Are a one-day implant and an immediate implant the same thing?
The terms are used similarly, but they do not mean exactly the same thing. “One-day implant” is used by different clinics to mean different things: placement on the day of extraction, a temporary tooth on the same day, or placing several implants at once. That is why, in consultation, I explain “when the implant is placed” and “when the tooth goes on” separately.
| Approach | When it is placed | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate placement | On the day of extraction | One fewer surgery; the strictest conditions |
| Early placement | 4–8 weeks after extraction | The gum has healed, so it is easier to cover; the bone has not fully filled in yet |
| Delayed placement | 3–6 months or more after extraction | Placed after the bone has filled in; bone width may shrink in the meantime |
| Immediate loading (same-day temporary tooth) | Temporary tooth attached on the day of placement | Only when stability is sufficient; a temporary tooth that is not used for chewing |
Who can get an immediate implant?
It works for people whose bone and infection status at the extraction site are good enough that the implant is firmly fixed the moment it is placed. I check the conditions below one by one on the CT images.
- No acute infection with pus (with chronic infection, it is sometimes possible after the area is thoroughly cleaned out)
- The thin bone wall on the outer side of the root (buccal bone) remains
- There is enough bone beyond the root tip to hold the implant
- The gum is not too thin (especially important for front teeth)
- No smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, or severe teeth grinding
Front teeth have a single root, so the conditions are relatively often met, but molars have several roots and leave a large socket when extracted, so immediate placement is often difficult.
What are the advantages and limits of an immediate implant?
It can reduce the number of surgeries and the waiting period, but forcing it when the conditions are not right can actually make the result worse.
| Advantages | Limits |
|---|---|
| Extraction and placement are done at once, so there is one fewer surgery | If initial stability is weak, there is a risk the implant will not bond with the bone |
| The waiting period after extraction (usually several months) is shorter | If the bone wall is thin, the gum may later recede and the neck of the front tooth may show through |
| Less time spent with a missing tooth | A bone graft is often needed in the gap between the implant and the socket |
The purpose of immediate placement is not to finish quickly, but to save one surgery when the conditions are right. If the conditions are not right, waiting 4–8 weeks before placing the implant gives a more stable result.
Can I also get a temporary tooth on the day of extraction?
A same-day temporary tooth is attached only when the implant is firmly fixed from the start. In that case, the temporary tooth is lowered so the upper and lower teeth do not touch, keeping chewing forces off it while the bone bonds. If stability is not enough, nothing is attached to the implant, and the gap is covered with a temporary device bonded to the neighboring teeth or a removable one. For front teeth, this process directly affects the result of a front tooth implant.
How we do it at Wonjin Dental
At Wonjin Dental, before extracting a tooth we check the thickness of the bone wall and the bone below the root tip with panoramic and three-dimensional (CT) images, and explain which of immediate, early, or delayed placement is right for you. If a bone graft is needed, a simple bone graft adds ₩150,000 and a complex bone graft adds ₩300,000, and a temporary tooth is ₩100,000. Implants are chosen from Osstem SA, BA, and SOI, and the prices are on All treatment fees. What we look at so you do not lose a front tooth again is summarized in How to keep a front tooth implant from failing again.
Frequently asked questions
If an immediate implant is not possible, when is it placed after extraction?
It is placed 4–8 weeks later once the gum has healed, or, if a lot of bone is missing, 3–6 months after a bone graft. Leaving the gap empty too long can shrink the bone width and make a larger bone graft necessary.
Does an immediate implant also need time for the bone to bond?
Yes. Only the placement date moves earlier; bonding with the bone usually takes 2–3 months in the lower jaw and 3–6 months in the upper jaw, and the final crown goes on after that.
Can several implants be placed in one day?
If your bone and general health allow, several implants can be placed at once. However, the surgery takes longer and the swelling is greater, so we decide together whether to split it up.
