The process of replacing a missing tooth is daunting. Most people seeking this kind of medical intervention are afraid of the time that the procedure takes to be completed. However, with the existence of same-day tooth replacement, anyone can achieve the expected results within the shortest time possible. Encino Dental Implant offers same-day tooth replacement to clients who are not interested in waiting for an extended period to have their missing teeth replaced.
What is Same-day Tooth Replacement?
A same-day tooth replacement can be defined as the process of replacing a missing tooth on a single day. This means that the surgery and replacement of the tooth are completed on the same day. This process might seem confusing compared to a typical dental implant process or bridgework, but specific criteria should be considered for this kind of approach to work.
Please note, same-day tooth replacement only offers a temporary solution to retaining your beautiful smile before your custom teeth are ready to place on your implant. However, the use of bridges provides an opportunity to replace your teeth without necessarily removing the rest of the teeth.
Candidacy for Same-day Tooth Replacement
Since the procedure of replacing teeth on the same day is quite complicated, it requires specific requirements to ensure that it is successful. There are certain aspects that one should meet to be considered as a successful candidate for the same-day replacement. The following are factors that define a suitable candidate for a same-day tooth replacement.
The Extent of Tooth Loss
The extent of your tooth loss can be defined in two ways. Firstly, you need to determine the number of teeth that you have lost. If you have lost several teeth, it is much easier to replace the teeth since the space that is available for the replacement is enough to work on without a lot of struggle. Please note, the teeth must be aligned in one row for more natural intervention. Otherwise, if the teeth are placed separately in different positions, it might prove hard to replace them at a go.
Secondly, the extent of your tooth loss can be viewed on the principle of the time that your teeth have been missing. The jawbone and gum deteriorate with time and might not have enough density needed to accommodate an implant. Therefore, the jawbone might require regeneration to meet the required thickness for an implant. This goes for about three to five months, which does not suit the same-day replacement.
Ideally, same-day replacement works with tooth extraction and replacement on the same day. So, there is no time for jawbone degeneration, which would hinder the process.
The Health of the Patient
The physical and mental health of a patient matters a lot while handling a same-day tooth replacement. The mouth of the patient should be in the healthiest condition possible, and one should not have any gum disease. The dentist will also check the possibility of a root canal while setting up a bridge. A root canal has the potential of spurring an infection that will weaken the teeth and make it prone to damage.
Strength of the Teeth
For a patient to have the same-day bridgework, one must have healthy teeth that can support the bridge. The dentist may recommend a partial denture for a patient with extensive tooth loss. However, if it is tooth decay, the dentist can address it on the same day through a bridgework.
Other factors that determine your suitability for a same-day tooth replacement include:
- You do not grind your teeth frequently
- You are ready to observe proper dental care
- Have no medical condition that can affect your bone density
Same Day Bridgework
A same-day bridgework would be the perfect procedure needed for a same-day tooth replacement. Dental bridges consist of two or more special fitting crowns which are placed on anchoring teeth or abutment on both sides of your missing tooth or teeth. They are quite strong and reliable and can provide a natural feel similar to your teeth.
Dental bridgework has two or more anchoring teeth, which are referred to as the anchoring teeth. It also has a false one in between, which is referred to as the pontic. Here are the types of bridges that you should know about. They include:
Traditional Dental Bridges
These bridges are widely preferred compared with other types of bridges. They consist of one or two fake teeth that are held in place by dental crowns. These crowns are referred to as abutment and are cemented to the teeth near the missing teeth.
This kind of bridge is common when there are natural teeth on both sides of the gap created by the missing teeth. The most significant setback that comes with traditional dental bridges is the need to remove the enamel of the adjacent teeth to create a room where the crowns can be cemented on top. This might be a significant risk since you have to protect the crown later on when you need to use a different approach since the enamel does not grow back.
Cantilever Bridges
This kind of bridge is quite close to the traditional one, although the abutment is used on a single side. Therefore, if there is one natural tooth next to the gap, one can still secure a bridge using this method.
Maryland Bridges
This type of bridge is referred to as a conservative alternative to the traditional bridges. The bridges consist of a pontic that is held between porcelain or metal framework. The framework is then bonded to the back of your adjacent teeth to the missing tooth. Since this kind of bridge does not rely on neighboring teeth for support, there is no need to file them.
Maryland bridges might seem like a conservative type of traditional bridge but have its downside. The bridge’s strength has limitations due to the resin used to hold it. The resin might not maintain its strength when subjected to excessive force, like in the case of molars. Also, its framework might get into the way of the gum.
