Dental Implantology
Our Clinical Services
Dental Implants
Teeth many be extracted for many reasons and the gap left by the missing tooth or teeth can be unsightly or cause chewing problems. Fortunately, these missing teeth can be replaced with dental implants.
Dental implants act as replacements for missing teeth. They can help to restore your ability to chew your favourite foods, improve your oral well-being and health and rebuild your smile and self-confidence.They can also serve as great alternatives to dentures and bridgework.
A dental implant comprises two components:
- The implant body (sometimes called the screw or dental fixture) is a titanium alloyed screw that is placed into the bone to support the crown. It is similar in function to the roots of natural teeth and will serve as the foundation to support the artificial crown.
- The artificial or prosthetic crown is essentially the replacement tooth affixed to the implant body. It replaces the natural crown of the tooth for aesthetics and function and is located above the gums.
Dental implants are permanent fixtures and are exceptionally strong. As every patient’s dental needs are different, there are several dental implant options available to replace missing teeth. They include:
- Single tooth implant replacement
- Multi-teeth implant bridge replacement
- All-on X full mouth implant bridge replacement
- Implant-supported overdentures
To find our more, make an appointment for a consultation with our specialist Dr Andrew Ow today.
Types of Dental Implants
Dental implantology requires careful examination of your jaw and gums, as the type of dental implant recommended for you will depend on several factors, including your jawbone’s thickness, to support a dental implant.
Endosteal Implants
These implants are the most common implantation method, where the implant body is surgically placed into the jawbone. Each implant can hold one or more prosthetic teeth, making it suitable to support multiple or even a complete mouth implantation process when you have more than one tooth missing.
Subperiosteal Implants
For this type of implant, the implant body sits on top of the jaw and just below the gum line; it is typically reserved for people who use removable dentures or have insufficient bone in the jaw to mount an endosteal implant in place properly.
Additional surgical procedures may be performed to accommodate the different implant types before your dental implant can be installed. For example, endosteal implants require sufficiently dense bone to support the mouth’s impressive chewing power, so a bone graft must be performed and allowed to heal before the implant can be surgically installed.
The Consultation Process
1. Initial Assessment
During the consultation, we will examine your current oral health and discuss your dental implant options, what to expect from the procedure, and various dos and don’ts to follow before and after the procedure. If you happen to have any questions or doubts, we will also be here to answer them as best as we can.
2. Bone Grafting
If necessary, your surgeon may first apply a bone graft to the implant area to strengthen the implant site. This surgical procedure precedes the actual implantation procedure, which can only be done once the bone graft heals sufficiently - a process that can take up to two months or longer. Rest assured, you will be briefed in detail about this process and why you need it.
3. The Implantation Process
When the appointed day comes, we will either apply anaesthesia to the gums where the implantation needs to be performed or sedate you if you prefer that option instead. When it is time to install the implant, your surgeon will first make an incision (or cut) in your gums, exposing the bone underneath where the implant will be placed. They will carefully drill into the bone to prepare the implant site, widening it just enough so the implant fits. Once done, the surgeon will carefully insert the implant, then reposition your gums and stitch the incision shut.
4. Healing and Final Restoration
It will take some time for your jawbone to fuse to the dental implant (a process called osseointegration) and create the solid base for your new artificial tooth. Once it heals after a few months, the surgeon can attach the abutment and your new artificial crown to complete the implantation procedure.
Recovery Do's And Dont's
Follow these general dos and don’ts per our advice to ensure a prolonged, stable recovery.
- You may experience swelling or discomfort in your mouth, especially around the implant site, for some time after the surgery. Follow your dentist’s advice and take the prescribed medications to help you manage the pain, but let your dentist know if symptoms persist in the days after your surgery.
- Start with a soft diet for at least a week after surgery to allow your gums and implant to heal properly. Your dentist may advise you to adjust your diet. Some people experience different recovery periods, so have patience and let yourself heal.
- It is recommended you rest for a few days after your surgery; some medications may make you drowsy, so as a safety precaution, you should avoid driving or operating any machinery while you are still taking these medications.
- Take care of your oral health using a soft toothbrush and a low-abrasive toothpaste. You should brush your implant(s) at least twice daily, especially after meals. Look for toothbrushes with interdental brush heads to reach hard-to-reach spaces easily.
- Follow up your brushing with a mouth rinse to keep your gums and teeth clean and avoid bad breath.
- Make sure you attend your follow-up sessions so your dentist can assess your oral health and continue to help you maintain it. Good oral hygiene goes a long way to helping your overall well-being, especially when you enjoy good food.
- For the first few weeks after surgery, avoid eating hot, cold, or spicy foods and anything too chewy or tough that could hurt your gums or implant.
- Avoid eating hard or sticky foods in large portions, even after your implant has healed. Instead, cut them up into smaller, more manageable pieces. If at all possible, however, you should avoid or minimise your consumption of these types of foods.
- To prevent unwanted damage, never use your teeth to rip open plastic packaging, bottles, cans, or any other kind of material.
- Reduce your alcohol consumption, as you can put yourself at risk of gum problems and even implant failure.
- Quit smoking as it has a significant adverse impact on your oral health, including putting you at risk of tooth decay and gum problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Proper oral hygiene care allows your implants to last a lifetime. Your artificial crown will require an occasional change, but for the most part, your dental implant will require little maintenance as long as you continue practising good oral hygiene.
You will be considered an ideal candidate for dental implant therapy if you fulfil the following conditions:
- Healthy gums and teeth
- Non- smoker
- Good oral hygiene
- Attend regular dental check-ups
Due to the higher risk of dental implant complications and failure, we generally advise against receiving dental implants for the following conditions:
- Heavy smoker or usage of tobacco-based products
- Poor oral or dental health
- Uncontrolled medical conditions e.g diabetes
- Undergoing radiotherapy or chemotherapy
However, for some of the above conditions, if they can be well-controlled or managed, dental implant therapy can still be performed.
Some people may have not have sufficient bone to support a dental implant, As such, a bone grafting procedure may be required either before or during the dental implant placement. In such cases, bone grafting has additional benefits including protecting the dental implant itself and safeguarding the longevity of the dental implant.
Yes. In selected cases, immediate dental implant placement after tooth extraction is possible.
Yes, but only for the dental implant surgery. The dental implant crown is not Medisave Claimable.
Contact Us
- Location
101 Irrawaddy Road #11-05
Royal Square Medical Centre
Singapore 329565
- Contact Details
Number: +65 6276 7276
Email: enquiries@aomfsurgery.com
- Working Hours
Monday to Friday: 9.00 AM – 5.30 PM
Saturday: 9.00 AM – 12.30 PM
Sunday & Public Holidays: Closed
