Having heard about same day dental implants, you might be interested in them if you need a quick fix for badly damaged teeth that need extractions.
This “smile-in-a-day” treatment promises to restore your smile in just 1 day. So, unlike traditional dental implants, you won’t be left without teeth for months after you’ve had your teeth taken out.
You will have the function and aesthetics of your teeth back in just 1 visit to the dentist’s office. So far, nothing sounds wrong.
In fact, same-day implants sound far better than traditional implants. Only it has some problems that you should know about before you make your decision.
What Are Same Day Dental Implants?
With same-day implants, the patient can receive a dental implant the same day they have their tooth extracted. And it’s the implantation right after an extraction that makes this dental procedure unique.
And you won’t just be getting the dental implant fitted in; it will also be “loaded” with artificial teeth, such as crowns, bridges or dentures, on the same day. That’s why these implants are also known as immediate-load implants.
For this reason, many patients want to get same-day implants over traditional implants. And according to a study published in the National Journal of Maxillofacial Surgery, this procedure has the following advantages:
- Need to angle the abutment is minimised (which can put stress on the underlying implant and the surrounding bone).
- Implant screw integrates well with the surrounding bone.
- Immediate placement of the implant prevents the resorption of bone and damage to the gum tissue.
- Implant plugs the socket of an extracted tooth, keeping contaminants out.
- Less time is spent waiting for the tissues to heal.
Of course, the most obvious benefit of same-day implants is that you get to see the results quickly and immediately. You can also get back to talking and eating normally.
Who’s A Candidate For Same Day Dental Implants?
Not everyone can get same-day implants. For you to be able to get these, you need to have excellent oral health. Additionally, you need to be a non-smoker. This procedure is, however, contraindicated in the following instances:
- The patient is a smoker.
- The patient has a bleeding disorder, bone disease, autoimmune condition, heart problems, diabetes, or cancer.
- The patient doesn’t have good dental hygiene and/or has gum disease.
- The patient has a teeth-grinding disorder known as bruxism.
- The patient’s jawbone is too weak.
In these cases, you may require another treatment before you can get implants, or you may need to explore some alternatives.
What’s The Procedure For Getting Same Day Dental Implants?
Your dentist will ask for an X-ray and CT scan to get a 3D picture of your dental structure and tissues before inserting the implants.
Keep in mind that you need to have enough jawbone for the implant to anchor into. If that’s not sufficient, the implant would become loose and even slip out. In this case, you’d first need to get a bone graft.
However, if everything’s looking good and healthy, your dentist will begin by giving you local anaesthesia (or sedation if you have a dental phobia). Once it kicks in (usually takes a few minutes), your teeth (or tooth) will be extracted.
After that, during the same appointment, the implants are placed in the tooth sockets.
Once that’s done, the dentist will fit in custom crowns, bridges or dentures on those implant screws. However, these will be temporary.
You’d have to get these restorations replaced after 3-4 months with more permanent ones.
Keep in mind that since it involves so many steps, this procedure can take more than a couple of hours.
What’s The Aftercare For Smile In A Day Treatment?
When it comes to same-day implants, one thing that you need to be very careful about during aftercare is your diet.
Your dentist may advise you to stick to a diet of soft foods for a few months. This will prevent the micromotions of the implant, which can result in failure.
Therefore, you’ll have to be careful about not eating anything hard, sticky or crunchy. You also need to avoid chewing on your nails, pens, pencils, etc.
And throughout the recovery period, you have to make sure that you’re keeping your teeth clean by brushing and flossing every day.
Are Same-Day Dental Implants Safe?
While you can get a same-day dental implant safely, it carries a higher risk of implant failure than dental implants Turkey. Dental implant failure occurs when the titanium screw fails to integrate with the surrounding jawbone.
And it can occur due to different reasons, one of which could be micromotion. It may also occur from occlusal trauma if the crown isn’t placed properly.
One study published in The International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants showed that the risk of implant failure was higher when the implants were loaded (fitted with crowns) immediately after their insertion into the jawbone.
Other than that, you’re also quite likely to experience more swelling, pain and discomfort. That’s because your tissues weren’t allowed to heal properly after the extraction of your teeth.
Soon after the teeth were taken out, the bone was drilled for the insertion of implants. And you’ll also have stitches from that.
Another downside of same-day implants is that they’re not exactly a one-trip-to-the-dentist affair.
Remember, the dentist will place temporary restorations on your crown, and they’ll have to be replaced after a few months, so you’ll have to come back for those (and it will probably require multiple appointments).
Also, just as with any surgery, same-day implants carry a risk of infection. How high you’re at risk of infection can depend on your oral (and overall) health, eating habits and lifestyle.
So, you need to make sure to follow all the aftercare instructions of your dentist.
What’s The Cost of Same-Day Implants?
In the UK, a single implant with a crown can cost you anywhere between £2,500 to £3,500. A simple extraction on its own can be around £100. So, the restoration of one arch (upper jaw or lower jaw) can cost you more than £10,000.
And if you’re looking to restore your smile completely, you can expect to pay more than £20,000 once you factor in the cost of X-rays, CT scans, consultations, and medicines for aftercare.
And keep in mind that the same-day smile isn’t available on the NHS, so you’ll have to get this treatment privately.
The prices can further vary depending on how many teeth need extracting or restoring, along with the type of artificial teeth (bridges, crowns, or dentures).
Where the clinic is located, and the experience of the dentist will also impact the total price.
Due to the differences in cost of living and currencies, you can, however, get a single implant for much cheaper in Turkey.
A single same-day implant might cost you anywhere from £500-600 there, with the extraction being around £80 and the crown £180. So, the total (for a single implant with a tooth) would come to around £800-1000.
Same-Day Implants vs Traditional Implants: What’s The Difference?
Here’s a summary of the differences between traditional and same-day implants.
| Same-Day Implants | Traditional Implants | |
| Procedure | Tooth extraction followed by insertion of implant screw and fitting of a temporary crown/bridge/denture on the same day. | Insertion of the implant in the tooth socket (may or may not be preceded by a tooth extraction a few months before) Allow the bone to integrate with the jawbone for a few months before placing permanent crowns. |
| Timeline | 1 day (need another appointment for permanent restorations after 3 months) | Tooth socket healing – 2-4 months Integration of implant with bone – 3-4 months after which permanent crowns are placed Total time – 6-8 months |
| Cost | In UK – £2,500 to £3,500 (single implant with crown) In Turkey – £750-850 (single implant with crown) | In UK – £1,500-£2,500 (single implant) In Turkey – £500 (single implant) |
| Safety & Risks | Implant failure (high) More pain, swelling, and discomfort than traditional implants (along with other side effects, such as bleeding and soreness) | Bruising, pain, bleeding, feeling of stiffness, and redness and swelling for some time. |
| Results | Permanent | Permanent |
Conclusion
With same-day implants, patients have the option to get their smile back within 1 day. Extraction, implantation, and fitting of the crown all take place on the same day.
However, as tempting as it sounds, it can be a bit dangerous, considering the tissues in the mouth are not given enough time to heal before they’re probed again (in a span of a few hours at that).
If you’re considering getting this smile-in-a-day treatment, make sure to discuss its pros and cons with your dentist.
Keep in mind that if the implant fails, you’ll have to get the procedure once more and pay for it in its entirety. So, make sure to take these things into consideration.