There have been rapid developments in dental implant treatment protocols to reduce the time between implant placement and restoration. Implants may be placed immediately following tooth extraction or following a period of healing to allow resolution of residual infection or sufficient bone and soft tissue healing. Early restoration and loading of implants has to be carefully controlled to avoid increased failure and complications. Advantages and disadvantages of the various techniques are described.
Clinical relevance: The clinician should adopt a treatment protocol that ensures a high success rate and a long-term functional and aesthetic implant restoration. Rapid treatment protocols can be considered when they do not compromise these goals, and the clinician is sufficiently experienced in their application.