HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ON REPLACING MISSING TEETH IN SINGAPORE

Dental Implants

Dental implants are a permanent solution to missing teeth. Shaped like small screws, they serve the same function as your natural tooth root and serve as a strong foundation for an artificial tooth. Dental implants in Singapore are typically made of titanium and surgically inserted into the jawbone.

There are benefits to choosing dental implants over other teeth replacement options, such as not having to rely on neighbouring teeth and not needing replacements, unlike removable bridges or dentures. Implants have added benefits of strengthening existing jawbone. Materials for implants include titanium or ceramic.

Dental Implant Structure

Fixture (Implant)

The implant fixture is shaped like a screw and is composed of either medical-grade titanium or ceramic. This is surgically placed into your jaw bone to replace the root of your natural teeth.

Abutment (Connector)

The implant abutment (connector) is a small nugget that attaches to the implant fixture. It helps to connect and support the implant prosthesis.

Prosthesis (Crown)

And finally, the implant prosthesis forms the most superficial part of the implant that closely resembles the crown of your natural tooth. It can come in various forms such as a:

Crown (replaces a single tooth)
Bridge (replaces a few teeth)
Denture (replaces several teeth)

The entire procedure of inserting a successful dental implant and for full recovery to take place can take up to 6 months. The procedure can be summarised into 4 main steps: implant insertion, osseointegration, abutment placement, and prosthesis placement.

The 4 steps of the procedure are not carried out in one dental visit or surgery but over the course of several months. This is to allow for healing and for the implant to fuse properly with its surrounding jaw bone. This is known as Osseointegration (seen here in step 2) and is critical to the success of any dental implant.

After healing is complete, and the integration is successful, the abutment and the prosthesis can be attached to the implant fixture (steps 3 & 4). You will now have teeth that feel like your own, allowing you to enjoy eating, drinking and speaking like you used to. Now, you won't have to hide your smile anymore!

Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants have always been seen as an effective and viable solution to replacing missing teeth in Singapore. Dental implants also serves as a permanent solution with minimum downsides, thus, improving your quality of life and self-confidence.

Unlike dentures, they do not slip in and out of their position, making it a stable, reliable choice. Also, unlike bridges, they do not rely on the support of the surrounding teeth. There are multiple other benefits of having dental implants over other methods of replacing missing teeth, such as:

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Feels Like Natural Teeth

Implants are anchored firmly in your jaw bone, providing a strong foundation for the artificial prosthesis (crown of the tooth). This makes it a sturdy teeth replacement choice, allowing you to carry out your daily activities, like eating and talking, with ease.

Compared to removable options, like dentures or dental bridges, which can slip in and out of their position, implants are not removable and are secure.

Also, implants do not need to be removed and cleaned in the way dentures and bridges need to be.

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High Success Rate & Potential to Last a Lifetime

Studies have shown that dental implants have a high success rate, lasting for more than 10 years on average.

Titanium metal implants are known to last a lifetime and can outlive their artificial tooth crown, which needs to be replaced every 25 years.

Several factors affect the lifespan of your dental implants including how well you care for them, your lifestyle and habits, the density of your jawbone and the position of the tooth along the jaw arch.

For example, having low jawbone density and habits such as smoking reduces the success rate of implant surgery.

Not Supported By Surrounding Teeth

The fixtures of implants (screws), surgically placed into your jawbone, support and hold the artificial tooth crown.

This is unlike in a tooth-supported bridge or denture, where the surrounding teeth function as the supportive pillar, keeping the artificial teeth in place. Neighbouring teeth are therefore not overstrained by these structures, hence avoiding teeth cracking or being worn down over time.

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Avoids Problems Associated with Missing Teeth & Prevents Jawbone Loss

Having missing teeth is not just a cosmetic problem. It also causes teeth to shift and for over-crowding and gaps to occur, hindering your ability to floss and brush. This could lead to tooth cavities and decay occurring down the line. Gaps in the teeth also allow a cavity for food to be trapped and for plaque and bacteria to accumulate, which could eventually lead to gum recession.

