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Have you ever wondered what happens when someone loses a tooth and how dentists fix it? Dental implants are widely regarded as one of the most effective and durable solutions for replacing missing teeth. So What is this process about and how does it benefit us?, Lets dive into it to find out more!
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are screws that resembles the roots of natural teeth, typically made of titanium, that are surgically placed into the jawbone. They provide a stable foundation for tooth like restoration such as crowns, bridges, or dentures. These artificial teeth are made in such a way it rises up from the gums identical to neighbouring teeth.
Over time, the implant screw fuses with the jawbone through a process called "osseointegration", ensuring long-term stability and functionality of the implant procedure.
Do you know what material are dental implants made of ? Dental implants are made of highly durable and biocompatible materials to ensure safety, functionality, and longevity.
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The Effect of Missing Tooth Space
1) Shifting of Teeth
Teeth depend on each other for support, and when one is lost, the neighbouring teeth can shift into the empty space. This movement can result in misalignment, causing teeth to become crooked or crowded, which makes proper cleaning more challenging. Additionally, the misalignment can lead to an uneven bite, where the upper jaw teeth grows downwards into the missing space causing discomfort or difficulty while chewing.
2) Bone Resorption
The root of a tooth plays a vital role in stimulating the jawbone, keeping it strong and healthy. When a tooth is missing, the lack of stimulation causes the jaw bone in the empty socket to shrink over time, a process known as bone resorption. This gradual or severe bone loss can also lead to changes in facial structure, resulting in a sunken or aged appearance. Usually, upper jawbone resorb more than lower jawbone causing change in jawbone structure. This change in jawbone structure leads to bite changes as well.
3) Gum Disease and Potential Issues
The empty space left by a missing tooth can expose your gums to potential issues, such as irritation from trapped food particles and debris, which may cause discomfort or inflammation. Additionally, the area becomes harder to clean, increasing the risk of plaque buildup and gum disease.
4) Difficulty in Chewing and Speaking
Missing teeth can impact your ability in chewing functions and speaking clearly. The gap can make it difficult to eat certain foods, which may lead to poor nutrition. Additionally, missing front teeth can affect pronunciation, making it harder to speak properly.
5) Strain on Remaining Teeth
When a tooth is missing, the remaining teeth must work harder to compensate for the gap, leading to increased wear and tear, which can cause faster deterioration or fractures. This extra pressure also makes the surrounding teeth more vulnerable to decay or damage.
6) Aesthetic Concerns
Missing teeth can significantly affect your appearance, as visible gaps in your smile may lower your confidence and make you self-conscious about smiling or speaking. Additionally, bone loss from missing teeth can cause your cheeks and lips to appear sunken, giving your face a prematurely aged look.
What Are The Benefits of Dental Implants?
Natural Appearance
These are designed to mimic the look, feel, and function of natural teeth. The crown, which is the visible part of the implant, is custom-made to match the size, shape, and color of your surrounding teeth. This ensures that the implant blends seamlessly with your smile, making it nearly impossible to tell it’s not a natural tooth. Whether you’re speaking, smiling, or eating, implants provide a confident and natural look.
Durability
Made from titanium, the implant screw fuses with the jawbone creating a stable and permanent foundation. These implants have a high success rate compared to other forms of dental restorative treatments.
Improved Oral Health and Functionality
Unlike traditional bridges, implants don’t require the alteration of adjacent healthy teeth therefore reducing the risk of dental caries or root canal treatment of adjacent teeth. Implants restore full chewing ability, allowing you to eat your favourite foods with confidence.
Bone Preservation
Implants stimulate the jawbone, preventing bone loss that typically occurs after losing a tooth.
