Immediate-load implants: fixed teeth in a day?
In short: immediate-load implants allow the implants to be placed and a fixed temporary prosthesis fitted that same day, so you don’t spend months without teeth. It’s not magic and it doesn’t suit everyone: it depends on having enough bone of good quality, which is why a prior study is needed. The definitive prosthesis comes afterwards, once everything has healed.
What does “immediate load” mean?
In the traditional technique, the implant is placed and you wait a few months (for it to integrate into the bone) before fitting the tooth on top. With immediate load, that temporary tooth is fitted the same day or within a few hours. Hence the idea of “teeth in a day”.
The key is in the nuance: that first tooth is temporary. It does its cosmetic job and lets you eat soft things, but the definitive prosthesis is made later on, once the implant is firm. The important thing is that you’re never left with a visible gap at any point.
Who is it a good option for?
It’s especially worthwhile when:
- A whole arch is being replaced (the “all teeth fixed” type). We look at this in implants for the whole mouth.
- A very visible tooth needs to be extracted and replaced and you don’t want to spend time without it.
But it’s not for everyone. The decisive factor is the bone: if you have little or of poor quality, you may need a bone graft first, or it may be safer to go with the traditional technique. This is only known with a study.
Why is the prior study essential?
Because immediate load requires the implant to be very stable from the very first moment. To know this, a 3D scan is done that measures the quantity and quality of bone and allows the surgery to be planned precisely. Without that study, promising “teeth in a day” blindly would be far from serious.
This ties in with an honest idea: not everyone is a candidate, and a good professional will tell you so plainly. If you’d like to know whether you are, we cover it in am I a candidate for an implant?.
What care does it need in the first few days?
During the first few weeks, while the implant integrates, you have to pamper the area: a soft diet, no biting hard with the temporaries and careful hygiene. We set it out in detail in care after an implant.
Immediate load is a great solution when the case allows it, but the first thing is to look at your case. We’ll assess it for you with a scan at the first visit, which is free. Book an appointment whenever you like.
Frequently asked questions
What are immediate-load implants?
It's a technique in which the implants are placed and, the same day or within a few hours, a fixed temporary prosthesis is fitted on top. That way you leave the clinic with fixed teeth, without spending months without them. The definitive prosthesis is fitted later on.
Do I really leave with fixed teeth the same day?
In suitable cases, yes: a fixed temporary prosthesis the same day. It's not the definitive one (that's made once the implant has healed), but it lets you eat, talk and smile from day one.
Does it work for everyone?
Not for everyone. It depends above all on having enough bone, and of good quality. That's why a prior study with a 3D scan is needed. For some people it's the best option and for others the traditional technique is preferable.
Can we help with your case?
Free first consultation and diagnosis in Bilbao, no commitment.
