Dental Implants Without the Wait: Immediate Implant Placement 

Are you looking to have a tooth replaced? Maybe you’ve already heard that, as is often the case with dental implants, patients sometimes have to wait several months between extraction and receiving their implant. 

If this isn’t the best-case scenario for you, consider immediate implant placement. 

At Ueno Center Dental Specialists, we offer a program that allows patients to receive a temporary implant the same day as their tooth removal, which can be a much better overall experience. Once the permanent implant is ready to be placed, you come back to the office for your final appointment. 

Jeremy K. Ueno, DMD, and the other members of our Campbell, California, team know exactly why waiting for an implant can make your life more difficult. That’s why we take this option seriously and hope to help as many patients as possible take advantage of it.   

Why some people have to wait for a dental implant

Dental implants aren’t a new treatment option for decayed or missing teeth. Dr. P. Branemark first began placing these medical devices in the mouths of his patients in 1965. 

The process has come a long way since, but one of the biggest innovations has been the time it takes to get a new implant placed and how we determine this timeframe on a patient-by-patient basis. 

Although there’s an option now for patients to receive temporary dental implants the same day as their procedure, this isn’t the case for everyone. Some patients are dealing with health issues, like infection, that would require waiting for a dental implant until the condition is treated properly. 

In other cases, bone density loss is the culprit. With a jawbone that has lost bone density, patients often require bone grafting. This increases the time between your extraction and your implant procedure. 

Every patient is different and may require different timelines for the full process of getting a new dental implant. 

Good candidates for immediate implant placement 

Who can have their implant placed right away? For one thing, the patient in question should have good oral health. It isn’t safe to place an implant in an area still recovering from decay, infection, or another issue. 

Also, patients who are losing a prominent tooth may feel more strongly about getting a replacement right away. This is especially true with the two front teeth. If you’re missing a less noticeable tooth, you might not worry about getting it replaced right away. 

You also need to have good jawbone density and healthy gums. If you don’t, you may need treatment for these areas before immediate implant placement. If you do, placing an implant immediately can also protect your jawbone density, as tooth loss can lead to bone loss over time.

What does immediate implant placement entail

First, we determine if you’re a good candidate for this program, and if you are, we remove the tooth. Then, we place the temporary implant. 

Afterward, we install a cosmetic tooth, providing you with a normal-looking smile, the ability to chew and speak, and anything else you need while you’re waiting for your permanent implant. 

The temporary tooth is made of acrylic, which is why we recommend keeping it no longer than six months. Most patients have to wait about three to four weeks before their permanent implant is ready. 

Is immediate implant placement worth it?

For many patients, being able to use their mouths comfortably, look how they want, and receive their permanent implant down the road is absolutely worth it. And if you have good, healthy gums and a strong jawbone, you could be a good candidate for this procedure. 

To make an appointment at our Campbell, California, office, call today, or visit us online. We look forward to seeing you smile.