Yes — in many cases, we can remove a failing tooth and place a dental implant in the same appointment. It's called an immediate dental implant, and at Kanaka Creek Family Dental in Maple Ridge it has become one of the most common ways we replace a tooth that can't be saved.
The honest answer, though, has a second half: it isn't right for every tooth or every patient. Here's how same-day implant placement actually works, who qualifies, and when a slower, staged approach is the smarter choice.
What Is an Immediate Dental Implant?
An immediate dental implant means the titanium implant post is placed into the socket right after the tooth is extracted — in one visit, under one round of anesthetic. A traditional (staged) implant instead lets the extraction site heal for several months before the implant is placed in a second surgery.
In many front-tooth cases we can also attach a temporary crown the same day, so you never walk around with a gap while the implant heals underneath.
How Same-Day Implant Placement Works
1. 3D planning first. Every case starts with a CBCT 3D scan so we can measure your bone, map nerves and sinuses, and decide — before anything happens — whether immediate placement is safe and predictable for you.
2. Gentle extraction. The failing tooth is removed as carefully as possible to preserve the bone around the socket. That bone is exactly what the implant needs.
3. Implant placement. The implant goes into the fresh socket at the same visit and is checked for a rock-solid initial grip in the bone (what dentists call primary stability). Sedation options are available if you'd like to be more relaxed.
4. Healing, then the final crown. Over roughly 3–4 months the implant fuses with your jawbone. Then we scan it with our Primescan digital scanner and make your permanent crown with our in-house CEREC system.
Immediate vs. Traditional Implant: What's the Difference for You?
| Immediate (same-day) | Traditional (staged) | |
|---|---|---|
| Surgeries | One | Two (extraction, then implant later) |
| Typical total time to final crown | About 3–4 months | Often 9–12 months |
| Gap while healing | Often none — temporary tooth same day (front teeth) | Months with a gap, flipper, or temporary denture |
| Bone & gum shape | Better preserved — the implant supports the socket right away | Bone can shrink while the site sits empty; grafting sometimes needed |
| Best for | Failing tooth with healthy surrounding bone | Long-missing teeth, major bone loss, severe infection |
Who Qualifies for a Same-Day Implant?
You're often a strong candidate if the tooth is failing but the bone around it is still healthy — think cracked teeth, teeth with failed root canals, or teeth broken below the gumline. There should be no aggressive active infection, enough bone beyond the root tip to grip the implant on day one, and you should be in reasonably good health (heavy smoking significantly lowers implant success).
A staged approach is usually safer when the tooth has been gone a long time and bone has already shrunk, when severe gum disease has damaged the site, or when the socket sits very close to a nerve or sinus. In those cases, bone grafting and a traditional implant timeline protect the long-term result — and if several teeth are involved, All-on-4 full-arch implants can still often be placed in a single day.
The only way to know which group you're in is a 3D scan. That's why we include one free with an implant consultation — you can learn more about same-day implants here or take our 60-second candidate quiz on that page.
Does It Hurt? What's Recovery Like?
Most patients are surprised: recovery from an immediate implant is often milder than a plain extraction, because the implant and the grafting material we place around it help stabilize the socket. A day or two of over-the-counter ibuprofen is typical, and most people are back to work the next day. Long term, implants are one of dentistry's most reliable treatments, with success rates above 95% at ten years when properly placed and maintained.
Same-Day Implant FAQs
- Do I get my permanent tooth the same day?
You get the implant — and often a temporary crown — the same day. The permanent crown comes after the implant has fused with your bone (about 3–4 months). The temporary means you're never without a tooth in the meantime.
- Is a same-day implant riskier than waiting?
Not when the case is chosen correctly. Placed in the right conditions, immediate implants succeed at rates comparable to staged implants — and they preserve bone and gum shape better. The key is honest case selection on a 3D scan, including knowing when NOT to do it.
- What if my tooth was pulled months or years ago?
You can still get an implant — it just follows the staged path, sometimes with bone grafting first to rebuild what shrank while the site was empty. It's one of the reasons we suggest not waiting too long after an extraction.
- How much does it cost?
It varies with the tooth, the bone, and the type of crown — a single implant with a crown typically runs $3,000–$6,000. You'll get a written plan with exact pricing at your consultation, and financing and insurance (including CDCP) can offset the cost.
- Can I be sedated for the procedure?
Yes. Local anesthetic is enough for most patients, but sedation options are available if dental visits make you anxious.
Ready to find out if you qualify? Visit our immediate dental implants page for the 60-second candidate quiz, or book your free consultation + 3D scan today.