For anyone who has gone for surgery, that feeling of butterflies flapping in the stomach is all too familiar. Surgery, regardless of the gravity of the reason behind it, will always cause nerves. That is why it is essential to get assurances that the right decision has been recommended by our advisor. It does not matter whether that advisor is a highly paid Harley Street surgeon, a New York emergency room doctor or a local Lincolnshire dentist, we still want assurances that the surgery is necessary, will work and is safe.

So when it comes to the quick option, and getting surgery done within a day, there are many of us who will squint in cynicism, believing that the speed of the procedure comes at the expense of quality and accuracy. It is only natural since in every other area in life, the fast option is not considered the best. For examples, think of fast food versus a Sunday roast or painting by numbers as opposed to true art.

However, fast does not always mean lower quality. When it comes to same day dental implants, their assessments and procedures are subject to the same standards of dentistry that the orthodox procedures are, and usually it is the same dentist that carries out the two types of surgery. In fact, for any cosmetic dental treatment, there are very stringent rules by which UK dentists must abide. This fact alone has resulted in many people trusting their dentist enough to take the fast option.

It should be pointed out that getting an implant done in just one day is not always the best option, and should not be considered purely for the sake of convenience. But it is an effective solution to immediate problems. In some cases, a lengthy wait is not really necessary, or perhaps not possible. For example, a person may have had an accident resulting in the loss of several teeth. It may be possible to replace the teeth with implants straight away, rather than wait for the gums to heal and then insert implants. The wait alone can be a lost opportunity, and can lower the confidence and the recovery time of a patient.

With regards an unnecessary wait, a good example is when someone wants to have their dentures permanently fixed. Attaching them to implants will allow that to be the case, but because the rules for denture wearers, where hard foods must be avoided, are already established the risks of an unsuccessful transplant are minimal.

The key difference between a traditional procedure and a same day procedure is the waiting period between the insertion of the implant and the attachment of the crown. Normally, a period of 4 to 6 months is given to allow the bone to re-grow around the implant, thereby making it more secure. After that, the crowns are attached and another period of healing and careful monitoring follows. With the same day procedure, the implant comes with a temporary crown and a month later the permanent one is attached.

Opting for implants in just one day is not to be taken lightly, as there are always implications and risks involved in any type of surgery. Of course, any cosmetic dental procedure must be viewed seriously. Even teeth whitening techniques, for example, which involve laser and chemical treatments that can cause pain, should not be carried out without first being fully assessed by a dentist. Results can be very different between the different whitening systems that are available, and before the best option for any individual can be known, the oral condition of a patient needs to be ascertained.

With the growth in cosmetic dental treatments, further investment in procedural and treatment research has taken place, resulting in faster and more effective methods. It does not matter whether it is for same day dental implants, tooth extractions, tooth realignment or even procedures to whiten teeth. The fact is that rules, regulations and professional standards of the highest caliber are all application in UK dentistry.

So, if your local Lincolnshire dentist says it is a good idea to go for the one day surgery, then the advice can be taken on board. The final decision is still down to the individual, of course.