Can I Get a Dental Implant the Same Day as Extraction?

Yes, in many cases we can place a dental implant the same day a tooth is extracted. Called immediate implant placement, it works best when you have healthy bone, no active infection, and good overall health. At La Mirada One Dental, we use CBCT 3D imaging to confirm you're a candidate before combining both visits.

This is one of the most common questions we hear in the chair. A patient looks at a cracked molar or a failing front tooth and asks, "Can you just pull it and put the implant in today?" Sometimes the answer is yes. Sometimes we recommend waiting. The honest version of that conversation is what this post is about.

A 52-year-old dad from the neighborhoods off Imperial Highway came in last spring with a fractured upper premolar. He had a wedding to attend in six weeks and dreaded showing up with a gap. After a CBCT scan and a careful look at his bone, we extracted the tooth and placed his implant the same morning. He walked out with a healing abutment, a temporary solution, and a clear plan for the final crown.

What does "same-day implant" actually mean?

Immediate implant placement means the implant post is placed into the fresh extraction socket during the same visit the tooth comes out. One surgery instead of two. One numbing session. One recovery.

It does not always mean you leave with a permanent tooth that day. That part gets confused often. The titanium implant body fuses to bone over the following months, a process called osseointegration. According to ADA patient education on dental implants, this typically takes 3 to 6 months before a final crown can be loaded.

Sometimes we can place a temporary crown the same day too, which is called immediate loading. That decision depends on bite forces, bone density, and which tooth we're working with. The permanent crown almost always comes later.

Who is a good candidate for immediate implant placement?

Good candidates usually share four traits:

• Adequate bone volume around the socket so the implant has something solid to anchor into

• No active infection or abscess at the site

• Healthy gum tissue and stable overall health

• A favorable tooth position, often a single-rooted front tooth or premolar

Front teeth tend to be more predictable for same-day placement than molars. Molars have multiple roots and leave a wider socket, which can make initial implant stability trickier. Not impossible. Just more case-by-case.

When do we recommend waiting instead?

Sometimes the better answer is two appointments. Here's when:

• Active infection. According to AAOMS clinical guidance, active infection at the extraction site is a relative contraindication to immediate placement. We let the socket heal first, usually 6 to 8 weeks.

• Significant bone loss. If the surrounding bone is too thin, we may need a graft before placing the implant.

• Healing concerns. Smoking is associated with higher implant failure rates per ADA and peer-reviewed implant literature. Uncontrolled diabetes is another flag.

• Aesthetic risk zones. In some front-tooth cases, a staged approach actually produces a better gum line.

Typical wait time when we delay is 3 to 6 months. That sounds long. It usually isn't, and the result is worth it.

What are the benefits and trade-offs of same-day placement?

The case for combining the visits is strong when criteria are met. A Cochrane Review on the timing of implant placement notes that immediate placement can help preserve alveolar bone volume compared with delayed placement after extraction. Less bone shrinkage means a more natural-looking final result.

Other benefits:

• One surgical visit instead of two

• Shorter total treatment timeline

• Less time without a tooth

• Often lower combined cost

Trade-offs are real but manageable. Immediate placement is more technique-sensitive. Case selection matters. The good news: peer-reviewed implant literature, including studies in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, shows survival rates for immediate implants in fresh sockets are comparable to delayed placement when patients are well selected. That's the whole point of the planning visit.

What does the same-day implant visit look like at La Mirada One Dental?

We don't guess. Every implant case starts with a CBCT 3D scan, which the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology has endorsed as improving accuracy of implant planning over 2D radiographs. The scan shows us bone width, bone height, sinus position, and nerve location in three dimensions.

From there, a typical same-day visit looks like this:

• Review the scan and confirm you're a candidate

• Numb the area thoroughly. Comfort matters here.

• Gentle extraction using techniques that preserve the socket walls

• Implant placement into the prepared site, with a bone graft around it if needed

• Healing abutment or temporary placed on top

• Detailed aftercare instructions and follow-up scheduled

Most patients are surprised by how manageable the recovery is. Soft foods for a few days. Saltwater rinses. Back to normal life quickly.

We see patients for this procedure from across La Mirada, Cerritos, Norwalk, Whittier, and Santa Fe Springs. Staff and students from Biola University often book around their schedules, and Interstate 5 makes the drive simple from almost every direction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a same-day implant hurt more than waiting?

Not usually. Because we combine the extraction and implant placement into one numbing session, most patients report recovery similar to a routine extraction. Mild soreness for a few days, controlled with over-the-counter pain relievers, is typical. We follow up to make sure you're healing comfortably.

How long until I get the permanent crown after a same-day implant?The final crown is usually placed 3 to 6 months after implant surgery. That window allows osseointegration, where the bone fuses to the implant. In some front-tooth cases, we may attach a temporary crown the same day for aesthetics, but the permanent restoration comes after full healing.

Can I eat normally after immediate implant placement?

Plan on soft foods for the first 5 to 7 days. Think eggs, yogurt, pasta, soup, mashed potatoes. Avoid chewing directly on the implant site until cleared. Most patients return to a normal diet within two weeks, with full chewing function once the final crown is placed.

What's the success rate of immediate vs. delayed implants?

When patients are properly selected, peer-reviewed studies show immediate implant placement has long-term survival rates comparable to delayed placement, often above 95 percent. The key is case selection. That's why the CBCT scan and exam matter so much before we recommend a same-day approach.

Will my insurance or membership plan cover same-day implants?

Coverage depends on your plan. Most PPOs we accept contribute toward the extraction, implant, and crown separately. Our in-house membership plan offers discounts on implant procedures for patients without traditional insurance. We're happy to verify your benefits before treatment so you know the numbers upfront.

If you're weighing extraction and implant options, we'd love to help you think it through. Call La Mirada One Dental at (562) 777-1234 to schedule a consultation. Dr. Park will review your scan, walk you through your options, and give you a straight answer about whether same-day placement is right for you.