Losing a front tooth is stressful, mostly because nobody wants to walk around with a gap. In the right situation, the failing tooth can be removed and an implant placed in the same visit, often with a temporary crown fitted that day. This is called an immediate implant.

What an immediate implant is

The tooth is removed gently, the implant is placed into the socket straight away, and any small gap around it is filled with bone graft material. In many cases a temporary crown is attached the same day. It is kept slightly out of the bite so the implant can heal undisturbed.

When it is possible

Immediate placement works best when:

  • the tooth is failing because of a fracture, a failed root canal or advanced decay
  • the bone and gum around it are largely healthy
  • there is enough bone beyond the root tip to hold the implant firmly
  • any infection can be fully cleaned out

When waiting is better

If there is significant infection, bone loss or very thin gum, it is usually safer to remove the tooth, let the area heal, sometimes with a bone graft, and place the implant a few months later. A temporary tooth can still be worn in the meantime, so you are not left with a gap.

Why it matters in the smile zone

After a tooth is removed, the bone and gum around it shrink. Placing the implant straight away, with a temporary crown supporting the gum, can help preserve the gum shape that makes a front tooth look natural. It can also mean fewer surgeries. It is not without risk: gum recession can occur, and careful planning with a 3D scan is essential.

The steps

  1. A 3D CBCT scan to check the bone and plan the implant position
  2. Gentle removal of the tooth
  3. Implant placement, with graft material if needed
  4. A temporary crown, kept out of heavy bite
  5. Around three to four months of healing
  6. The final crown, matched to the neighbouring teeth

Aftercare

Avoid biting into hard food with the temporary tooth. Eat soft foods for the first few weeks, keep the area clean as advised, and avoid smoking, which slows healing and raises the risk of failure.

Cost

In Delhi NCR, implants typically start from around ₹50,000. Bone grafting and the temporary crown can add to this, and an exact quote follows the scan.

A case

Shared with the patient's consent. Results vary from person to person.

An immediate implant to replace an upper canine. The after photo was taken on the day the final crown was fitted.

If a front tooth is cracked or failing, it is worth having it assessed early. The sooner the bone and gum are checked, the more likely an immediate implant is to be an option.