Replacement of the lost tooth post extraction is important in order to restore chewing-ability, function and aesthetics.
Moreover, it also affects the psychological and self-esteem of a person. Furthermore, the bone in the extracted socket begins to resorb post extraction in the event that the missing tooth is not replaced. Hence, the prevention of bone loss can be achieved via the placement of dental implants.
However, placing conventional implants implies that the procedure can last anywhere between three to twelve months along with several appointments with the dentist in order to complete the entire process. Yet, when appropriate, immediate implants can help shorten the total treatment period and reduce the overall number of visits thus benefitting the patient.
Immediate implant placement and immediate loading is when an implant is placed at the same time as the natural tooth is extracted, thus resulting in a single visit appointment where the extraction and implant placement is done at the same time hence resulting in the reduced inconvenience towards the patient. Immediate implants was introduced with the concept of seeking to assist patients who want to be treated in an efficient and expedient manner.
Patients who, when seeking a solution, prefer a safe and effective treatment that can be performed in the shortest possible time and with as little pain and discomfort as possible, Immediate implants is the approach.
These implants engage mechanically into the cortical bone and do not require osseointegration unlike conventional implants and hence there is no need for bone grafts in these cases. There are many long term follow up studies (>10 days) since 1976 that have reported its success and high survival. In suitable cases, the immediate placement of the implant and its immediate loading offer several benefits to the patients that include shorter treatment time and significantly reduced time. Since the procedure occurs within a span of 3 days, it can help restore aesthetics immediately and can therefore offer a suitable solution for high patient satisfaction, when clinically indicated.
In immediate loading, it excludes the use of bone grafting procedures and complex surgical intervention that may otherwise be required in cases of resorbed ridges. The one-stage technique offers a simplified surgical workflow and requires only one surgery instead of two. Moreover, these implants can be placed into fresh extraction sockets even if the extracted tooth was highly decayed and resulted into an abscess or if the tooth was extremely mobile.
Immediate implants can also be placed in smokers as well as patients with controlled diabetes.
These implants are immediately loaded within a period of 3-5 days since they heal in a better way when they are loaded immediately with the close collaboration between an oral surgeon, prosthodontist and lab technician.
