Overview
Immediate Implant Placement
Same-day dental implants — also known as immediate implant placement or immediate-load implants — combine the extraction of a failing tooth with the placement of a dental implant in a single appointment. In qualifying cases, a provisional crown or bridge is attached to the implant the very same day, so you leave with a tooth in place rather than a gap in your smile.
This approach eliminates the waiting period that traditional implant protocols require between extraction and implant placement, reducing your total treatment time and the number of surgical appointments needed. For patients facing the loss of a visible front tooth, same-day placement is especially valuable — there is no period of going without a tooth.
Immediate vs. Conventional Implants
Traditional implant protocols require waiting eight to twelve weeks after extraction for the socket to heal before placing the implant. Same-day implants bypass this waiting period entirely. Not every patient or site is a candidate, but when conditions are right, same-day placement achieves excellent long-term results with considerably less inconvenience.
Extraction, implant placement, and provisional crown in a single visit. Fewer appointments, less disruption to your schedule.
A provisional restoration is placed the same day so you never have to experience the discomfort or self-consciousness of a missing tooth.
By combining steps, total treatment time from start to final restoration is often shortened compared to conventional two-stage implant protocols.
The Procedure
What Happens on Surgery Day
Same-day implant placement begins with a thorough pre-surgical evaluation including 3D cone beam CT imaging. This imaging confirms that the site has sufficient bone density and volume to support immediate implant placement and provisional loading — not every extraction site qualifies, and this step ensures a predictable outcome.
On the day of surgery, the compromised tooth is carefully extracted, and the implant is placed directly into the socket. Dr. Hoover uses precise surgical technique to ensure the implant achieves strong initial stability — a critical factor in same-day success. A provisional crown or restoration is then fabricated and attached, protecting the implant and maintaining your smile while healing occurs.
Over the following three to six months, the implant fully integrates with the surrounding bone. Once osseointegration is confirmed, your final permanent crown is placed, completing the restoration. The result is indistinguishable from a natural tooth.
Candidacy
Who Qualifies for Same-Day Implants?
Same-day implant placement is appropriate when the extraction socket has sufficient bone on all walls to securely hold the implant and when there is no active infection at the site. Ideal candidates are in good general health, are non-smokers or willing to stop smoking, and have adequate bone density confirmed by 3D imaging.
Patients with significant infection, bone loss around the tooth, or inadequate bone volume may require a conventional approach — allowing the site to heal fully, with or without a bone graft, before implant placement. Dr. Hoover will evaluate your specific situation and provide an honest recommendation at your consultation.
Yes — when appropriate candidates are selected and technique is excellent, same-day implants achieve success rates comparable to conventional two-stage implants. The key is thorough pre-surgical evaluation to confirm suitability.
You will receive a provisional restoration, but you will follow a soft diet during the initial healing period to avoid placing excessive forces on the implant before osseointegration is complete. Normal eating resumes with the final crown.
No. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia or IV sedation and is comparable in comfort to a conventional implant placement. Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how manageable the recovery is.