What does immediate loading of dental implants consist of and how is it performed?
Immediate loading of dental implants is a technique that allows us to place a fixed dental prosthesis on the implants installed in a period of time no longer than 48-72 hours after the intervention.
Once the number of implants to be placed and their corresponding location in the jawbone have been studied and agreed upon, the operation is performed under local anesthesia. Immediately after the installation of the implants, impressions are taken and the fixed prosthesis is made in less than 48-72 hours. While this prosthesis is being fabricated, healing abutments are installed so that the gum does not occlude access to the implants.
In other cases, such as the All-on-four and the Nobel Guide, the fixed prosthesis is made beforehand using virtual records and at the time of the operation it is connected to the implants.
What are the advantages of this technique for the patient?
There are two major advantages of the immediate loading technique. Firstly, it is important to point out that all the interventions are performed by Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS), so postoperative discomfort is minimal. There is no edema or hematoma and the patient is already comfortable with his prosthesis on the same day of the intervention.
The other advantage is that the patient does not stop his or her work and social activities at any time, since the waiting times that were previously necessary after the installation of dental implants have been shortened considerably. An excellent preparation and a careful technique allow the immediate rehabilitation of the patient in all senses.
Are these implants definitive or will they have to be replaced?
The implants placed after the operation are definitive, but the prosthesis is “provisional”. It must be taken into account that the newly installed implants should not be subjected to inadequate loads, especially in the first weeks of treatment. The patient should take care of his diet, restricting it to soft food at least during this period.
The time required varies depending on whether the implant has been placed in the maxilla or in the mandible. We cannot forget that osseointegration in the upper jaw requires 4 months while in the mandible the integration of the implants is consolidated in about 2 months. After that time a definitive prosthesis is made and with it you can have a normal diet.
Can all patients undergo this treatment?
The vast majority of patients can benefit from the immediate loading technique. Our criterion is not to submit to this technique only a small percentage of people, those who have special bone characteristics or who need bone grafts to be able to place implants.
The Nobel Guide (computer-guided surgery) has given us great safety in the treatment of patients with little available bone. It allows immediate loading, with all the advantages that this entails.
In conclusion, rigorous planning and a careful technique are the basis for obtaining very satisfactory results in all our patients. For more information on immediate load dental implants, consult a specialist in Dentistry or a specialist in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.