Also, when a tooth is absent, it causes the jawbone and tissues surrounding it to atrophy and decrease in volume. This could affect the bone structure of one's face and change one facial appearance, making one look aged. Implants prevent bone loss and gum recession by stimulating the growth and development of the jawbone. Once the implant is placed, it functions like a natural tooth root, allowing the jawbone to grow well.

In this way, your facial structure is maintained, preventing premature ageing, and resulting in maintaining a youthful and vibrant facial appearance.

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Improves Your Speech & Eating Abilities

Dental implants can feel almost exactly like your natural teeth, allowing you to eat, drink, and talk as you normally would.

With dentures, because the tooth root is absent, over time the jawbone can degenerate and shrink. This would cause the dentures to not fit as well, slipping in and out of their position. As the jawbone deteriorates further and over time, you would have to change your set several times over the span of a few years.

Teeth are an essential part of speech sound development. When there are gaps in your teeth, this causes lisps or whistling sounds. Wearing dentures also requires getting used to; initial problems include the collection of excessive saliva or the inability to properly enunciate certain sounds.

Types of Dental Implants

Depending on your particular condition, the specific type of dental implant would be chosen to best suit your needs. For example, if you have low jawbone density, zygomatic or tubero pterygoid dental implants may be more suitable for you.

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All-on-4 Dental Implants / Teeth-in-a-day

All-on-4 dental implants, also known as teeth-in-a-day, pro arch or full mouth dental implants, are suitable for patients with multiple or a whole row of missing teeth.

As the name implies, this procedure is completed within a single day. 4 to 6 dental implant screws are placed within the jaw bone and a bridge prosthesis is then placed over these fixtures, giving you a full set of teeth in a single procedure.

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Single Tooth Dental Implants

Single tooth dental implants are suitable for patients with a single missing or damaged tooth.

This is usually required if a tooth is irreparably damaged by decay or knocked out by a fall or a sports accident.

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Multi Teeth Dental Implants

Multi teeth dental implants are suitable for those who require several teeth to be replaced at one time. One benefit of this type of implant is that adjacent teeth are no longer used as support structures.

Metal-Free Dental Implants

Metal-free dental implants prevents further bone loss and gum recession, by stimulating growth and development of the jawbone. Once the implant is placed, it functions like a natural tooth root, allowing the jawbone to grow well.

In this way, your facial structure is maintained, resulting in the maintenance of a youthful and vibrant facial appearance.

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Zygomatic Dental Implants

Nobel Biocare’s zygomatic implants differ from more traditional dental implants, where instead of having implants drilled directly into the jawbone, they are drilled into the upper jaw bone, close to the Zygoma bone. This treatment is particularly suitable for patients with severe bone loss.

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Tubero Pterygoid Dental Implants

Tubero pterygoid dental implants are for patients who do not have sufficient bone mass in their upper jaw for ordinary implants. These are placed around the upper 2nd molar area, at an angle, to utilize the stronger and denser bone here.

Do I Need Dental Implants?

If you have one or more missing teeth, or if your existing dentures or dental bridge is loose and uncomfortable, dental implants may be the right solution for you.

You may need dental implants if:

You have any missing, failing, or unstable teeth. Missing teeth can cause some severe dental problems down the line, including gum recession and changes in one's facial structure;
You have missing teeth which affect your ability to chew. This not only prevents you from enjoying the food you love but also could result in indigestion or an inability to break food down small enough to chew;
You have missing teeth which affect your ability to pronounce words, and you hence have speech issues. With a hindered ability to express yourself, you might feel a sense of isolation or that you're not as confident speaking in the same way you once were;
You are dissatisfied with your smile, which in turn has a few psychosocial consequences, such as a lowered self-esteem, fear of social interaction, or reduced quality of life;
You have an uncomfortable, dysfunctional or destructive bite. This could result in chipped, broken or worn-down teeth;
You are dissatisfied with your current dentures.

What Does the Dental Implant Procedure Involve?

Stage 1: Consultation

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Detailed Exploration of Concerns

When you attend your dental implant consultation, our team of specialists at Nuffield Dental will discuss your concerns, considering your suitability for getting dental implants.

