One-Stage Implant Surgery

Depending on the patient's needs, one-stage implant surgery can be performed with temporary teeth or with permanent teeth. Most often, immediate application with temporary teeth is preferred. However, it should be remembered that treatment planning must be personalized. With one-stage implant surgery using temporary teeth, it is possible for patients to leave the clinic with functional and aesthetic teeth on the same day as the implant placement or the next day. Temporary teeth ensure the osseointegration process of the implant within the bone and its fixation in the jawbone. At the same time, they restore oral functions and establish an aesthetic appearance. It is a suitable and attractive alternative for a large number of patients who do not want to remain edentulous during the waiting period.  For some patients, one-stage implant surgery with permanent teeth may be a more appropriate option. One-stage implant treatment with permanent prosthetic teeth aims to place a permanent prosthesis on the implant shortly after the implant is placed. The decision of whether temporary or permanent teeth will be preferred in one-stage implant surgery is made based on the patient's oral health, bone density, and expectations from the treatment. Expert Dentist Emin Serhat Arıkan, who serves his patients in Adana, explained the details about one-stage implant surgery.   

What is One-Stage Implant Surgery (Immediate Implant) and What are Its Stages?

One-stage implant surgery refers to the implant treatment procedure where the placement of the implant and the placement of the prosthesis are fitted into a single operation. One-stage implant surgery is generally a suitable procedure for patients who have sufficient bone density and are in good health. One-stage implant treatment shortens the duration of the treatment to be applied to the patient and enables patients to achieve dental aesthetics and functions more quickly. However, one-stage implant surgery may not be a suitable treatment method for everyone. Your dentist will consider your health status and treatment expectations to determine the most suitable treatment option for you. The stages of one-stage implant surgery are as follows:

Comprehensive Evaluation 

First, the dentist conducts a comprehensive evaluation of the patient's oral health and general health status. The patient's medical history and imaging examinations are reviewed. Dental molds are taken. In light of all these data, the implant placement position and angle can be determined.

Implant Placement

During implant placement, anesthesia is first administered to the patient. Then, the dentist drills a hole in the jawbone and places the implant in the targeted area. The implant acts as a tooth root and provides support for the prosthesis.  

Prosthesis Placement

After the implant is placed on the jawbone, a crown, bridge, or prosthesis is placed during the same operation. This prosthesis sits on the implant, providing the patient with the function and aesthetic appearance of their natural tooth.  

Healing Process 

After the implant integrates with the jawbone, the patient needs a certain healing period to gain stability. During this period, the patient should avoid hard and difficult chewing actions. At the same time, careful oral hygiene is also of great importance.

Who is One-Stage Implant Surgery Suitable For?

One-stage implant surgery can be applied to patients with sufficient bone quality. The implant must be firmly placed in the jawbone. Multiple implants can be applied to completely edentulous upper or lower jaws. Temporary prostheses are applied over these implants, and early loading can be performed.

Two implants can be placed in edentulous lower jaws, and these implants are connected to a removable prosthesis with retaining parts. This allows for early loading. In cases of a single missing tooth or regional tooth loss, if the patient's bone density is sufficient, early loading can be performed. Especially in cases of anterior tooth loss, when an implant is applied, a prosthesis can be immediately placed on the implant for aesthetic reasons.

Implants can be placed in the targeted area using open or closed surgical methods. The goal of surgical intervention is to stabilize the implant. After sufficient stability is achieved, an impression can be taken from the patient during the same session, and a prosthesis can be applied over the implant within 24 hours. Temporary prostheses are screwed or bonded onto the implants. This completes the treatment.

What are the Advantages of One-Stage Implant Surgery?

• The most important advantage of one-stage implant surgery is that the area of tooth loss can be immediately completed with a temporary prosthesis. This eliminates the patient's obligation to use a removable prosthesis for months.
• Temporary prostheses are connected and fixed to the implant. This eliminates the disadvantages caused by removable prostheses.
• It prevents possible horizontal and vertical resorption that may occur after extraction. This allows for the placement of an adequately sized implant.
• The healing potential of extraction sockets allows the implant to fuse with the bone.
• Aesthetic problems are immediately corrected with temporary fixed prostheses. This makes the person feel psychologically and aesthetically better.
• It helps preserve the form of the gum.
• Considering all these, it can be said that more successful aesthetic results are obtained compared to two-stage implant surgery.
• It also helps the implant integrate with the bone more quickly.

What are the Disadvantages of One-Stage Implant Surgery?

• Compared to two-stage implants, the risk of infection can be said to be higher. 
• Even the smallest infection can lead to implant loss.
• It is not a universally applicable method for every patient. Bone quality and quantity must be appropriate.
• A longer healing period is needed for wound healing.
• Some negative consequences may arise from incompatibilities between the implant and the extracted tooth root area.

What are the Success Factors of One-Stage Implant Surgery?

If sufficient primary stabilization cannot be achieved, one-stage implant surgery should not be performed. Choosing an experienced physician specializing in implant surgery is important. Classic oral care is not enough. It is important to pay greater attention to oral hygiene during the first three months. Hard foods should be avoided for the first two months.

Except in mandatory situations, the temporary prosthesis is kept short during early loading to prevent excessive force on the implant. This hinders the full establishment of chewing function. If bone quality is low, early loading should not be performed on large molars in the upper jaw.

Before applying one-stage implant surgery to the patient, measurements should be taken, imaging technologies should be used, and a surgical guide should be prepared. According to this guide, temporary prostheses prepared using CAD/CAM technology can be immediately placed on implants inserted using the closed surgical technique. The patient can leave the clinic with fixed prostheses in a single session.

One-Stage Implant Treatment Or Two-Stage Implant Treatment?

Both methods have their unique advantages and disadvantages. When deciding which method to prefer, the patient's general health status, implant site, bone quality, bone quantity, and the doctor's opinion are important criteria.

One-stage implant surgery is completed in a single session. After the implant is placed in the jawbone, a healing cap is attached. The gum heals over this cap, and then the prosthetic tooth is placed on the implant. This method is advantageous in terms of speeding up the treatment process and being a less invasive method for the patient. However, this method may result in an insufficient period for bone healing and the implant to fully settle.

Two-stage implant surgery is a traditional method and is preferred especially in complex cases. In this method, the implant is first placed in the jawbone, and then the gum is closed over it. After the implant integrates with the bone, the gum is opened in the second session. A healing cap is placed on the implant. Finally, the prosthetic tooth is placed. Two-stage implant surgery promises advantages such as solid bone healing and better implant seating. However, the process takes longer and requires more surgical intervention.

What are the Risks of One-Stage Implant Surgery?

One-stage implant surgery carries certain risk factors. The most significant risk factor is that the risk of infection is higher compared to two-stage implant surgery. Even the smallest infection that may occur can lead to implant loss.

Another risk factor is volumetric incompatibility between the implant and the tooth root area. This incompatibility can lead to defect formation. If one-stage implant surgery is not applied correctly, all its advantages can turn into disadvantages.