infection, certain autoimmune disorders, chronic disease, bruxism (teeth grinding), and insufficient jaw support.
We may recommend same-day implants if you cannot or do not want to have bone grafting before your procedure, if there is a medical reason for performing the entire process in a single day, or if you’ve already experienced some bone loss.
You might wonder why the same-day procedure isn’t standard for everyone—it’s much faster and easier. The answer is that there are trade-offs involved. Same-day dental implants have a higher risk of failure since prosthetic teeth are attached to them before osseointegration occurs. This is why, if you’re a candidate for traditional dental implants, we recommend going that route; only if you cannot get conventional dental implants would we recommend same-day implants as an alternative.
Learn More About Same-Day Dental Implants
If you’re ready to start your journey to better oral health with Dr. Richard Champagne and a genuinely collaborative and compassionate dental team, contact Champagne Smiles in Morganville, NJ, today to schedule your first appointment.