Immediate implants — fast and effective tooth restoration

What are Immediate Implants?

Immediate implants are a type of dental implants that are implanted immediately after the tooth is removed, during the same visit. Thanks to this, the patient avoids waiting for several months for the bone to heal before the implant is implanted, which shortens the entire treatment process. This solution allows faster restoration of aesthetics and function of the dentition, reduces bone atrophy and the number of surgical procedures. The condition for the use of immediate implants is the adequate quantity and quality of the bone and the absence of inflammation at the extraction site.

Who are Immediate Implants for?

Immediate implants are dedicated to:

• People who want to shorten the treatment time — immediate implants allow you to avoid months of waiting for bone healing before implant implantation.
• Patients with adequate bone quantity and quality — a prerequisite for success is a sufficient amount of bone tissue, allowing stable placement of immediate implants.
• People without active infections and inflammations — a healthy oral environment is necessary to avoid complications and speed up the healing process.
• Patients who care about the aesthetics of a smile — especially for people working in professions that require impeccable appearance (e.g. models, presenters, salespeople).
• People who want to avoid several surgical procedures — implants immediately eliminate the need to go through a separate stage of healing after tooth extraction.
• Patients without health contraindications — immediate implants are not recommended for people with advanced periodontitis, uncontrolled diabetes, heavy smokers or people with tissue healing problems.

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How is the immediate implantation procedure performed?

• Step 1. Consultation and diagnosis

The doctor conducts a detailed medical history and examination of the oral cavity. X-rays or CBCT scans are performed to assess the quantity and quality of the bone where the immediate implants will be embedded. Indications, contraindications and expected effects of treatment are discussed.

• Step 2. Anesthesia

Immediate implants require extensive tissue intervention. Therefore, any procedure using immediate implants is preceded by anesthesia. Usually the patient is given local anesthesia, and in some cases it is possible to use sedation or anesthesia.

• Step 3. Tooth extraction

It is a very important element. It is important that the removal of a diseased or damaged tooth is carried out in an atraumatic manner in order to protect the surrounding bone tissue as much as possible. The more of it remains, the better conditions the immediate implants will have.

• Step 4. Implant implantation

In place of the removed tooth, an implant is immediately inserted (hence the name: instant implants), selecting its size and angle of inclination. Immediate implants are stabilized in the bone, which ensures its proper fusion with the bone tissue.

• Step 5. Putting on a healing screw or temporary crown

In some cases, if instant implants show sufficient stabilization (more than 35 Ncm), then at the same appointment, a temporary crown can be placed on them to preserve the aesthetics of the smile. Alternatively, a healing screw can be put in place to shape the gum for later prosthetic restoration.

• Step 6. Stitching the gum and completing the procedure

If necessary, the doctor makes stitches to secure the wound and accelerate healing. In offices specializing in implantology, a platelet-rich plasma dressing is often used, which speeds up the healing process.

• Step 7. Final prosthetic reconstruction

A patient who opts for immediate implants expects the full effect after leaving the office. Therefore, after the immediate implant has been completely integrated into the bone, a final crown, bridge or prosthesis is performed.

Recommendations after immediate implantation

Immediate implants are a modern method of restoration of dental deficiencies, which allows the implant to be implanted immediately after the tooth is removed. In order for the healing process to proceed correctly and the implant integrates well with the bone, it is extremely important to follow the recommendations after the procedure.

• Protection of the treatment site — do not touch the wound with your tongue or fingers for the first few hours. Avoid intensive rinsing of the mouth for the first day so as not to disturb the healing process. If the doctor has put on a dressing, leave it in place for the recommended time.
• Medication and pain control — use prescribed pain and anti-inflammatory drugs as directed by your doctor. You can also apply cold compresses to your cheek (every 15—20 minutes) to reduce swelling.
• Diet — Avoid hot drinks and foods for the first 24 hours. Consume soft, cool food for several days (eg yogurts, smoothies, purees). Avoid hard, sharp and sticky foods that could damage fresh implants immediately.
• Oral hygiene — brush your teeth gently, avoiding the treatment area for the first few days. You can use mouthwashes recommended by your doctor, preferably without alcohol.
• Avoiding physical exertion — Limit intense physical activity for a few days to prevent bleeding and swelling. Immediate implants require the body to recover.
• Avoiding stimulants — do not smoke cigarettes or consume alcohol for at least a few days, as they can interfere with the healing process.

Following these recommendations allows for quick and trouble-free healing and increases the chances of full integration of the implant into the bone.

Immediate implants — how long does the procedure take?

Immediate implants can be performed in one visit, which significantly reduces the treatment time compared to the traditional method. It usually lasts from 60 to 120 minutes. With this method, the patient can immediately enjoy a new, albeit temporary tooth and a full smile.

Immediate implants — how long does it take to heal?

After implantation of an immediate implant, the key stage is osteointegration, which is the process of adhesion of the implant to the jaw bone. Although the temporary crown allows you to preserve the aesthetics of the smile and partial functionality, it usually takes 2 to 4 months for the implant to fully fuse with the bone. Only after this time can the final prosthetic crown be installed, guaranteeing full strength and chewing comfort. During the healing process, oral hygiene is extremely important, including gentle brushing, flossing and mouthwashes. You should also avoid putting excessive strain on the implant and follow the diet recommended by the doctor, limiting hard and sticky foods to ensure a proper healing process.

