Are Implant Supported Dentures Possible With a Single Procedure?

Patients with missing or broken teeth have a variety of options. Implant supported dentures, which involve attaching dentures to metal implants in the jawbone, have become one of the more popular choices. However, the prospect of going weeks or months without teeth while waiting for the gums to heal can be discouraging for some patients. Fortunately, patients may be able to avoid this dilemma by having a single-day implant procedure known as "Teeth in a Day." 

The Teeth in a Day Process

Teeth in a Day is an implant supported dentures procedure that avoids requiring patients to go months without teeth. The dentist immediately places either a traditional removable denture or a load implant-retained removable denture on the same day as the implant surgery. 

Who can have the procedure?

Any patient who is considering implant supported dentures may be able to have this procedure. However, healthy patients who have the procedure performed immediately after initial tooth loss have higher success rates.

How does the process work?

The dentist begins the process by performing a high-resolution CT scan of the jawbone structure. This helps the dentist determine where to place the implants. Next, a temporary denture is constructed to attach over the implants after placement. Once the dentist receives the temporary denture, the patient returns to the office to begin the Teeth in a Day procedure.

If the patient has any damaged teeth, the dentist removes the teeth. The dentist then places the dental implant posts and positions the temporary denture. After the implants have had time to heal, the patient returns to have abutments and attachment pieces placed and an impression is made to construct the permanent restoration or adjust the temporary denture and attach it to the implant posts. 

Benefits and drawbacks of the Teeth in a Day procedure

The Teeth in a Day procedure can be more costly than traditional implant supported dentures because most patients need two prosthetics to be made instead of just one. Additionally, the risk of failure for this procedure is slightly higher than for the traditional method. 

The primary benefit of Teeth in a Day is that patients do not need to spend any time without teeth. Patients who get traditional implant supported dentures usually have to wait several months between the implant placement and the placement of the dentures. During that time it may be difficult to chew and speak clearly and facial shape may change. The Teeth in a Day procedure avoids this by immediately placing a temporary, but fully functional, denture. 

Additionally, the temporary denture protects the dental implants during the healing process. Many patients have more confidence in the smile throughout the treatment. 

Conclusion

The Teeth in a Day procedure does not completely avoid the need for multiple dental visits during the implant supported dentures process. However, it does eliminate the need for patients to go months without any functional teeth after having dental implants placed. 

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