What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots surgically placed in the jawbone to provide a stable foundation for replacing missing teeth. They are a popular and effective long-term solution. Dental implants consists of 3 main components.
1. Implant
These act as the roots for the new prosthesis.
2. Abutment
The abutment links the implant with the prosthesis and provides a support structure for the prosthesis.
3. Prosthesis
The artificial tooth/teeth that replace the missing ones. They can be single crown, a bridge, or a complete denture, depending on the patient’s needs.
Comparison Between other Prosthesis
| Implant | Bridge | Denture |
|---|---|---|
|
No damage to adjacent tooth. |
Both healthy adjacent teeth will have to be trimmed to accommodate a bridge. |
No damage to adjacent tooth. |
|
Preserves bone health due to stimulation of the jaw bone. |
Does not stimulate the jaw bone which could lead to bone loss around the missing tooth over time. |
Does not stimulate the jaw bone which could lead to bone loss around the missing tooth over time. |
|
Stable foundation for replacement teeth, just like natural teeth. |
Relies on 2 adjacent healthy teeth to provide the foundation for the replacement tooth. |
The least stable, can sometimes move/slip. |
|
Will have to wait 3-4 months post implant to attach missing teeth. |
Can be completed in roughly 2 weeks. |
Can be completed in roughly 1 month. |
|
Can last a lifetime with proper care. |
May need replacement every 10-15 years. |
May need replacement/reline depending on shifts in bone structure. |
Implant with Crown
- Osstem Implant & a Zirconia (Full Porcelain) Crown
CHAS does not subsidise implants. View the CHAS subsidy table HERE
What to Expect
Consultation (~45 mins)
During the consultation, a panoramic / 3D x-ray will be taken, and our dentists will assess your suitability for an implant based on various factors such as your jaw bone health, periodontal condition and proximity to other implants. If suitable, we will schedule an appointment for the implant surgery. If not, we will explore other options suitable for you.
Implant Surgery (~75 mins)
If you would like to use Medisave for this procedure, you will sign the Medisave Claims Authorisation Form. Our dentists will give you local anaesthetic and proceed to place the implant.
3 – 4 Months later
Implant Impression (~45 mins)
We will take a mould of your teeth to fabricate the final prosthesis.
1-2 Weeks later
Issue Final Prosthesis (~45-60 mins)
Hooray! It’s finally complete, go out and enjoy your food
Frequently Asked Questions
We will give you topical anaesthesia to mask the local anaesthesia injection. You should not feel any pain during the procedure, but you may feel some slight pressure.
Recovery wise, a large majority of patients we see do not experience any pain at all based on their feedback.
The implant requires time for osseointegration – that is to integrate with the surrounding bone for a stable base. Compromising on this will lead to implant failure.
Yes! It is imperative for you to maintain good oral hygiene for the longevity of the implant. While the implant itself is not prone to decay, your surrounding gums and bone are.
Oral neglect could lead to loss of bone surrounding the implant, compromising it.
Without stimulation, jaw bone will tend to recede. This can lead to bone loss around the adjacent teeth which can compromise their stability and potentially lead to tooth loss. Placing an implant not only restores the missing tooth but can help prevent further tooth loss.
