Losing a tooth can feel like losing a piece of yourself, and the thought of going months without a complete smile while waiting for a restoration to be finished can make an already difficult situation feel even heavier. Same-day dental implants, often called “teeth in a day,” change that story entirely by placing a titanium implant and a provisional restoration in a single appointment, so you walk out looking and feeling whole.
At Ocean Breeze Implant & Esthetic Dentistry in Delray Beach, Dr. Nicholas Goetz brings a level of precision and advanced training to same-day implant procedures that is genuinely rare. As one of approximately 150 maxillofacial prosthodontists practicing in the United States today, Dr. Goetz understands that every implant placed is not just a clinical decision but a life-changing one. He and his team are here to guide you through every step, from your very first question to the final, beautiful result.
“Teeth in a day” refers to immediate implant placement. In this protocol, a dental implant is placed directly into the extraction socket on the same day a tooth is removed, or into a site already prepared for a new implant. Rather than waiting three to six months for the bone to heal before placing an implant, the implant is inserted immediately. In many cases, a temporary tooth is attached the same day, so you leave the office with a functional, natural-looking restoration.
It is worth understanding what “same day” actually means in this context. The phrase refers to the completion of the surgical and provisional restorative work within a single appointment. The implant still undergoes the natural process of osseointegration, the biological bonding of the titanium post to your jawbone, over the following weeks and months. Once that process is complete, your final, permanent restoration is placed, giving you a result built to last a lifetime.
Not every patient qualifies for same-day implant placement, and the evaluation process is critical to achieving a successful outcome. Candidacy depends on several interconnected factors, including bone density, the health of the surrounding gum tissue, and the reason for tooth loss. Patients with active infection, significant bone loss, or certain systemic health conditions may need preparatory treatment before an immediate implant can be considered.
At Ocean Breeze, that evaluation begins with CBCT scanning technology at our digital dentistry center in Delray Beach. A cone-beam CT scan produces a three-dimensional image of the jawbone and surrounding structures, giving Dr. Goetz a precise, layered view of bone volume, nerve positioning, and tissue quality at the implant site. This level of detail enables planning the procedure with precision before a single incision is made, reducing guesswork and supporting more predictable outcomes.
Specialized prosthodontic treatments to restore function and beauty with financing options for complex dental care.
The journey to teeth in a day begins well before the day of surgery. During your consultation, Dr. Goetz reviews your imaging, discusses your goals, and creates a treatment plan designed around your specific anatomy. From there, the day of your procedure follows a structured, carefully coordinated sequence.
If a tooth is being removed, the extraction is performed with precision to preserve as much of the surrounding bone as possible. Maintaining the integrity of the socket walls is important because the implant will be placed directly in that space. Patients who have already lost a tooth and have a healed site will have their bone evaluated and prepared differently to ensure the implant has a stable, healthy foundation.
Once the site is ready, the titanium implant post is placed into the jawbone. Dr. Goetz’s training as a maxillofacial prosthodontist means he approaches this step with both the surgical precision of an implant provider and the restorative vision of a prosthodontic professional. This combination directly influences how the final tooth will look, feel, and function. Achieving primary stability, meaning the implant is securely anchored with enough resistance to support a provisional tooth, is essential for the immediate loading protocol to move forward.
If primary stability is confirmed and all clinical criteria are met, a temporary crown or bridge is attached to the implant the same day. This provisional restoration allows you to eat, speak, and smile with confidence while osseointegration takes place. It is designed to carry minimal chewing load during healing, protecting the implant and allowing the bone to integrate with the post fully over time.
After the healing period, typically a few months, Dr. Goetz places the permanent restoration. Dental implant crowns at Ocean Breeze are crafted with meticulous attention to shade, shape, and bite alignment, reflecting Dr. Goetz’s foundational belief that a truly successful restoration is one the patient never has to think about again.
The question of when to place an implant is one of the most consequential decisions in restorative care. When a tooth is lost, the jawbone in that area begins to resorb, meaning it gradually shrinks in response to the absence of the stimulation a tooth root would normally provide. Research published in the National Library of Medicine examining immediate versus delayed implant placement found comparable survival rates between the two approaches when immediate placement was performed under appropriate clinical conditions, affirming that well-selected candidates can achieve excellent long-term outcomes with the same-day protocol.
Beyond preserving more bone volume during extraction, the immediate placement of dental implants offers a significant psychological advantage. Patients are spared the months of distress associated with a gap in their smile. Maintaining a consistent appearance plays a key role in boosting many people’s confidence and overall quality of life throughout their recovery.
For patients who have experienced more extensive tooth loss, teeth-in-a-day may be part of a full-arch dental implant solution. Full arch protocols use strategically placed implants to support a complete upper or lower restoration, and the same principle of immediate loading can apply when clinical conditions allow. This means patients undergoing full arch treatment can often walk out of the office on the day of surgery with a fully functional, aesthetically pleasing smile already in place.
Dr. Goetz has advanced training to evaluate which patients are appropriate candidates for immediate loading in full-arch cases, and his use of CBCT imaging and careful presurgical planning support outcomes that hold up beautifully over time. For patients seeking implant-supported dentures or a more comprehensive smile reconstruction, Ocean Breeze offers a full range of restorative options tailored to each patient’s needs and goals.
Recovery from same-day implant surgery is generally well-tolerated. Most patients experience some swelling, tenderness, and minor discomfort in the days following the procedure, all of which are normal parts of the healing process. Dr. Goetz and his team provide thorough post-operative guidance, including dietary recommendations to protect the provisional restoration while osseointegration progresses.
Patients are advised to follow a soft-food diet during healing, avoid putting excessive pressure on the implant site, and keep their follow-up appointments so Dr. Goetz can monitor bone integration and the condition of the temporary restoration. These check-ins are not just routine; they are part of a care philosophy built around the long view, ensuring each implant reaches its full intended potential before the permanent crown is placed.
For patients with more complex restorative histories, or those who are also addressing issues like gum disease or bone deficiency alongside their implant treatment, Ocean Breeze takes a comprehensive approach to care. Dr. Goetz coordinates each phase of treatment with the full picture of your oral health in mind, which is part of what makes the outcomes at this practice so consistently lasting. A full mouth reconstruction may be the right path for patients whose needs go beyond a single implant, and Dr. Goetz will walk you through every available option at your consultation.
There is a reason patients from across South Florida trust Dr. Nicholas Goetz with their implant care. As a Florida native who completed all of his dental training at the University of Florida, followed by a prestigious fellowship at UCLA and service as a civilian maxillofacial prosthodontist for the U.S. Army and VA Medical Hospital, Dr. Goetz brings a breadth of experience to every truly uncommon procedure. His philosophy centers on doing things right the first time, using precision, advanced technology, and a genuine investment in each patient’s outcome to create results built to last.
Ocean Breeze Implant & Esthetic Dentistry is located in Delray Beach and serves patients throughout Palm Beach County and the surrounding communities. If you are ready to learn whether same-day dental implants are right for you, we invite you to take the first step. Reach out to our team today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Goetz and discover what is possible when precision meets care.
If you’re ready to reclaim your confidence, we’re here for you.
Get started by booking or calling today.
**Requested time is not final until you receive confirmation from our office. Please do not submit any Protected Health Information (PHI).
"*" indicates required fields
