Teeth-in-an-Hour™ Dental Implants in Fairhope, AL

For patients who have lost teeth or who anticipate the need to have teeth extracted, dental implants represent one of the most comfortable, secure, and permanent solutions. One drawback to dental implants is that each implant, or artificial root, must fully fuse with the underlying jawbone, adequately healing before a replacement tooth can be added. This process may take several weeks, even multiple months.

A groundbreaking process called TEETH-IN-AN-HOUR™ changes all of that, creating a way for patients to have dental implants and temporary replacement teeth added at the same time. Minto Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is pleased to offer this treatment option to our patients in the Fairhope, AL area.

What is Teeth in an Hour?

Teeth in an Hour is an advanced concept that allows patients with dental implants to have just a single procedure, one that typically takes no more than an hour. By contrast, more conventional dental implant procedures may take multiple procedures spanning several weeks.

The Teeth in an Hour process involves close collaboration between an oral surgeon and a restorative dentist. Together, they work to develop a precise tooth replacement that is customized to meet the patient’s needs. The combined experience of the oral surgeon and the reconstructive dentist ensures patient safety, but also guarantees a more exact implant placement.

For Teeth in an Hour, the fabrication of the artificial replacement tooth is completed before the surgery itself. The implant and artificial tooth are then placed with the use of computer-guided methodologies.

The patient benefits from implants in several ways, including an easier recovery time that involves less pain, less bruising, and less swelling. In fact, most patients are ready to head back to their normal school or work activities within 24 hours after their procedure.

Am I a Good Candidate for Teeth in an Hour?

If you have lost teeth or anticipate having teeth extracted, you will need to consider your options for replacing those teeth. For many patients, the most advantageous solution is to get dental implants, which tend to be more comfortable and secure than dentures and allow you to continue eating your favorite foods without trouble.

As you prepare to get dental implants placed, you may wish to consider Teeth in an Hour, which ensures that you have a temporary replacement tooth until your permanent restorations are ready.

Generally speaking, we recommend Teeth in an Hour for patients who meet the following criteria:

• They simply need a single tooth replaced, as opposed to multiple teeth.
• They have sufficient bone tissue left.
• They are willing to comply with some dietary and lifestyle restrictions in order to preserve their temporary replacement tooth.

If you have any questions about your eligibility for Teeth in an Hour, we welcome you to contact Minto Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at your next opportunity.

What are the Pros and Cons of Getting Teeth in an Hour?

Getting same-day dental implants may seem highly appealing and not without reason. Same-day implants allow you to restore your smile almost immediately. If you are someone who dreads having a missing tooth for any amount of time, Teeth in an Hour might make a lot of sense.

The one significant drawback to these same-day replacement teeth is that they are very limited in their functionality. Unlike your permanent replacement teeth, which will allow you to enjoy all your favorite foods without the need for major lifestyle adjustments, Teeth in an Hour restoration will require vigilance. Specifically, you will need to ensure you do not do anything or eat anything that causes your implants to shift; non-compliance may compromise the implants and require the need for a corrective follow-up procedure.

Specifically, patients who get Teeth in an Hour will need to stick to soft or liquid-based diets until their permanent replacement teeth are ready. That is, you will need to avoid hard or crunchy foods (think nuts, hard candies, or raw carrots) for six to eight weeks.

Does Teeth in an Hour Hurt?

One of the most common questions we get about the Teeth in an Hour process is whether or not it will be painful. At Minto Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, we are committed to keeping all of our patients as comfortable as possible at all times. In pursuit of this goal, we offer sedation options to eliminate pain and potentially leave you without any memory of the procedure itself. We will make certain that you have the level of sedation necessary for a pain-free Teeth in an Hour procedure.

Following the placement of dental implants, some temporary pain and swelling can be anticipated. Dr. Minto can provide a prescription for pain relief, along with recommendations for OTC options.

Recovery from Teeth in an Hour

Any discomfort caused by the Teeth in an Hour process should clear up within the first seven to 10 days. Most patients will want to take at least a couple of days to rest and relax following the process before they head back to work.

For implants to fully heal, it may take eight weeks or more. Once the implants have fully fused with the underlying bone, you will be ready for a follow-up appointment to have the temporary replacement tooth removed and a permanent replacement put into place.

Schedule Your Consultation

Get fully functioning teeth in a single procedure, today! Schedule a consultation with Dr. Minto by calling us at (251) 319-7710.