Immediate loading is a protocol in which implants are placed in the jaw and, on the same day (within 72 hours), a fixed — not removable — provisional bridge is attached to them. You leave the clinic with teeth, eat soft food that evening, and after 3–6 months of healing receive the permanent bridge.
It suits most people who are missing many teeth, whose denture will not stay put, or whose teeth cannot be saved — provided there is enough bone for the implants to be stable on day one. The exam and the CT scan decide.
How is immediate loading different from a “regular” implant?
In the classic (delayed-loading) protocol the implants are buried in the bone and covered by gum, you get a temporary removable denture, and only after 3–6 months are the implants uncovered and built on. With immediate loading the implants receive a screw-retained provisional bridge on the day of surgery. The secret is primary stability: when several implants are joined by a rigid bridge they brace each other and do not move during healing.
| Immediate loading | Delayed loading | |
|---|---|---|
| Teeth on the day of surgery | Yes — fixed provisional bridge | No — removable denture or nothing |
| Time to permanent restoration | 3–6 months | 4–9 months |
| Number of surgeries | One (usually) | Two (placement + uncovering) |
| Bone requirement | Good primary stability | More flexible |
| Diet during healing | Soft, nothing hard to bite | Depends on the temporary denture |
The protocols
4
All-on-4
Four implants per jaw, the two rear ones tilted — bypassing the sinus and the nerve and using existing bone. The most common solution for an edentulous jaw.
6
All-on-6
Six implants per jaw — more support points, better load distribution. Recommended when there is enough bone, and in the upper jaw.
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Full-arch rehabilitation
Planning the whole jaw or both: extractions, implants, provisional and permanent bridge — as one system, not a set of procedures.
Treatment day — what actually happens
Preparation
Local anaesthesia (sedation available). You have eaten, you are calm, and you know exactly what is about to happen.
Extractions
Any remaining teeth that cannot be saved are removed gently and the sockets cleaned.
Implant placement
Through the surgical guide planned on the CT: exact position, angle and depth, usually without a wide incision.
Stability check
Every implant is measured. Only when stability is sufficient is same-day loading finally confirmed.
Fitting the provisional bridge
The pre-made bridge is adjusted, screwed onto the implants and balanced in the bite. You go home with teeth.
Afterwards: healing, diet and check-ups
Expect swelling and discomfort in the first week, controlled with ordinary painkillers. Diet in the first months is soft — pasta, fish, eggs, soups — so the implants are not loaded before they fuse. Check-ups after one week, one month and three months — at your clinic, with the same team. After 3–6 months the jaw is scanned digitally and the permanent bridge is made.
Who it suits — and who it does not
Suitable: people missing most or all teeth in a jaw, people whose teeth are lost to gum disease, decay or wear, and people who suffer from a removable denture. Age by itself is not a limitation. Less suitable or needing preparation: very little bone, heavy smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, bisphosphonate therapy or radiation to the area. Full details on the next page.
Frequently asked questions
Do you really leave with teeth the same day?
Yes — with a fixed provisional bridge screwed onto the implants. It is made of reinforced acrylic, looks good and lets you eat soft food. The permanent bridge (zirconia or hybrid) comes after the implants have fused with the bone.
What can I eat after immediate loading?
Soft food in the first months: pasta, fish, eggs, cooked vegetables, soups. No biting into hard things (nuts, crusty bread, steak) until the doctor clears it. This protects the implants while they integrate.
What if on the day of surgery the implants turn out not stable enough?
Then we do not load them that day — we switch to the delayed protocol and provide a different temporary solution. That option is always kept, because loading an unstable implant puts it at risk. It happens in a minority of cases and is explained in advance.
How long does the surgery take?
Two to four hours per jaw, including extractions and fitting the provisional bridge. Two jaws — usually on two close dates or one long day, depending on the case.
Does it hurt?
The surgery is under local anaesthesia (sedation optional) and does not hurt. Afterwards, two or three days of swelling and discomfort controlled with ordinary painkillers. Most patients are pleasantly surprised.
What is the difference between the provisional and the permanent bridge?
The provisional is reinforced acrylic — light, easy to repair, meant for the healing months. The permanent is zirconia or hybrid (titanium + tooth material) — strong, colour-stable, meant for many years.
This information is general and does not replace an examination. The decision to load immediately is made only after a clinical exam and CT scan, and can change on the day of surgery according to the actual stability of the implants.
Want to know if immediate loading is right for you?
A first consultation at any clinic in the network includes an exam, a scan and an explanation of your options — no obligation.