Surgical stages of implants

Single visit placement of dental implants is possible but a majority of patients may not fall in to this category.  As a general rule, substantial planning, consisting of radiographs, impressions of the jaw, 3Dcomputer imaging, etc. are needed prior to placement of any dental implant regardless of whether it is planned for single visit or multiple visits. The key for "teeth in a day" is how tight the implant fits into the bone.

Why can some dental implants be placed immediately after extraction while others can't?

There are so many factors that affect our ability to place an implant immediately after extracting a tooth.  Matter of fact... almost entire textbooks have been written that address this scenario but is too voluminous to discuss at this time.  An example might be a multi-rooted tooth (with three roots) would be replaced by one cylinder implant not directly in the hole vacated by the extracted tooth.  Single rooted teeth have a better chance of this occurring.  Without going into extreme details, the implant has to be torqued down to a certain amount (in Newton centimeters) in order for it to properly ossieointegrate (fuse to the bone).  We do not know how secure this dental implant will be until we try to tighten it.

First and Second Stage Surgeries (the "norm")

 During the "First Phase," your mouth is numbed and channels are made in the bone and overlying gum to receive the dental implants.  After the dental implants are tightened into place, the gingivae (gums) are closed over each of the implants with some sutures.  Over a period of a few months the implants become oseointegrated (fused) to the bone and "secures" the implant to the bone.  As a general rule of thumb, it takes lower jaw (mandibular) implants less time to oseointegrate (fuse) than does the upper bone (maxillary).

The "second stage" starts with the uncovering of the dental implants by making small incisions over the implants.  Once uncovered there are a variety of ways to approach your treatment again too numerous to mention in great detail.  This is why customization of your individual case is so important!  In most instances impressions can be made of the implant and your surrounding gum tissue and models of your mouth made from them.  From this several appliances can be made such as:

•  Crowns for individual teeth either screwed in or cemented (most of the time cemented)
• Implant crowns for a fixed bridge (crowns linked together)
• Dental mplants for a removable appliance either full or partial denture.

The greater the number of dental implants, the more treatment planning needs tobe made to affect a favorable outcome.