Dental Implants–Immediate Function

Immediate Function of Implants
This is where implants are placed and actually restored within a short period of time (immediate to a few days).  This has tremendous advantages and risks.
The advantages are:
1)   A short treatment time—often just days or weeks instead of the 3-6 month healing/treatment of the more conventional      implant treatment.
2) Often the “gingival architecture or shape of the gums can be better preserved for better esthetics.
3) Avoidance of interim healing restorations such as temporary bridge, or temporary dentures of partials (flippers).Disadvantages are:
4) Fewer visits and time away from work.
5) Immediate esthetics.
6) Immediate (in very cases) chewing ability.  To have this successful the implants must be placed in very stable bone, and ideally joined together for additional support.  Some implant bridges, implant overdentures, or “Teeth in a Day” type dental bridges are examples.
Disadvantages are unfortunately also severe:
1) Success rates are lower in areas where the implant is subjected to biting or chewing forces.
2) An ideal amount of bone is needed for any success.
3)  If a failure does occur, the area usually has to have additional bone grafting, and healing time can be delays for 3-8 months additionally.
4) Patient is encouraged to chew only very soft foods for the first 3-4 months.
5) Failure rates usually do not occur immediately, but in the 3-8 week time period
6) For single crowns, long term success rates generally drop from the 98% range for conventionally placed implants, to the 85-88% success rates (depending on researcher and study parameters).
7) In many cases, only temporary restorations can be placed. and after 3-4 months the final restoration can be placed.
This is definitely an area where ideal conditions need present for predicable results.