What are the types of Dental Implant available in Singapore? 
a) Single Implant:
A single implant is the perfect solution for replacing a missing tooth. It involves a titanium fixture surgically placed into the jawbone, serving as a sturdy, artificial tooth root.
b) Implant-Retained Bridge: 
An implant-retained bridge is an excellent option for replacing multiple missing teeth in a row. Unlike traditional bridges that rely on adjacent teeth for support, this solution is securely anchored by dental implants, providing a stable and long-lasting replacement for missing teeth.
b) Implant Overdenture:
An implant overdenture is a removable prosthetic appliance designed for patients who have lost most or all of their teeth in one or both arches. It is securely attached to dental implants, offering improved stability, functionality, and comfort compared to conventional dentures. 
c) All-on-4 Dental Implants:
The All-on-4 dental implant technique is an innovative solution for patients missing all or most teeth in an arch. This method supports a full arch of prosthetic teeth using just four strategically placed dental implants, providing a fixed, efficient, and natural-looking restoration.
How Much Does Dental Implant treatment cost in Singapore? 
The cost of implants in Singapore varies based on several factors, including the complexity of the procedure, the materials used, and the clinic's location. Dental implants are an investment in your oral health. Costs can vary based on:
- The number of implants needed
- Additional procedures, such as bone grafting
- Materials used (e.g., titanium or zirconia)
- Location of placement of these implants
Can we utilise Medisave for the Implant Surgery?
Singaporeans and Permanent Residents can use MediSave to help offset a portion of the costs associated with dental implants. MediSave provides coverage for surgical procedures, including dental implant surgeries. Patients can claim up to $1,250 per implant surgical procedure. This amount typically applies to the implant placement stage of the procedure, which involves surgically inserting the titanium implant into the jawbone.
However, it is important to note that MediSave coverage does not usually extend to the cost of the crown. Patients are encouraged to consult with their dental clinic to understand the breakdown of costs and how much of the procedure can be claimed through MediSave.
What Is the Time line and Treatment Process of Getting Dental Implant?
Step 1: Consultation and Planning
Dental implant surgery is a safe procedure when done executed by an experienced dental surgeon. The process begins with an initial consultation with our dentist or oral surgeon. During this visit:
- Oral Health Assessment: Your dentist examines your teeth, gums, and overall oral health to determine if you’re a good candidate for dental implants.
- X-Rays and Scans: Detailed images of your teeth and jawbone are taken using X-rays or 3D imaging. This helps the dentist assess the condition of your jawbone and locate important structures like nerves or sinuses.
- Personalized Treatment Plan: Based on your oral health, the dentist creates a customized plan. This plan outlines the number of implants needed, whether additional procedures like tooth extraction or bone grafting are necessary, and the expected timeline.
Step 2: Tooth extraction and Immediate Implant Placement
Any damaged or unsalvageable teeth will be removed if required. If your jawbone lacks density, a bone graft may be placed in the empty socket in order to have enough bone thickness for implant placement. These bone graft have biocompatible properties which help create a base for bone formation around the implant.
Once the jaw bone is ready for dental implant procedure, the titanium implant is surgically placed into the bone under local anesthesia to ensure comfort. The dentist then inserts the implant, which serves as the artificial root. Titanium integrates with the bone through osseointegration, creating a stable foundation. The gum is then stitched to protect the area, and healing cap or cover cap may be placed during the recovery period.
Step 3: Review and Healing Period
Two weeks after the implant placement, it is essential to schedule a follow-up appointment with your dentist. During this visit, the sutures will be removed, and the gums will be thoroughly examined to ensure proper healing and address any concerns. This review is a critical step in monitoring the progress of your recovery and ensuring the success of the implant. The healing period after a dental implant placement is a crucial phase where the implant integrates with the jawbone to create a stable foundation for the artificial tooth. This process, known as osseointegration, typically takes 3 to 6 months.
Step 4: Digitally Scanning For Implant Crown
Digital scanning of implants is a modern and highly accurate method used by dentists to capture detailed 3D images of a patient’s mouth, including the implants. This process replaces traditional impressions, offering greater comfort and precision. The dentist uses an intraoral scanner, a handheld device equipped with a small camera and light, to capture digital impressions. The scanner is gently moved around the implant site and adjacent teeth.
