Are you tired of living with missing teeth? Do you dread the thought of multiple dental appointments and a lengthy treatment process? Same-day dental implants might be the perfect solution for you. This revolutionary approach allows you to receive a single tooth implant or an implant-supported denture in just one visit, so you can walk out of our Annapolis dental office with a complete, natural-looking smile.
What Are Same-Day Dental Implants?
Dr. Sheen can offer patients the latest tooth replacement options to meet their needs. Same-day dental implants, also known as immediate load dental implants or “Teeth in a Day,” is an innovative dental procedure allowing patients to receive dental implants and temporary replacement teeth in a single appointment.
Unlike traditional dental implant procedures that require months of healing before attaching the final restoration, same-day implants give you a functional, aesthetic smile immediately. Dr. Sheen will work with a surgeon who will place your new implant and secure a temporary crown or denture in the same visit so you can leave with a functional smile.
Who Can Benefit from Same-Day Dental Implants?
Same-day dental implants are ideal for:
- Patients missing a single tooth who want an immediate replacement
- Individuals with multiple missing teeth seeking a full restoration
- People wearing conventional dentures who desire a more secure, comfortable solution
- Busy professionals who cannot accommodate multiple appointments over several months
- Anyone who wants to avoid the embarrassment of living with missing teeth during the healing process
The Same-Day Dental Implant Process: What to Expect
Before your same-day procedure, you’ll undergo a comprehensive examination including:
- Detailed dental health assessment
- 3D imaging and scans to evaluate bone structure
- Discussion of your goals and expectations
- Creation of a customized treatment plan
This thorough planning ensures optimal implant placement and long-term success.
The Day of Your Procedure
After making you completely comfortable with a local anesthetic or dental sedation, the surgeon will carefully place the titanium implant posts into your jawbone. For a single tooth, one implant is typically used. For full-arch replacements, four to six strategically positioned implants can support an entire arch of teeth.
Immediately after implant placement, a temporary crown (for single tooth) or denture (for multiple teeth) is secured. These temporary restorations are carefully designed to look natural while allowing your implants to heal properly. You’ll leave our office with a complete smile! While your temporary teeth are fully functional, you’ll be advised to follow a modified diet during the healing period.
You may experience minor swelling and discomfort, which is normal and manageable with prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication. Dr. Sheen will likely recommend a soft food diet for approximately 6-12 weeks while osseointegration (the process of the implant fusing with your jawbone) occurs. Once healing is complete, your temporary restoration will be replaced with a permanent, custom-designed restoration.
Single Tooth vs. Full-Arch Same-Day Implants
Single Tooth Replacement
For a single missing tooth, the process involves:
- Placement of one dental implant into the jawbone
- Immediate attachment of a temporary crown
- Later replacement with a permanent, custom-designed crown after healing
The temporary crown is adjusted to avoid excessive force during chewing, allowing proper healing while maintaining aesthetics.
Implant-Supported Dentures (Full-Arch Replacement)
For patients missing most or all teeth in an arch, the procedure includes:
- Strategic placement of 4-6 implants throughout the jawbone
- Immediate attachment of a temporary full-arch prosthesis
- Later replacement with a permanent, fixed denture
This approach, sometimes called “All-on-4” or “All-on-6,” provides remarkable stability compared to traditional dentures.
Benefits of Same-Day Dental Implants
Same-day dental implants offer numerous life-changing advantages, making them an increasingly popular choice among patients. The most significant benefit is the immediate restoration of your complete smile after just one visit, eliminating the embarrassment and inconvenience of living with missing teeth during a lengthy healing process. This streamlined approach dramatically reduces the number of appointments needed compared to traditional implants, saving you valuable time.
When teeth are missing, jawbone deterioration begins almost immediately, but promptly placed dental implants help preserve your natural bone structure and facial aesthetics. The temporary teeth attached on the same day provide immediate function and aesthetics, enhancing your comfort, confidence, and quality of life from day one.
Are You a Candidate for Same-Day Dental Implants?
While many patients can benefit from same-day implants, certain factors affect candidacy:
- Sufficient bone density to support immediate loading
- Good overall oral health
- Non-smoker status (or willingness to quit during treatment)
- Absence of certain medical conditions that affect healing
During your consultation, Dr. Sheen will evaluate these factors to determine if same-day implants are right for you.