What Are Same-Day Implants
Same-day dental implants, also referred to as immediate implants or teeth in a day, involve placing a dental implant into the jawbone at the same appointment as a tooth extraction. Instead of extracting the tooth, waiting several months for the socket to heal, and then placing the implant in a second surgical procedure, the implant goes directly into the fresh extraction socket.
In selected cases, a temporary crown or bridge can also be attached to the implant on the same day, meaning the patient leaves the appointment with a tooth replacement in place rather than a gap.
This approach is not appropriate for every situation, but for patients who are suitable candidates, it can reduce the overall treatment timeline, the number of surgical appointments, and the time spent without a visible tooth.
Book a same day implant consultation: call (03) 9725 8040 or book online. Our Croydon practice is open six days a week, Saturdays included, with parking on site.
How It Differs from Traditional Implant Placement
The conventional implant pathway involves distinct stages separated by healing periods:
- Tooth extraction
- Healing period (typically three to six months for the socket to fill with bone)
- Implant placement surgery
- Osseointegration period (another three to six months for the implant to integrate with bone)
- Final restoration (crown, bridge, or denture)
With same-day implants, the extraction and implant placement are combined into one step, which can shorten the overall timeline by several months. The osseointegration period still applies, because the bone needs time to integrate with the implant, but the total number of surgical procedures and appointments is reduced.
Who Is a Candidate
Same-day implant placement is appropriate when certain clinical conditions are met. Your dentist will assess these factors using clinical examination and CBCT 3D imaging at our Croydon practice:
- Adequate bone around the extraction socket: there must be sufficient bone surrounding the socket to stabilise the implant. If the socket walls are thin, fractured, or deficient, the implant may not achieve the primary stability needed for immediate placement
- No active infection: teeth with large abscesses or significant infection around the root are generally not suitable for immediate implant placement. The infection needs to be resolved first
- Tooth being extracted for mechanical reasons: teeth lost due to fracture, failed root canal treatment, or root resorption are often good candidates because the surrounding bone is typically intact
- Sufficient soft tissue: the gum tissue around the extraction site should be healthy and of adequate volume to cover the implant during healing
- Patient health: general health factors that affect healing (such as uncontrolled diabetes, smoking, or certain medications) are considered in determining suitability
Not every extraction is suitable for immediate implant placement. Teeth with extensive bone loss from periodontal disease, teeth with large periapical infections, or multi-rooted teeth (such as molars) where the socket anatomy does not suit implant placement may require a staged approach. Your dentist will be straightforward about whether same-day placement is appropriate for your situation.
The Process
For patients who are suitable candidates, the same-day implant process at Divine Dental Care typically follows these steps:
Pre-Surgical Planning
Before the appointment, a CBCT scan is taken to assess the bone volume, socket anatomy, and proximity to important structures such as nerves and sinuses. The implant size, position, and angle are planned using the 3D data. In some cases, a surgical guide may be printed in-house to assist with precise placement.
Extraction and Implant Placement
On the day of the procedure, the tooth is carefully extracted with the goal of preserving as much of the surrounding bone as possible. The implant site is prepared within the extraction socket, and the implant is placed. If there is a gap between the implant surface and the socket walls, bone graft material may be packed around the implant to encourage bone fill.
Temporary Restoration (When Appropriate)
In cases where the implant achieves good primary stability and the tooth is in a visible area (such as a front tooth), a temporary crown may be attached on the same day. This temporary crown is shaped to be out of direct biting contact to avoid excessive loading during the integration period. For implants that do not receive a temporary crown, a healing cap is placed and the site is allowed to heal before the final restoration.
Healing and Final Restoration
The implant integrates with the bone over the following months. After integration is confirmed (typically via clinical assessment and sometimes follow-up imaging), the temporary restoration is replaced with a permanent custom-made crown.
Connection to Other Implant Services
Same-day implant placement is one component of the implant services available at our Croydon practice. Depending on your situation, it may be combined with:
- Guided implant surgery: using a 3D-printed surgical guide for precise positioning within the extraction socket
- Bone grafting: placing graft material around the implant at the time of placement to fill any gaps between the implant and socket walls
- All-on-4 full-arch replacement: immediate placement of multiple implants with a temporary fixed bridge, all completed in one day for full-arch rehabilitation
What Same-Day Implants Are Not
It is worth clarifying some common misconceptions:
- Same-day does not mean the implant is fully healed in one day. The implant still requires months to integrate with the bone. The "same day" refers to the placement happening at the time of extraction
- A temporary crown placed on the day is not the final restoration. It is a provisional that will be replaced with a custom-made permanent crown after healing
- Not every patient is a candidate. Clinical assessment is essential, and in some cases a staged approach will produce a more predictable outcome
Book an Assessment
If you have a tooth that needs extraction and are interested in exploring whether same-day implant placement is an option, our team can carry out a CBCT-based assessment at our Croydon practice. We see patients from Ringwood, Heathmont, Mooroolbark, Kilsyth, Bayswater, Montrose, and across Melbourne's eastern suburbs.
Our practice is at 59 Wicklow Avenue, Croydon VIC 3136, with on-site parking and a short walk from Croydon Station. Call (03) 9725 8040 or book online.
Related Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
What are same-day dental implants?
Same-day dental implants refer to the placement of a dental implant at the same appointment as a tooth extraction, rather than waiting several months for the extraction site to heal first. In some cases, a temporary crown or bridge can also be attached on the same day. The terms "immediate implants" and "teeth in a day" are also used to describe this approach.
Am I a candidate for same-day implants?
Suitability depends on several factors including the reason for extraction, the condition of the surrounding bone, the presence or absence of infection, and the location of the tooth. Same-day implants work well for teeth extracted due to fracture or failed root canal treatment where there is no active infection and adequate bone remains. Your dentist will assess your suitability using clinical examination and CBCT imaging.
How long do same-day implants last?
When placed in suitable candidates, same-day implants have comparable long-term outcomes to conventionally placed implants. With proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits, implants can function for many years. The immediate placement itself does not compromise longevity when patient selection and surgical technique are appropriate.
How does the cost compare to traditional implant placement?
The implant component itself is the same cost whether placed immediately or after a healing period. Same-day placement may reduce the overall cost of treatment by combining the extraction and implant procedures into one surgical appointment and potentially avoiding the need for a separate bone grafting procedure. However, not all cases are suitable for this approach, and the total cost depends on your individual treatment plan.
What is recovery like after same-day implant placement?
Recovery is generally similar to a standard extraction and implant placement. You can expect some swelling and discomfort for a few days, managed with pain relief. A soft diet is recommended for several weeks while the implant integrates. If a temporary crown is placed, you should avoid biting on it with force during the initial healing period. Your dentist will provide detailed aftercare instructions.
What happens at a same-day implant appointment?
The appointment typically involves extraction of the tooth, preparation of the implant site within the extraction socket, placement of the implant, and in some cases placement of a temporary restoration. The procedure is done under local anaesthetic. Depending on the complexity, the appointment may take one to two hours. A CBCT scan and planning will have been completed beforehand.
