Teeth In A Day - True Or False – How The Dental Implant Procedure Works

You may have seen billboards or TV ads promoting new teeth in a day. But is this true or false? Are we being misled?

Well, the answer is that the statement isn’t exactly false but it’s not exactly true either.

You see, the reality of the situation is that there is a lot of planning and several dental visits involved leading up to that ‘special day.’ You don’t simply rock up and get a set of teeth installed.

Patients considering their options for replacing missing teeth with dental implants need to understand how the implant process works so they can make informed decisions regarding comfort, functionality and esthetics based on their smile goals.

What are teeth in a day?

Whenever you hear or see the words ‘teeth in a day’ it’s usually referring to a full arch restoration where any remaining damaged or diseased teeth are extracted, four dental implants are inserted into the jawbone, and a set of temporary teeth are placed – all on the same day. Often, these are referred to as ‘All-on-4 implants.’

Several months later, once the implants have stabilized, the temporary teeth are switched out to make way for your permanent new teeth. This procedure can totally transform a patient’s life and boost their confidence especially if they’ve been struggling with multiple missing teeth or had a lifetime of dental difficulty.

More commonly, however, the majority of people may just be looking to replace a single tooth and while it’s not the norm to replace just one tooth in a single visit, it can be done in certain circumstances. This is a discussion that you would need to have with your dentist.

The dental implant process explained

Dental implants are the closest thing to natural teeth because they replace the entire missing tooth, including the root.

A titanium or zirconia implant post is surgically embedded into the jaw and left for several months until it fuses with the surrounding bone, in a process known as osseointegration. Once that has occurred and the implant is stable, your dentist will place a crown on top of it to complete the procedure.

Often two surgeries are required: one to place the implant post and the other to attach an abutment – a small component that connects the replacement tooth or teeth to the implants.

An implant dentist will talk to you about your options and create a treatment plan before you undergo surgery. The plan will include instructions on post-surgery implant care plus tips for maintaining good oral hygiene. Essentially, this is a long-term investment that involves teamwork with you and your dentist working closely together.

Determining if you are an eligible candidate

To be eligible for dental implants you need to meet certain criteria. Your mouth must be healthy and you need to be medically fit too. In the case of a single implant, you need to have sufficient bone in the jaw to support it. If this isn’t the case, your dentist may suggest a bone graft which will add to the overall duration and cost of treatment.

Bone density isn’t quite such a problem with teeth in a day, since the implants are typically shorter and placed strategically to support the full arch restoration. Dental grafts are rarely needed.

Certain medical conditions like diabetes, leukaemia and other systemic illnesses, can present a challenge for implants of any kind since they can disrupt the healing process. In these situations, your dentist is likely to liaise with your doctor before drawing up a treatment plan.

If you’re a smoker, your dentist will recommend you give up the habit since smoking is proven to be detrimental to dental implants. If you can’t quit the habit or cut right back, dental implants may not be a good choice for you.

When and why implants may take longer than a day?

Dental implant treatment is a multi-step procedure with intervals between each step required for healing. It may require a few visits and other procedures to prepare the implant site for surgery. Once the implant is placed, osseointegration needs to occur successfully before the replacement tooth can be attached and this can take anywhere from six weeks to several months.

However, in the case of all the teeth in an arch being replaced, it’s more time-efficient and beneficial for the patient for the dentist to extract the necessary teeth, place the implants simultaneously, and cover them with a temporary set of teeth (avoiding the patient having to be without any teeth). This way the implants have time to heal while the patient’s mouth is also adjusting to a denture. This guide we prepared earlier explains the All-on-4 procedure in more detail.

Teeth in a Day provides a permanent solution to tooth loss but as with other implants, maintaining good oral hygiene and regular dental exams is crucial for their longevity.

If you prefer a removable solution to missing teeth, you could opt for implant-supported dentures that snap on and off for cleaning. Your dentist will be more than happy to discuss all of your treatment options based on your lifestyle, preference and budget.

Enjoying your new smile

The best thing about Teeth in a Day is their remarkable resemblance to natural teeth in terms of how they look, feel and function. Compared to traditional dentures, it’s easier to eat, digest your food, and smile and talk without the fear of your dentures slipping and sliding or falling out of your mouth. There are no clicking noises either.  

If you’re interested in All-on-4 dental implants why not schedule a free implant consultation with the friendly experienced team at Chesterfield Dentist to see how we can help you? Call us at 314 936 3621 or use our online booking service.