Tooth Extraction & Immediate Implant: When Same-Day Placement Works

When a tooth needs to be extracted, the ideal scenario is placing the implant in the same surgical session — one procedure instead of two, less total healing time, and fewer trips to the dentist. Immediate implant placement works well in many cases, but not all. Understanding when it's appropriate (and when delayed placement is safer) helps you plan your treatment and travel timeline.

What Is Immediate Implant Placement?

The tooth is extracted and the implant is placed into the fresh extraction socket in the same appointment. Bone-graft material is packed around the implant to fill any gaps between the implant and the socket walls, and a temporary crown or healing abutment is placed. The entire process takes 30–60 minutes per site.

When It Works

Immediate placement is ideal when there is no active infection at the extraction site, the socket walls are intact (no fractures or significant bone loss), adequate bone exists around the socket to stabilize the implant, and the tooth being extracted isn't severely broken below the bone level.

When to Wait

Delayed placement (3–6 months after extraction) is recommended when there is active infection at the extraction site (the infection needs to clear first), significant bone loss around the tooth (the socket can't stabilize an implant), or a sinus lift or major bone graft is needed at the site.

Socket Preservation

When immediate implant placement isn't possible, socket preservation (also called ridge preservation) is the next best step. After extraction, the socket is filled with bone-graft material and covered with a membrane. This prevents the rapid bone resorption that occurs in empty sockets (30–50% of socket width can be lost in the first 3 months) and preserves bone volume for future implant placement.

Cost in Colombia

Explore Our Colombia Medical Network