Dental Implants Singapore

Our teeth can fall out due to trauma, injury or simply old age. Dental implants are considered the gold standard in replacing missing teeth. They fit like natural, lifelike teeth and do not require the need to tamper with or damage neighbouring teeth. Compared to removal dentures and dental bridges, dental implants are considered a lot more desirable as long term harm to neighbouring teeth is minimised.

Dental implants provide support for plant-supported crowns and bridges. These implants come in the form of screws that are inserted into your jawbone or titanium posts. In Singapore, single tooth implants are often recommend for those who have lost a tooth due to traumatic injury or advanced decay.

Getting dental implants is not as complicated as many think, especially when performed by an experienced doctor in Singapore.

Upon consultation, your dentist will consider the following:

• Overall suitability of dental implants
• Overall complexity of your case
• The size of your missing teeth gaps and whether there are dental implants or tooth implants that are suitable
• The health of your gums and jaw bone — can they reliably support dental implants?
• The volume of the bone surrounding the affected area
• Presence of blood vessels, nerves and sinuses in the area
• Health risk factors — do you have conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and cardiac conditions?
• Other unique patient factors

A series of X rays and scans will then be taken to assess potential implant sites. During dental implant surgery, the dental implant is inserted into your jaw bone. In some cases, bone grafting or gum grafting can be done at the implant site. Once the bone and gum around the dental implant have healed (usually 3 to 6 months), the abutment and crown are fitted into the dental implant to replace the real tooth or missing teeth. Any remaining tooth will be removed.

The dental implant surgery steps in Singapore are as follows:

• Local anaesthetic will be used to numb the area or dental implant site.
• An incision is made in your gums, exposing the bone.
• The bone will be drilled to create space for the dental implant.
• The dental implant will be screwed in place.
• The gums will be closed over the dental implant (May require stitches)
• The healing process post dental implant surgery (May take up to 5 months)

Abutment placement steps:

• The gum is reopened to expose the implant.
• The abutment is attached to the implant.
• The gum is closed around the abutment.
• The healing process (2 weeks)

• Natural Looking: Dental implants look like your natural teeth and can easily replace missing teeth.
• Comfort: Dental implants feel like your natural teeth, they do not need to be removed like dentures.
• Eating: Even with dental implants on, there are no issues with eating, unlike with dentures which may move.
• Durability: Dental implants are very durable and may even be able to last a lifetime with proper care.
• Convenience: Dental implants eliminate the need inconvenience of removable dentures!
• Boost your self confidence: Dental implants are a great tooth replacement option and boost your self image and confidence.

To make sure your dental implants last as long as possible, always practice good oral hygiene and go for regular dental checkups. Avoid smoking and biting on hard substances.

Some post-surgery discomfort includes swelling of the gums, minor bleeding, bruising of the skin and gums and pain at the implant area. However, these will subside after a while.

Side effects and complications of dental implant surgery are rare, but if they occur, they include:

• Failure to fuse the dental implant with the bone.
• Infection around the area of the dental implant.
• The body rejects the dental implant.
• Bone loss around the dental implant.
• Nerve damage due to drilling or dental implant placement.

Dental implants may be suitable for patients with one or more missing teeth and have badly diseased teeth. The patient, however, has to have healthy gums and must not have other health conditions that may affect post-surgical healing.

Dental implants are known to provide several benefits over teeth replacement options like a bridge. For one, dental implants are able to replace missing teeth without compromising the health of surrounding teeth.

A bridge, on the other hand, requires that the adjacent teeth be grinded down to provide support for the bridge.

A dental implant also preserves bone better since it osseointegrates with the jawbone, keeping the bone healthy and intact.

In Singapore, a dental implant costs $2,500-$6,000. The cost will vary depending on the condition of your teeth, tooth root, bone grafts needed, type of treatment plan drafted out by your dentist, skill and experience of your dentist and quality of his/her dental practices.

While there is no age limit for dental implant procedures, the ideal candidate for a dental implant surgery is someone in good general health and with good oral health. The best candidates are those with healthy gum tissues and free of periodontal disease. Patients must have adequate jaw to support the implant.