Full Dental Assessment

Your general health condition, as well as the condition of your teeth and gums, will be thoroughly assessed. This will include taking the necessary X-rays or scans to determine a suitable treatment option for you. Through this, our dentists will ascertain the volume of bone present in your face and jaw.

Individualised Treatment Planning

Our specialists will then thoroughly explain your condition, the available treatment options, the benefits and risks of each option, and their procedures. They will then tailor a treatment plan that is specific to you, addressing each concern.

Depending on your condition, our dentist will assist in your treatment planning.

After losing your tooth, your dental implant treatment may be done:

Immediately,
1-4 months (early), or
More than six months later (delayed)

Stage 2: Sinus Lift & Bone Grafting

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Supplementary Procedures

For a successful dental implant procedure to be carried out, you need to have sufficient jaw bone since the implant fixture requires a sturdy foundation for support.

These can include gum or bone grafts, sinus lifts, or the creation of stents to guide your implant placement. After these supplementary procedures are carried out, it can take up to 6 months for you to be completely healed.

Your dentist will thoroughly discuss these with you during the planning stage should any of these be needed.

Stage 3: Implant Fixture Procedure

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Local Anaesthesia

Before your implant is placed, the relevant implant sites will be completely numbed with a local anaesthetic so that you feel no pain during the whole procedure. However, you may expect to feel some slight pressure or vibration.

Depending on your concerns and agreed individualised treatment plan, you may be sedated before the surgery in addition to the local anaesthetic administered or given general anaesthesia.

Tooth Extraction & Implant Fixture Placement

If the tooth remains in its socket, the relevant tooth or teeth will have to be extracted first. Your dentist will then place the implant fixture into your jaw bone.

Stage 4: Healing & Implant Fixture Fusing with Jawbone

Your body requires a few days to accept the implant. During this time, it is completely normal to experience discomfort, pain or minor swelling. Your dentist will provide you with pain-relieving medication or recommend some that be purchased off-the-counter.

After which, you will need to come down for a second appointment with the dentist to assess the healing process.

Integration of Fixture

New jawbone grows around the newly introduced implant fixture, permanently integrating the fixture with the jaw and gums. This process is known as osseointegration.

An implant fixture typically takes 3 to 6 months to fuse and become a part of your jaw bone.

While healing takes place and a permanent prosthesis is being made, a temporary prosthesis will be provided.

Stage 5: Adding Prosthesis

Final Prosthesis

Once the implant fixture integration is deemed successful, the final implant prosthesis (crown), implant-supported bridge or denture, will be constructed and fitted.

It will be customised to fit the shape of your mouth and surrounding teeth, allowing it to look and feel like one of your natural teeth.

Stage 6: Post-Procedure Care

Regular Dental Checkups

Once your dental implants are in place, you would still be required to visit your dentist every 6 months. On top of your routine cleaning and checks, your dentist will also check that your dental implants have integrated well and continue to serve its function well.

How Should You Maintain Your Dental Implant?

The success of dental implants hinges on a patient's ability to care for them well. From the insertion of the implant fixture to having the crown fit, patients should adopt soft diets where necessary and avoid vices like smoking.

Implants have the best long-term success with patients who:

Consistently maintain excellent oral hygiene and dental care;
Regularly attend their dental check-ups;
Do not place excessive biting forces on the implant (extreme biting forces could result from tooth grinding habits, having a dysfunctional bite, etc.);
Do not smoke.

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Why Choose Nuffield Dental for Your Dental Implant?

Nuffield Dental is a one-stop, multi-disciplinary dental care centre in Singapore. At Nuffield, we put you first. We believe in providing personalised service for each patient.

Nuffield Dental is a one-stop, multi-disciplinary dental care centre. Here at Nuffield Dental, we pride ourselves of our personalised oral care for each and every one of our patients. We need to make sure you get all the help you need to make your dental procedures more comfortable, accessible and seamless.

More about Implants

Our dentists have specialised in implant dentistry and oral surgery for more than 20 years. We have accredited dental specialists who are skilled in the area of dental implant surgery.

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