Implant-supported Bridges
This sort of bridge uses dental implants to provide support for the pontic rather than using a framework or crowns. One implant is usually placed for every missing tooth, and a series of implants hold the bridge. However, the dentist might suspend a pontic between two implant-supported crowns if it is impossible to place an implant for every tooth that has been lost.
From the above-stated dental bridges option, it is easy to use the traditional, cantilever, and the Maryland option in a same-day tooth replacement approach. The implant-supported option might also be a viable option, but the patient must meet a lot of health requirements to make sure that the procedure is a success.
How Dental Bridgework is Carried Out
In the first visit for a dental bridgework, the preparation of the abutment kicks off. The preparation process involves re-contouring the teeth by doing away with part of the enamel to create enough room that the crown can be placed. Next, the dentist will make a model of the teeth, which will serve as the model for the bridge, pontic, and the crown. The model is made in a lab by a technician. During the procedure, the dentist will make a short-term bridge to safeguard the exposed gums and teeth.
In your second visit, the dentist will remove the temporary bridge, and the new porcelain or metal bridge is checked and adjusted to ensure that it has a proper fit. You might be required to make regular visits to the dentist to check the framework and the bite. Once the dentist approves its fitting, he or she will cement it to place.
Please note, the dental bridgework might take one day to complete if the dental clinic involved in this process has the technical capacity to handle it.
Disadvantages of Dental Bridges
Although the dental bridges stand out to be the most favored option in same-day tooth replacement, there are a couple of downsides that it poses. These disadvantages are as follows:
Something Might Go Wrong with the Abutment
As you have learned, dental bridges rely on other teeth as their abutment. Therefore, there are possibilities of experiencing a couple of issues with the abutment, such as infection. In such a case, you might end up losing the entire bridge, which would lead to additional expenses.
Intolerable Stress on Abutment
According to Ante’s law, the longer the span of your bridge, the higher the force applied to the abutment. The excess force can cause excessive stress on the support teeth due to high biting forces. In that case, the abutment will lose their strength with time, which will lead to their loss.
Tooth Preparation
When the bridgework involves young teeth, there are chances of needing root canal therapy in the future. This happens when there is little or no restoration required for the teeth. Therefore, this might be a disadvantage to young people who are experiencing the growth of their molars and premolar teeth and have a missing tooth that needs replacement.
Injury to the Tooth
The process of preparing teeth for the bridgework is an injury to the tooth itself. Reducing its enamel to fit the characteristics of an abutment might lead to inflammation of the nerve, which might cause sensitivity of the tooth or other side effects. These effects are quite minimal but still stand as a risk that the procedure imposes.
Same-day Dental Implant
A dental implant offers a more stable option for tooth replacement and has been used for quite an extended period. The process is quite complicated since it involves intensive preparations that are hard to meet within a day. However, with a good clinic, it is easy to manage the procedure within the same day.
Ideally, a dental implant is a three-step procedure that involves placing the implant, attaching the post, and connecting the crown.
Placing the Implant
The oral surgeon will order a couple of considerations to prepare you for the process, before the surgery to place the implant into the jawbone takes place. Some of these preparations involve:
- Rinsing your mouth with an anti-bacterial mouthwash
- Prescribing some antibiotics
- Asking you to take a good breakfast
During the surgery, the dentist will numb your jawbone with local anesthesia and make an incision on the gum to expose it. The surgeon will use a specialized drilling procedure to create space that will accommodate the implant and place it using a hand tool or the same drill used to create the first space.
Attaching the Post
Since the implant is expected to be exposed during the same-day procedure, the dentist will place a small extension on the implant to fit the new crown. The dentist will then make an impression of your teeth, which takes the proper alignment of your teeth.
Attaching the Crown
Once the post has been placed, the dentist will fit the new crown and check the shape of your mouth. This procedure requires an evaluation from the dentist to ensure that the crown fits your mouth and achieve the expected results.
Possible Risks of Same-day Dental Implant
There are quite a lot of benefits of using a same-day implant. However, there are quite a couple of risks that might result from the procedure. Traditional dental implants require a couple of months to provide enough time for the screw to integrate with the jawbone. However, with same-day replacement, there is no time for this consideration and might end up causing a lot of problems in the end. One of the possible issues that one might experience is the shifting of the implant due to a lack of proper healing period.
Another risk that this procedure poses includes the possibility of losing the facial shape due to the lack of enough time to have the bone heal due to the new teeth. In this case, you might need an additional operation to regain the original shape.
In general, one can conclude the following as the cons of a same-day dental implant.
