Same-day dental implants (sometimes called “teeth in a day”) combine implant placement and a temporary restoration into a single appointment. Instead of leaving with a healing socket and a gap for months, you leave with a temporary tooth or set of teeth attached to the implant on the day of surgery.
It’s important to understand what “same-day” refers to: it’s the visible tooth that’s same-day, not the full treatment. The implant post still needs time to fuse with the bone (osseointegration) before your final, permanent crown or bridge is fitted. The temporary restoration bridges that gap functionally and cosmetically.
How Is This Different From Traditional Implants?
| Same-Day Implants | Traditional Implants |
|---|---|
| Temporary tooth fitted on the day of implant placement | Tooth replacement may be delayed during healing |
| Fewer treatment stages in suitable cases | Multiple stages may be required |
| Final restoration fitted after healing | Final restoration fitted after healing |
| Suitable for selected patients with adequate implant stability | May be preferred when staged healing or additional treatment is required |
The biological process is the same in both approaches: the implant needs to integrate with the surrounding bone before the final restoration is fitted.
Am I a Candidate for Same-Day Dental Implants?
You’re more likely to be suitable if you:
- Have sufficient healthy bone and soft tissue to achieve stable implant placement, or be suitable for an approach that does not require preliminary bone grafting.
- Are a non-smoker or willing to stop smoking during healing, as smoking significantly increases implant failure risk.
- Have healthy gums and no active infection at the site.
- Are in good general health with no conditions that slow healing.
In selected patients with reduced bone volume, full-arch approaches such as All-on-4 may reduce the need for extensive bone grafting by using strategically positioned implants. Suitability depends on individual anatomy and implant stability.
What’s the Procedure Like?
- Step 1: Consultation and imaging. A CBCT scan maps your jawbone in detail, confirming whether same-day placement is viable.
- Step 2: Extraction (if needed). Any failing tooth is removed at the start of the same appointment.
- Step 3: Implant placement. The implant is placed into the jawbone using local anaesthetic, with sedation available for suitable patients where appropriate.
- Step 4: Temporary restoration. A temporary crown, bridge, or full-arch prosthesis is attached immediately, giving you a functional, natural-looking tooth to leave with.
- Step 5: Healing. The implant then undergoes a healing period while it integrates with the surrounding bone. Patients may need to follow a softer diet and avoid excessive biting forces on the temporary restoration until the implant has integrated. The timing varies depending on the individual case and healing response.
- Step 6: Final restoration. Once healing is confirmed and osseointegration is verified, the temporary restoration is removed and replaced with your final, permanent crown, bridge, or full-arch prosthesis.
Is It Painful?
The procedure is done under local anaesthetic, so there’s no pain during surgery. Afterward, mild swelling or soreness for a few days is normal, similar to a tooth extraction, and manageable with standard pain relief.
Can I Eat Normally the Same Day?
You’ll be advised to stick to softer foods around the implant site while it heals initially, gradually returning to normal eating as directed. The temporary tooth is functional, but it’s still sensible to avoid very hard or chewy foods on that side early on.
Book a Consultation
If you want to know whether you’re a candidate for same-day implants, a consultation and CBCT scan can help determine whether same-day implants are suitable for you and provide an individualised treatment plan, estimated cost and expected timeline.
FAQs
Q.1 Does “same-day implant” mean the whole process is done in one day?
Ans: No. The implant is placed and a temporary tooth is fitted on the same day, but the implant still needs 3–6 months to fully fuse with the bone before your final, permanent restoration is placed.
Q.2 Is same-day implant treatment more expensive?
Ans: Not necessarily — cost depends more on the number of implants, whether extractions or grafting are needed, and the type of restoration, rather than the same-day element itself. We provide a full itemised quote at consultation.
Q.3 Can same-day implants fail?
Ans: As with any implant, there’s a small risk of failure, generally linked to insufficient bone contact, infection, or excessive load on the temporary restoration during healing. Following aftercare guidance significantly reduces this risk.
Q.4 Is same-day treatment available for a full arch, not just one tooth?
Ans: Yes. All-on-4 is a common same-day approach for patients needing a full arch of fixed teeth, using four implants placed at angles to maximise contact with existing bone.