After the implant has integrated with the jawbone, the dentist reopens the gum tissue to attach the abutment, a small connector that links the implant to the crown. This minor procedure is done under local anesthesia. The abutment extends above the gum line, and the gums are shaped around it to heal over a few weeks. In some cases, a temporary crown may be placed to maintain appearance until the permanent crown is ready.
Step 5: Crown Placement
A custom-made implant dental crown is carefully designed to match the size, shape, and color of your natural teeth, ensuring a seamless and aesthetically pleasing result. Once the abutment is securely attached to the implant, the crown is either screwed or cemented onto the abutment. This crown serves as the visible part of the implant, functioning just like a natural tooth.
The dentist ensures that the crown fits perfectly with your bite and aligns properly with the surrounding teeth to prevent discomfort or uneven wear. This final step not only restores the appearance of your smile but also brings back the functionality of the missing tooth, allowing you to chew, speak, and smile confidently. With this step, the dental implant process is complete, and you can enjoy a durable, natural-looking replacement tooth for years to come.
Who Is a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Most adults in good health are candidates for dental implants. However, the following factors are considered:
- Bone Density: Adequate jawbone is necessary to support the implant. Bone grafting may be an option if bone density is insufficient.
- Oral Health: Healthy gums and no active infections are crucial.
- Lifestyle Factors: Smokers and individuals with certain medical conditions (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes) may require additional evaluation.
A consultation with our dentist or oral surgeon will help determine if dental implants are suitable for you. Dental implants should only be placed after the jawbone has finished growing and developing which is after the age of 18 years.
Placing an implant too early, before the jawbone is fully developed, can result in complications, such as the implant shifting or failing as the jaw continues to grow. They are generally not recommended for children under 16-18 years. In such cases, temporary solutions such as space maintainers or removable dentures (Partial dentures) can be used to address missing teeth until the jaw is fully developed.
What are the Potential Risks and Complications?
Dental implant surgery is highly successful, with a success rate of over 95%. However, like any medical procedure, it does come with certain risks. Here’s a detailed explanation of the possible complications and how they might occur:
- Infection of the gums and loss of bone structure around the implant: Maintaining proper oral hygiene minimizes risk of gum disease and gum recession around the implant.
- Implant Failure: Rarely, the implant may not fuse with the bone properly, often due to factors like smoking. If this happens, the implant might need to be removed. This implant failure can occur due to factors like poor bone quality, infection, or habits like smoking, which reduce blood flow and slow healing.
- Nerve Damage: If the implant is placed too close to a nerve, it may cause temporary or permanent numbness.
- Failure of implant crown: An implant crown under excessive pressure may be at risk of cracking.
If dental implants are not a suitable option for you, there are other effective alternatives to replace missing teeth, such as dental bridges and removable dentures.
How Do We Care for Dental Implants?
Proper care is crucial to ensure the long-term success and durability of your dental implants. Maintaining good oral hygiene is the foundation of implant care, so it’s important to brush and floss daily to prevent plaque buildup around the implant. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste to avoid damaging the implant crown or surrounding gum tissue.
Regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings are essential, as your dentist can monitor the health of your implant and address any issues early on.
Additionally, lifestyle habits play a significant role; avoiding smoking is critical, as it can slow healing and increase the risk of implant failure.
Limiting the consumption of hard or sticky foods, like ice or caramel, helps protect the implant crown and prevents unnecessary stress on the implant itself. By following these guidelines, you can maintain the health of your dental implants and enjoy a strong, confident smile for years to come!
Considering Dental Implants as a long term investment in your smile? Please drop us a message!
References
- Gupta R, Gupta N, Weber, DDS KK. Dental Implants. [Updated 2023 Aug 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470448/