Teeth in a day: An expert guide to immediate loading implants

In this informative article for patients, revered dentist Dr Blanca Crooke shares her expert insight on immediate loading implants, including the factors involved in their longevity and the benefits they can offer.

What are immediate loading implants?

Immediate loading, also called immediate function, means placing a prosthesis (crown) over a dental implant within a week of the implant being placed into the bone. This can only be performed when primary stability is achieved (good anchorage of the implant) and is usually done within twenty-four hours.

There is a difference between an immediate implant and immediate loading. An immediate implant is the implant placement just after an extraction. However, immediate loading is a temporary crown/bridge placement performed just after the insertion of an implant.

How do immediate loading implants work?

First, we need to plan the implant positioning. Secondly, we perform the surgery and place the implant. Afterwards, we take the measurements of the implant position and send them to the lab. Then, we place the temporary fix teeth either on the same day or the next day. In some cases, we may have the crown or bridge before the surgery.

What is the benefit of immediate loading implants?

Immediate loading implants have a number of benefits including that the patient has immediate fixed teeth and this one stage technique simplifies the surgical workflow. Additionally, the number of visits to the dentist is reduced and can mean that a second surgery to access to the implants can be avoided if they are healing under the gum. Also, thanks to the digital workflow, we can have it ready before the surgery or within twenty-four hours.

Are immediate loading implants permanent?

Much like delayed implant loading, immediate loading implants can be permanent but this depends on many factors. There are some possible risk factors which can cause an implant to fail in the short or long term, similar to a hip implant replacement. These include smoking, some types of medication or peri-implantitis (gum disease for implants). Therefore after implant placement (either immediate loaded or delayed) it is very important to come to regular check-ups and keep up with the necessary maintenance.

How deep are immediate loading implants?

Usually, implants of this type should go at least one millimetre below the crestal bone, however this depends on many other factors. The exact placement of implant depends on the patient’s bone and its specific positioning. There is no difference in the placement depth between delayed and immediate implants.

Who can get immediate loading implants?

Any patient with a good bone and enough gum for placement of the implant, as well as sufficient primary stability of the implant, you could receive a crown or a bridge. With a CBCT scan we should be able to determine if your bone is suitable for an immediate loading implant.

If you wish to schedule a consultation with Dr Crooke, you can do so by visiting her Top Doctors profile.