Dental Implants

Teeth in an Hour / Teeth in a Day

Teeth In An Hour/Day is a relatively new buzz-word in Dentistry. It is based on the use of dental implants for replacing missing or to-be-extracted teeth.  It is fast becoming a popular marketing phrase that is used to attract potential patients based on its promoted ability to save time and office visits. 

At its simplest, “teeth in a day” can mean replacing a single tooth via an implant-supported-crown, and doing so in one day.  This usually means placing a dental implant and, at the same appointment, providing a temporary (acrylic) crown or bridge that is attached to an implant(s). The plastic crown/bridge or bridge is replaced by a more durable, final crown/bridge at a later date.

A larger, yet still simple form of such treatment involves converting an entire jaw with few or no teeth to a jaw with a full set of implant supported crowns, bridges or dentures.  Usually, the initially placed teeth are temporary and are replaced by the final set of higher quality and more durable teeth at a later date. There are now some practices that are placing the final set of pre-made final teeth the same day that the implants are placed. This treatment approach has many values when properly applied.

Quality replacement of even one compromised or diseased tooth, not to mention many such teeth, requires establishing health of the gum and bone prior to any type of dental reconstruction or tooth replacement.  This concept exists within all medical and dental reconstructive disciplines.  Once dental disease is eliminated, reconstruction of the gum and bone anatomy follows.  Only by reconstructing disease-damaged areas, so that they are like they were prior to the damage, can the best and most natural result be obtained. 

In contrast, the most dangerous and the worst application of the teeth-in-an-hour/day technique is to convert an unhealthy area, or an entire jaw, to one with implant-supported teeth before the disease and the damage is properly treated.  Unless health is present first, “Teeth in a Day” doesn’t necessarily equate to a functional, quality result that endures over time. Skilled implant dentists will acknowledge the risks and problems that occur when the technique is employed in this way.

At the Silberg Center for Dental Science, we  provide patients with “teeth in a day” style services when appropriate. Since our patient’s welfare is our number one concern, we do not sacrifice long term predictability in order to save time, money and visits. Through our extensive experience with the entire range of tooth replacement therapies and our ability to deliver dental rehabilitations that have stood the test of time, we know how and when to apply the most appropriate treatment approach for patients.
(See The Silberg Care Continuum)

Teeth-in-a-Day Case Studies

The following examples demonstrate “Teeth in a Day” care that has been provided.

Case 1

After all disease had been eliminated, and after the gum and bone anatomy had been reconstructed, the patient was seen for the placement of dental implants.

Implants were placed using local anesthetic (Novocaine) only.  The process was completed in two hours via the use of the latest CAD/CAM computerized implant technology. (See Our Science)

Following the implant placements, the patient then traveled to his restorative dentist and an acrylic reconstruction was fitted and inserted.

The acrylic teeth that were provided were cemented in place, were firm, comfortable and acted as the prototype for the design and manufacturing of the final porcelain teeth.

It is important not to immediately place the final porcelain teeth so that the gum and bone firmly attach to the implants. If any design changes are needed they are easily made and tested using the temporary teeth. Note how natural the top implant supported teeth appear.

Case 2

A dental implant was placed in an area of a missing tooth.appear.

That same day, an acrylic crown was attached to the implant.  The acrylic crown was left in place for several months, prior to making the final crown.  This allowed the gum and bone healing to be completed before the final crown was placed.  This eliminated the risk of having gum recession after the final crown was placed. If this occurs it  results in an area of metal showing between the gum and the crown  -- something that no one wants to see in the final result when they smile.