[Health Column] Can You Chew Immediately After Implanting? Understanding Immediate Load Implants Properly

 

 

hello! Dr. Sang Jin-kyu, Chief Director of Seoul Plant Dental Clinic (Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon) It is. 👨‍⚕️

 

 

"I heard that you can't chew anything on that side for a few months after getting the implant. Is that true?" 🤔

 

 

This is a question I hear very often in the consultation room. 🦷

 

Traditional treatments required waiting 3 to 6 months for the bone and implant to fuse, but recently, prosthetics can be attached immediately on the day of implantation or within a few days. 'Immediate subordinate' The method is attracting attention.

 

While they significantly reduce treatment time, are they truly suitable for everyone? Today, I will explain everything about immediate load implants from A to Z. ✨

 

1️⃣ What exactly is an immediate load implant?

This is a treatment method that connects a prosthesis on the same day or within 48 hours without waiting for bone fusion to begin chewing function.

 

existing Delayed load The method involved a waiting period of several months until the implant firmly bonded with the bone.

 

the other side immediate load Connect the temporary or final prosthesis on the day of implantation, or as early as within 48 hours.

 

📌 How is it different from 'immediate implantation'?

· Immediate implantation — Planting an implant like a root on the same day of tooth extraction
· Immediate load — Applying chewing force (load) directly to the implanted implant

Although the two processes sometimes proceed together, they are strictly different concepts.

 

 

2️⃣ What are the advantages of immediate-load implants?

It significantly reduces the long treatment period, improving quality of life and daily convenience.

 

✔️ Shortening the treatment period
You do not have to endure having empty gums for several months.

 

✔️ Reduction in the number of visits
The burden of having to visit the dentist multiple times is significantly reduced.

 

✔️ Excellent survival rate
If conditions are suitable The long-term follow-up survival rate of over 5 years averages around 97% As such, it is reported that there is no significant difference from the traditional method.

 

🔸 It is especially helpful for people like this.
It can be a practical alternative for edentulous patients with no teeth at all, or for those who find it difficult to go without dentures for extended periods after tooth extraction. 👏

 

 

3️⃣ Are there any precautions or risks of side effects?

If initial fixation is insufficient, bone union may be hindered, increasing the risk of failure.

 

The key is this Initial fixation (primary stability) Success depends on ensuring sufficient bone elasticity and fixation at the moment of implant placement. If the procedure is forced when the quality and quantity of the gum bone are poor, the bonding may be hindered.

 

⚠️ Must-remember checkpoints
In some large-scale studies, there have been cases where the survival rate of immediate loading was significantly lower than that of the traditional method. Rather than making a decision simply because it is 'fast,' Precise diagnosis must precede It must be so. (Systemic health conditions, such as smoking and diabetes, also affect the success rate.)

 

4️⃣ Who is this suitable for, and who should be cautious?

Fit varies depending on the amount and density of the alveolar bone and the location of the chewing force.

 

🟢 Suitable for	🔴 Subjects requiring caution
Those with sufficient bone density and volume at the implant site	In cases of severe bone loss or soft bone quality
Those who can achieve strong initial fixation upon implantation	In cases of severe teeth grinding or clenching habits
People in good overall health	In cases where bone fusion is expected to be difficult due to diabetes, osteoporosis, etc.

 

 

💡 Tips by Body Part
Areas that receive a lot of chewing force, such as molars, require much more careful judgment than the front teeth.

 

5️⃣ What is good to check before starting?

Check the initial fixation status, implant system, and management plan in advance.

 

📌 Initial fixation force — Whether sufficient fixation is ensured during implantation
📌 Dedicated system — Whether the implant used is designed for immediate loading
📌 masticatory force control — How chewing forces are managed and controlled during the temporary prosthesis stage

 

Since the success rate depends on the medical team's precise planning and management, we recommend having a thorough consultation with your doctor. 🩺

 

💬 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Can any product be used for immediate loading implants?

 

A. No. Implants designed with special surface treatments and shapes to facilitate securing initial fixation are advantageous, and feasibility is determined by the condition of the gum bone.

 

Q2. Is it okay to chew hard food immediately after immediate loading therapy?

 

A. No. 🙅‍♂️ Since the prosthesis is in a temporary state initially, chewing force is restricted, but normal eating is possible after the bone and implant have sufficiently fused (osseofusion).

 

Q3. Is it more dangerous to perform immediate loading and immediate implantation together?

 

A. While it is common to perform these procedures together, the precise evaluation of bone condition and initial fixation strength must be even more rigorous. A detailed consultation with a dental specialist is essential.

 

🎯 Conclusion and Summary

Immediate-load implants are an attractive treatment method that significantly reduces treatment time and relieves daily discomfort.

 

However, you should not make a decision based solely on the advantage of being 'fast'. ⚠️

 

📌 A precise diagnosis that comprehensively considers the condition of the gum bone, initial fixation strength, and overall health is essential.

 

📌 During the temporary prosthesis period, you must control your chewing force and strictly follow the precautions.

 

📌 Please consult thoroughly with a specialist to determine if this is the safest and most suitable method for your oral condition. 👨‍⚕️

 

※ This column was written based on relevant clinical research data from Korea and abroad.

 

 

 

 

 

Seoul Plant Dental Clinic

Chief Director Sang Jin-gyu

 

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Certified by the Ministry of Health and Welfare

Certified by the Korean Association of Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Completed training at the Dental Education Institute, Seoul National University Graduate School of Dentistry

International Congress of Implantologists (ICOI) Fellow

Awarded the Grand Prize by the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Korean Dental Association Outstanding Dentist Award

Full member of the International Association of Orthopedic Bone Fusion (AO) and the Association of Craniofacial Meridians (AOCMF).

Korean Academy of Geriatric Dentistry Award for Geriatric Oral Care Specialists

Specializing in immediate placement, immediate loading, and flapless implants

 

 

 

 

Want to read more columns by Director Sang Jin-kyu of Seoul Plant Dental Clinic?

[Health Column] "How many months do I have to wait after a tooth extraction?" Everything about 'Immediate Implants,' implanted on the same day of extraction!