Dental Implants in Singapore
Dental implants have come a long way since they were first developed by Professor Branemark in 1965. Today, they can have a success rate of up to 90% when done properly.
What are Dental Implants
Dental implants, sometimes called tooth implants, are artificial structures a dental surgeon inserts into the patient’s jawbone. In recent years, dental implants have become an increasingly popular alternative to conventional dentures and bridges. This is largely because of cost reduction, better education of dentists performing the procedures and more extensive research on dental implants being conducted. Additionally, tooth implants also better mimic one’s natural teeth, potentially offering more comfort compared to other tooth replacement techniques like dentures or bridges.
Structure of a Dental Implant
- The Fixture (Implant): The implant fixture is shaped like a screw and is made from medical-grade titanium. This component is surgically placed into your jawbone to replace the root of your natural teeth.
- The Abutment (Connector): The implant abutment, or connector, is a small piece that attaches to the implant fixture. It connects the fixture to the implant prosthesis (Crown).
- The Prosthesis (Crown): The implant prosthesis is the visible part of the implant, closely resembling the crown of your natural tooth.
When Do I Need a Dental Implant
There are various reasons why dental implants may be necessary. However, it is advised to consult with a professional to ensure that you receive the appropriate treatment for your condition. Here are a few signs that you might need a tooth implant:
If You Have Missing Teeth
Missing teeth can be caused by dental trauma, injury, smoking, or poor dental hygiene. This will create noticeable gaps in your jaw and may lead to self-consciousness about one’s smile.
When Your Denture Is Loose
When your denture is consistently loose, impairing your speech, and causing difficulties in chewing your food or creating social consciousness, it may be time to consider an implant to replace your denture or at least, an implant-supported denture.
When Teeth Are Loose, Cracked, or Broken
Teeth can become loose, cracked, or broken due to accidents, trauma, falls, or accidentally biting down on hard objects. Most damaged teeth can be repaired. However, excessive injury especially when the break occurs below the gum line, often necessitates extraction. In such cases, dental implants provide the best replacement option.
When There is Decay
Severe tooth decay that cannot be treated may require extraction, making dental implants a potential option to restore one’s smile.
If You Experience Difficulty Chewing
Misaligned teeth, missing teeth, ill-fitting dentures, and bridges may impact one’s bite and chewing. This, in turn, may lead to an avoidance of certain foods, impacting one’s nutritional health and overall quality of life. In such cases, dental implants may help anchor removable dentures or replace missing teeth to potentially restore a proper bite.
When Your Speech is Impaired
Many people don’t realise how significantly teeth impact speech. Missing or misaligned teeth can lead to slurring, whistling, lisping and speech impediments, making it hard for others to understand the speaker. In these instances, dental implants that mimic natural teeth may help to restore normal speech patterns.
Stages of Getting a Dental Implant
Consultation
Getting a tooth implant begins with a thorough assessment of your teeth and gums, including evaluating the amount of bone present in your jaw and face to ensure sufficient support for the implant. Your dentist will also assess your overall health before taking X-rays or other imaging scans to determine the best treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Sinus Lift & Bone Grafting
If your jawbone is not thick enough to support the dental implant fixture, you may need bone grafting before you can have dental implant surgery. Your dentist may recommend a natural or synthetic bone graft, depending on your condition. It will take several months for the transplanted bone to heal before implant surgery can be done. However, if the bone grafting is minor, it can be done simultaneously with the implant surgery.
Similarly, if your upper jaw cannot support the implant, you may require a sinus lift. This procedure creates the necessary space for inserting bone grafting material and the dental implant fixture. The lift may be internal or external, depending on how much bone is available. Please consult your dentist to understand the grafting options available to you.
Implant Fixture Procedure
Before placing the implant, the area will be numbed with a local anaesthetic to ensure you are comfortable. Some patients may choose sedation or general anaesthesia to help alleviate anxiety or dental phobia.
If a tooth needs to be removed, this will be done first. You may then have to wait up to three months for the extraction site to heal before your dentist can insert the implant.
