Dental implants can be used to replace several and even all the missing teeth. Depending on the condition of the existing teeth and overall bone support, the missing teeth can be replaced with either a removable dental implant supported denture or a fixed bridge anchored on dental implants. Implants provide needed stability for a complete denture, which enables the patient to look great and function with confidence.

Comparison Between Bridge Versus Dental Implant

The chart below compares common characteristics of a dental bridge and dental implants.

Dental implants can fill in the gap between natural teeth without the need for modifying the teeth.  This eliminates the potential for any post-operative complications such as tooth sensitivity, and potentially the need for root canal treatment.  Because a dental implant with a crown act as a separate tooth, oral hygiene technique is the same as for natural teeth.

Immediate Dental Implants

The term immediate dental implant refers to a technique where the extraction of a tooth and placement of the dental implant within the bone is done in the same visit.  There are indications to this procedure however, this method can be utilized only after a careful evaluation and treatment planning by the dentist.  Below is a list of some of the most important factors, which will determine if immediate dental implant placement can be completed:

• overall health of the patient- a healthy individual will recover sooner then someone with health complications
• the amount and quality of bone that is present for dental implant placement
• which part of the jaw the dental implant is placed
• no infection in and around the extraction site

Some advantages to placing an implant on the day of tooth extraction include:

• second surgery is unnecessary since both procedures are completed in one visit
• faster course of treatment- no need to wait for the extraction site to heal before dental implant placement.  Final crown or bridge will be permanently placed sooner.
• less overall discomfort since only one surgery is performed

Discuss the option with your dentist to make sure you are a good candidate for immediate dental implant placement.

Immediate loading dental implant is an implant that is restored on the day of implant placement surgery.  This is commonly done when aesthetics is of concern to the patient.  A single dental implant can be restored with a temporary crown until the implant is ready for the final restoration. The temporary crown is placed in for aesthetic purposes only.  The crown is intentionally left out of the bite to allow the dental implant to fuse completely with bone.

For completely edentulous patients, patients without any teeth, immediate loading of dental implants can be done with full dentures.   This is usually referred to as "teeth in an hour."  The dentures serve as final restorations.  Because the denture is usually supported by multiple dental implants there is less chance of implant failure.  Immediate loading implant supported dentures provide a patient without any teeth an opportunity to walk out of the dental office with new teeth.  It is also very convenient because it reduces the number of dental visits.

Learn about different types of dental implants.

How do you care for dental implants.