What is Immediate Single-Visit Dental Implantation?
Immediate dental implantation, also referred to as same-day or single-stage implantation, is an advanced clinical protocol where the extraction of a compromised tooth and the placement of a titanium dental implant, often with an immediate provisional restoration, are completed during a single surgical appointment.
In leading London practices, this approach adheres to strict clinical guidelines. Its success is predicated on comprehensive 3D diagnostic imaging (CBCT scans) and meticulous treatment planning, ensuring a predictable and biologically sound outcome that combines efficiency with high aesthetic and functional standards.
Key Advantages of the Immediate Implantation Protocol
The immediate implantation protocol, as practised in UK specialist clinics, provides patients with distinct clinical and practical benefits:
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Preservation of Aesthetic Contours. The immediate placement of a provisional crown prevents soft tissue collapse and maintains the natural architecture of the gingiva, which is critical for an aesthetically pleasing result, especially in the visible 'smile zone'.
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Reduced Overall Treatment Time. By consolidating the extraction and implant placement into one procedure, the total treatment timeline is significantly shortened compared to the conventional delayed protocol.
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Optimal Biological Environment. Placing an implant into a fresh extraction socket can be less traumatic and may better preserve the existing bone and soft tissue envelope, providing an ideal environment for osseointegration.
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Immediate Function and Patient Satisfaction. The provisional restoration allows for immediate, albeit protected, function and eliminates the period of edentulism, offering significant psychological and practical benefits to the patient.
The Clinical Protocol: How Immediate Implantation is Performed
Immediate implantation is a precisely sequenced procedure requiring expert diagnosis and execution. The process in a specialist London clinic typically follows these stages:
Stage 1: Advanced Diagnostics and 3D Virtual Planning
This foundational phase determines case selection and procedural predictability.
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Comprehensive Assessment: A thorough clinical examination and review of medical/dental history.
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3D Radiographic Analysis: A Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scan is essential to evaluate bone volume, density, the anatomy of the extraction site, and proximity to vital structures (e.g., the inferior alveolar nerve, maxillary sinus).
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Digital Workflow: Using specialised software, the clinician plans the ideal 3D position for the implant. A surgical guide is often fabricated to transfer this digital plan to the surgical site with millimetre precision.
Stage 2: The Surgical Procedure
The surgery is performed under local anaesthesia, often with sedation options for patient comfort.
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Minimally Traumatic Extraction: The tooth is removed using periotomes and other atraumatic techniques to preserve the integrity of the bony socket walls.
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Site Preparation and Implant Placement: Following the surgical guide, the osteotomy (implant bed) is prepared, and the titanium implant is inserted. Achieving high primary stability (typically >35 Ncm of insertion torque) is a critical success factor.
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Simultaneous Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR): If minor bony defects are present, they are grafted simultaneously with bone substitute material to ensure the implant is surrounded by stable bone.
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Immediate Provisionalisation: A custom-fabricated, non-load-bearing provisional crown is attached to the implant via a provisional abutment.
Stage 3: The Healing and Final Restoration Phase
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Osseointegration Period: A healing period of 3-6 months is observed for the implant to fully integrate with the jawbone. The patient follows a soft diet, and the provisional crown is regularly monitored.
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Final Impressions and Manufacturing: Once integration is confirmed, final impressions are taken for the fabrication of the definitive crown, typically crafted from high-strength, aesthetic materials like monolithic zirconia or lithium disilicate.
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Delivery of the Final Restoration: The custom-made permanent crown is securely fitted, completing the treatment and restoring full function and aesthetics.
A Critical Clinical Note: In London's specialist practices, immediate implantation is not a universal solution. It is strictly indicated only when specific criteria are met: absence of acute infection, adequate bone for primary stability, and favourable soft tissue conditions. When these conditions are not ideal, a staged approach with bone grafting is the recommended standard of care to ensure long-term success and patient safety.