- There are risks of implant movement
- Risks of infections
- The need to wear replacement to accommodate the habit of grinding your teeth
The decision to consider a dental implant or dental bridgework depends on your health and financial capacity. Of course, a dental implant is the best option for a long term consideration, but there are a couple of risks associated with it. On the other hand, bridgework is quite affordable but does not have a permanent solution. Therefore, it is recommended that you speak with your dentist to make a sound and informed decision.
Recovery Instructions of a Same-day Tooth Replacement
Regardless of the tooth-replacement procedure that you decide on, your dentist will provide several instructions that will help in your recovery process. Before you proceed into learning these instructions, it is necessary to learn that the recovery process involves a bit of swelling, and stitching if you have undertaken a dental implant. The swelling will take three to four days and will start to subsidize after a week. You will also have experienced some mouth stitches, which will disappear after three to five days. With such information in mind, here are the possible instructions that your dentist will give you:
Dieting
The dentist will recommend soft foods after dental surgery or bridgework. It is not advisable to take your drinks through a straw or hot beverages. With that in mind, here is a list of the foods you should consider:
- Milkshake
- Water
- Soup broth
- Pudding
- Fruit juice
- Apple sauce
- Tofu
- Pancakes
- Muffing and other soft foods.
Please note, you should maintain a daily diet and avoid skipping your regular nourishment since it is crucial for your recovery. It might be uncomfortable in the first few days, but with time, you will adapt to the experience and start taking hard foods.
Oral Hygiene
When it comes to oral hygiene, your dentist will emphasize on regular brushing, flossing, and the wearing of a nightguard. With your brushing, you must brush your teeth at least twice a day, especially before sleeping to avoid allowing bacteria to thrive during the night. You should also have a brush with the right tips and bristles needed for this process.
With flossing, it might be hard to floss effectively, especially if you have gone through a dental bridgework. However, your dentist will recommend a particular flossing procedure that will not fray or leave any debris in your mouth. Using an oral irrigator might be quite useful in this process.
Finally, it is recommendable to have a nightguard if you have a habit of grinding your teeth. A night guard is suitable for both bridgework and dental implants since it prevents the application of intense pressure on the abutment and the implant.
Lifestyle
The worst lifestyle decision that one can make while recovering from tooth replacement is smoking. Such a lifestyle harms your oral health and hygiene and will end up increasing the risk of infection. Also, it slows down the recovery process, meaning that you will need to take more time than expected.
Other considerations that you should make include:
- Visiting the dentist at least once in a week until the bridge or implant is thoroughly healed
- Avoid sneezing in a way that you can affect your sinus lift
- Avoid taking non-prescribed medication
- Maintaining one dentist throughout the recovery process.
Materials Used in Same-day Tooth Replacement
Several materials are used in tooth replacement. These materials differ according to the component used in the replacement process when it comes to dental bridgework, dental bridges, and dental crowns. In dental implants, the kind of materials that are used relies on the implant and the crown.
Before we go into details about the materials used in tooth replacement, it is essential to acknowledge that the suitability of such materials relies on strength, durability, and aesthetics.
Dental Implant Material
Two materials are used in the manufacture of dental implants. This includes titanium and zirconium, with titanium being the most common material used in the manufacture of dental implants. It is widely preferred due to its durability and non-reaction with the jawbone. Its cost is reasonable hence its broad preference.
Zirconium is a new material that is used along with titanium. Its characteristics are close to titanium, although it has not been widely used. However, experts are referring to it as the material for the future, as it gains popularity.
Dental Crown
Crowns are made out of metals, fused-to-metals, resins, or ceramic. The kind of metal that is used include gold, chromium, palladium, and nickel. Although the metallic color of these materials is quite a drawback, they are suitable choices due to their longevity.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal is a type of crown that matches the color of the teeth. They have a more natural tooth color, although the porcelain cap usually shows a dark line and can easily chip or break off.
All-ceramic or all-porcelain also provide a natural appearance to their users. They are also suitable options for people with metallic allergies. The only downside that they have is their weakness that cannot match metallic or metal fused crowns.
All-resin dental crowns are not as expensive as the rest and offer a natural appearance as well. However, they wear out quite quickly and are likely to break under pressure.
Finally, pressed ceramic crowns are a better option due to their hard inner core. They can be used as a replacement to the metal liners, which is used in making an all-ceramic crown. They are capped with porcelain, which provides a natural color match.
Find Encino Dental Implant Services Near Me
Getting a same-day tooth replacement requires a dental clinic that has the human resources needed to handle every necessary process at any given time. These dental clinics are quite rare, and the few that are available might not meet your expectations. Encino Dental Implant offers the best dental implant services to people living in Encino, CA. If you want a same-day tooth replacement, contact us at 818-810-7535 to get a free consultation.
