For Dental
Tourists the idea of Implants-In-A-Day, sometimes called immediate load
implants, are tremendously attractive as they offer the possibility of
a fully restored tooth with a permanent crown in a single trip. But
what exactly are they, and how do they differ from regular implants?
Normal implantation takes place over two phases and needs as many as
four trips to the dentist. For the Dental Tourist this would typically
require two trips to their chosen destination. During the first stage
the titanium screw (the implant) is inserted into the jaw and left to
heal. Between 3 and 6 months later the implant will have bonded with
the jawbone and the patient can return for the second phase, where the
crown, bridge or denture is attached.
The idea behind Implants-In-A-Day utilizes new techniques and
scanning technology to make a precision crown which is placed onto an
extremely accurately placed implant, all in the space of a couple of
hours. This allows a Dental Tourist to get their implant in a single
trip.
The normal method is that the dentist will use a 3 dimensional scan
(CT scan) to create a near perfect picture of your jaw. This is then
used to make a template that is used to model the final restoration
including the crown. The dentist then uses the template to place the
implant with tremendous precision. This precision is what allows for
the crown to be immediately attached to the implant.
Implants-In-A-Day require advanced techniques and technology and as
such they should only be performed by extremely experienced implant
surgeons. Any slight misplacement of the implant will cause the crown
to sit incorrectly and it will be necessary to wait for new crowns to
be made. It should be noted that not all patients will be suitable for
Implants-In-A-Day. It is also common for the procedure to take place
over a few days, rather than just taking the one day advertised.
Pros
You can get your implant done in a
single trip without having to wait up to 6 month between visits. This
means less travel costs and less time off work. It also means you get
the cosmetic and functional benefits of the implant sooner. Also since
the placing of the implant was so precise, your healing time is
reduced.
Cons
The technique requires advanced
technology and a very skilled practitioner; as a result
Implants-In-A-Day tend to be more costly than regular implants. There
is also a slightly greater chance of the implant failing.