The dentist will then place the implant fixture into your jawbone by making a small incision in your gum to expose your bone. A hole will then be drilled into the bone for the implant fixture to be placed. A temporary denture may then be placed to fill the gap while the implant site heals.
Healing & Osseointegration
To ensure the tooth implant is stable, you must wait for the implant site to heal fully. This healing period allows for osseointegration, which is when the implant fuses with the jawbone. Depending on the individual’s healing process and overall health condition, this typically takes 3-6 months.
Placing the Abutment
After osseointegration, you may need additional surgery to insert the abutment which is the piece the dental prosthesis sits on top of. After this surgery, it will take approximately two weeks for your gums to heal before the prosthesis can be attached.
Adding the Prosthesis
The last step is securing the prosthesis, which may be a crown, a bridge or an implant-supported denture. The prosthesis is customised to fit the shape of your mouth and surrounding teeth, ensuring it looks and feels like one of your natural teeth.
Post-Procedure Checkup
Once your dental implants are in place, you will need to visit your dentist approximately every six months. During these check-ups, your dentist will ensure that your dental implants function properly and conduct routine cleaning. Cleaning dental implants requires specialised instruments so as not to scratch the delicate implant surface.
Types of Dental Implant
All-on-4 Dental Implants
These implants are also referred to as teeth-in-a-day, pro arch or full-mouth dental implants and are typically best suited for patients with a row of multiple missing teeth. With this implant type, four to six screws are inserted into the jaw, and a bridge prosthesis is used.
Single Tooth Dental Implants
As the name implies, this option is for the replacement of a single tooth.
Multi Teeth Dental Implants
These dental implants are best suited for patients who require several teeth to be replaced. It provides the added advantage of not relying on adjacent teeth for support.
Metal-Free Dental Implants
Metal-free implants are typically made of ceramic and may be preferred over metal implants for aesthetic reasons. These dental implants may also provide a more natural feel as they have physical properties that are similar to those of a natural tooth and jawbone.
Benefits of Tooth Implants
Feels Like Natural Teeth
Dental implants feel almost exactly like your natural teeth, allowing you to eat, drink, and talk as you normally would. They also let you carry out daily activities with greater ease compared to removable options like dentures or bridges, as they are firmly anchored in your jawbone.
Everyday Convenience
Dental implants offer more convenience as they do not need to be removed and cleaned like removable dentures and bridges. Unlike dentures, implants require no adjustment period, making them easier to adapt to.
Long-Lasting Durability
Dental implants have a high success rate and can last a long time. with adequate care and good oral hygiene. The first implant placed by Dr Seah more than 25 years ago is still functioning in one of Dr Seah’s patient’s mouth.
Protects Neighbouring Teeth
Dental implants prevent neighbouring teeth from being overstrained because they are placed directly into the jawbone. With traditional bridges and dentures, the adjacent teeth are used to provide support for these structures. This may even lead to the teeth being damaged over time and cracked teeth treatment being needed.
Prevents Bone Loss and Shifting Teeth
With dental implants, patients can potentially avoid the issues associated with missing teeth. This includes teeth shifting and the formation of gaps which hinder one’s ability to floss and brush properly therefore leading to cavities, decay and food impaction on eating meat.
Additionally, the absence of a tooth may cause the jawbone and surrounding tissues to undergo atrophy, affecting facial structure and appearance. Implants stimulate jawbone growth, potentially preventing bone loss and gum recession by functioning like a natural tooth root.
Cost of Tooth Implant Procedure
The cost of a dental implant will vary due to factors such as the brand of the implants used, whether using original implant abutments or abutments made by 3rd parties, as well as the experience of the endodontic surgeon. In Singapore, dental implants generally range from $2,500 to $6,000 per implant, which includes the surgery and the dental crown. This does not cover supplementary procedures like bone grafting or tooth extraction.
However, eligible Singaporeans and Permanent Residents may use their Medisave account to offset part of the cost, claiming up to $1250 for a single tooth implant. Additionally, if the patient’s Medisave balance is insufficient, immediate family members may use their Medisave funds to assist with the bill, subject to withdrawal limits.