Immediate Load Implants
Immediate load implants, sometimes referred to as teeth-in-a-day, allow patients to receive dental implants and functional temporary teeth in a single appointment. Traditional implant protocols require a healing period of several months between implant placement and the attachment of a restoration. With immediate loading, the implant is placed and a provisional crown or prosthesis is attached the same day, giving patients the ability to leave the office with a complete, functional smile.
At Bensonhurst Dental Care, immediate load implants are placed by Dr. Geoffrey Rubinshtein, who carefully evaluates each patient's bone quality and implant stability to determine whether immediate loading is appropriate. Not every case qualifies for this approach. The implant must achieve a high level of primary stability at the time of placement in order to safely support a restoration without compromising the healing process. Dr. Geoffrey's expertise in both surgical placement and bone assessment ensures that this determination is made accurately and conservatively.
Immediate load implants are particularly appealing for patients replacing visible front teeth, where going months without a tooth is not a practical or desirable option. They are also central to full arch same day smile protocols, where an entire arch of teeth is replaced with a fixed provisional restoration on the day of surgery. For patients who do not meet the criteria for immediate loading, a traditional staged approach with a healing period before restoration remains an excellent and proven option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is immediate loading as reliable as the traditional approach?
When performed on properly selected patients with sufficient bone quality and primary implant stability, immediate loading has excellent success rates comparable to the traditional staged approach. Careful patient selection is the key to ensuring reliable outcomes.
Can any implant be immediately loaded?
No. Immediate loading requires the implant to achieve a specific level of stability in the bone at the time of placement. Factors such as bone density, implant size, and location all influence whether immediate loading is appropriate. Dr. Geoffrey makes this determination during the surgical appointment.
Will I be able to eat normally right away?
Patients receive functional provisional teeth on the day of surgery, but a soft diet is recommended for the first several weeks while the implants begin to integrate with the bone. Once healing is complete and the final restoration is placed, patients can return to eating normally without restriction.
Who is the best candidate for immediate load implants?
Patients with good bone density, healthy gum tissue, and no active infections are the best candidates. Non-smokers and patients without uncontrolled systemic conditions tend to have the most predictable results. Dr. Geoffrey evaluates candidacy on a case-by-case basis.