Is the temporary crown safe?

The temporary crown is safe and plays a key role in the healing process after the implantation of immediate implants. Its main task is to protect the place of implantation of immediate implants and to shape soft tissues, which facilitates the subsequent adjustment of the final crown. Although it would be technically possible to fix the target crown immediately, this solution is not used, since the immediate implant takes several months to fully osseointegrate. During this time, complications may occur, which in extreme cases require surgical intervention. The temporary crown usually does not come into contact with the opposing teeth, so as not to burden the implant in the early stages of healing. It can be easily removed and adjusted, which makes treatment more predictable and the end results aesthetically pleasing and lasting.

Is Immediate Implantation Painful?

Immediate implantation is not painful, since the procedure is performed under local anesthesia, and sedation or anesthesia can also be used if necessary. Thanks to this, the patient does not feel pain during the implantation of the immediate implant. After the procedure, it is possible to experience discomfort, swelling or slight pain, which can be controlled with painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed by the doctor. Most patients compare the complaints after implantation to those that accompany the removal of the tooth, and the symptoms usually disappear within a few days. Compliance with oral hygiene and diet recommendations helps to heal faster and minimizes the risk of complications.

Contraindications to immediate implants?

Immediate implants require proper bone conditions and good oral health. Not every patient is eligible for the procedure. The main contraindications include:

• Insufficient quantity or quality of bone — If there is not enough bone tissue after tooth extraction, the immediate implant will not be stable, increasing the risk of failure.
• Complete atrophy of the vestibular lamina — the lack of adequate bone support prevents safe implantation of the immediate implant.
• Active infections in the mouth - gingivitis, abscesses or untreated caries can lead to complications and make it difficult to integrate the immediate implant into the bone.
• Advanced periodontitis - weakening of the supporting structures of the teeth reduces the chances of permanent implantation of the immediate implant.
• Some chronic diseases — uncontrolled diabetes, osteoporosis or autoimmune diseases can disrupt the healing process and osteointegration.
• Cigarette smoking and alcohol abuse — substances contained in tobacco smoke and alcohol negatively affect the healing process, increasing the risk of immediate implant rejection.
• Bruxism (teeth grinding) — excessive load on the immediate implant in the early stage of healing can lead to its failure.
• Poor oral hygiene — Lack of proper care for teeth and gums increases the risk of infection and inflammation around the immediate implant.

In the absence of adequate bone conditions, an alternative may be a procedure to protect the alveolus against bone atrophy and then implant an implant at a later stage.

Advantages of Immediate Implants

Immediate implantation is not only a reduction in treatment time, but also the best method of management from a medical point of view, because:

• Minimizes the risk of bone loss — after tooth removal, a natural consequence is the gradual loss of bone tissue, which can lead to a lowering of the maxillary sinus floor. Implantation of an immediate implant immediately after extraction allows you to preserve the bone structure, which facilitates subsequent prosthetic restoration.
• It guarantees a better fit of the crown — by maintaining the proper volume of the bone, it is possible to recreate the crown on the implant in a way that is as close as possible to the natural tooth, which improves both aesthetics and functionality.
• Prevents hygiene problems — if an immediate implant is not implanted immediately after tooth removal, bone loss occurs and adjacent teeth can change their position. This can result in the accumulation of food debris in hard-to-reach places, making it difficult to maintain proper oral hygiene.
• Protects the gingival papillae — immediate implantation helps to preserve the gingival papillae, which are the characteristic “triangles” of pink tissue between the teeth. Their presence is of great aesthetic importance - if they disappear, unaesthetic gaps between the teeth may appear, worsening the appearance of the smile.
• Saves time — unlike the traditional method, which can take several months, immediate implantation allows you to achieve the final effect much faster. This allows patients to enjoy a full smile and bite functionality faster.
• Reduces the number of visits to the dentist — the entire treatment process requires fewer follow-up visits than classical implantation, which means less stress, greater convenience and time savings for the patient.
• It gives instant aesthetics and functionality — patients leave the office with a temporary crown, allowing them to immediately enjoy the natural look of a smile and full chewing function, without the need to wear a removable denture.

Thanks to immediate implantation, the patient can enjoy an aesthetic and functional smile faster, while minimizing the negative effects associated with tooth extraction.

Late implantation vs immediate implantation

Immediate implantation is a modern solution that allows you to quickly and effectively fill gaps in the dentition, minimizing the risk of bone loss and shortening the treatment time. Thanks to this, patients can enjoy an aesthetic smile and full functionality of the bite immediately after tooth extraction. Compared to late implantation, which requires a longer healing period and often additional bone reconstruction procedures, the immediate method offers greater comfort and shorter recovery time. However, the final decision on the choice of the method of implantation should be made individually, after a thorough analysis of the anatomical conditions and the general state of health of the patient. We invite you for a consultation at Apolonia Dental in Szczecin.