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.
