At An Dental, our dental surgeons are dedicated to providing you with a safe and clinically proven dental implants procedure in Singapore.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are titanium posts that your dentist positions into your jawbone beneath the gums. Once placed, they serve as a foundation for mounting replacement teeth onto them, restoring your smile and functionality.
Dental implants are titanium posts implanted into your jaw to hold a tooth in place.
Who needs dental implants in Singapore?
Dental implants can be an ideal solution if you have missing teeth or teeth that are severely damaged and cannot be restored. However, you need to be in good overall health to ensure the success and longevity of the dental implant procedure. Only some people are suitable candidates for this technique, and it depends on your bone structure and type of bite.
People not suitable for dental implants include:
Individuals with an insufficient or weak jawbone
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
Individuals with medical conditions such as severe osteoporosis, uncontrolled diabetes, immune system disorders, blood clotting disorders
Sometimes, dental implants are the best option available for your condition. For example, there are several options when you need to extract a tooth:
Leave the space as it is: this may be acceptable if the missing tooth is at the back and not crucial for chewing. However, this may not be a favourable choice if aesthetics or function is a concern.
Wear a denture: a removable plastic piece used temporarily for aesthetics but not a permanent solution.
Do a bridge: adjacent teeth are trimmed, and a fake tooth is attached. It is a fixed solution, but you will have to trim the neighbouring healthy teeth, and root canal treatment of the neighbouring teeth might be needed.
Do orthodontics: if you already have crowded teeth, it is possible to move adjacent teeth to close the space left by the extracted tooth.
Dental implants: the ideal option if you are medically and dentally healthy and have sufficient bone for implant anchoring. They function independently, avoiding impact on adjacent teeth, and providing increased chewing force.
If you have any of the conditions above, make an appointment for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
How are dental implants done in Singapore?
Before proceeding with dental implants, you will be assessed using advanced CT scans (3-D scans) offering high-resolution images and low radiation to ensure the implants are placed optimally and safely. We have to take into consideration critical structures in the bone and gums, such as blood vessels and nerves. An Dental uses the KAVO OP3D and Focus computed tomography (CT) scan and X-ray machine, known for its low dose technology, ensuring safety for adults and children if 3D imaging is required.
During the dental implant procedure, your dental surgeon will apply numbing cream and then administer an injection to numb the area. Titanium fixtures, resembling tooth roots, will be placed into the jawbone after gently teasing the gums open. If the missing tooth is at the back and not visible, a temporary protective cover screw will be positioned at the neck of the fixture, and the gums will be sewn back to cover the head of the fixture.
Dental implants consist of a fixture, abutment, screw, and crown.
Following this, the titanium screw needs 2 to 4 months to heal and fuse with the jawbone. Then, the implant crown will be fabricated and placed. In some cases, immediate implants and provisionalisation may be done, meaning the implant fixture is placed during the same visit as the extraction, and an implant crown may also be placed immediately after surgery.
At An Dental, we offer immediate implants and provisional crowns after surgery to avoid leaving you toothless. However, whether immediate implants are suitable for you depends on your bone structure and bite type, which will be carefully evaluated. This approach shortens the treatment duration, eliminating the need for temporary restorations like dentures.
Our dental implant system has a reliable history with scientific data to ensure long-lasting results. We aim to provide you with natural-looking teeth, indistinguishable from your natural ones.
For your comfort, we offer sedation options, allowing you to wake up relaxed and rested in our “heal” room.
Bone Grafts
In some cases, CT scans or clinical assessments may reveal that you have insufficient bone to support the dental implant. In such cases, a bone graft procedure will be necessary to enhance the bone volume for the implant.
The bone graft will be performed in our comfortable operation suite. If you feel anxious or nervous, you have the option to choose sedation in our sedation-friendly rooms, and you will awake from a deep sleep in our “heal” room. This ensures your comfort and a smooth experience during the procedure.
What is a bone graft?
A bone graft is a procedure performed to increase the volume of bone. The graft can be taken from various sources, such as:
Autogenous graft: taken from your own bone.
Allograft: bone taken from another person.
Xenograft: bone taken from external porcine or bovine sources.
Alloplast: bone graft from non-living material and is typically particulate in nature.
Some individuals may require a bone graft procedure before they are suitable for dental implants.
Who needs a bone graft?
Bone grafts are usually performed when there is a need to increase the volume of bone to support a dental implant.
Why do bone grafts?
For dental implants to be successful, they require firm anchoring in a healthy bone. If the CT scan reveals insufficient bone, bone volume must be increased before implant replacement. Hence, bone grafts are performed to increase this volume.
How are bone grafts done?
Before a bone graft procedure, a CT scan is performed to determine the extent of bone loss; you will then discuss the suitable bone graft material with your dentist. Once the bone graft material has been selected, your procedure will begin.
During the procedure, your dental surgeon will apply a numbing cream and inject you to numb the area. The gums will be teased open, and small holes will be created in the bone bed to enhance bleeding. The chosen bone graft will be carefully placed in the area, and a membrane (usually made of collagen) may be used to secure it. The gums will be stitched back into place.
Creating these small holes in the bone promotes blood flow, facilitating the formation of a stable blood clot that will eventually transform into new bone, combining with your natural bone to increase bone volume. Bone particulate grafts are a common technique used in this process.
Bone grafts help provide a firm base for dental implants.
Post-operative care
If you have received a temporary implant crown, avoid using it to chew on anything, as it is for aesthetics until the permanent crown is placed.
Activity: rest the day of and after surgery, and only return to work or school the following day. Refrain from physical activity for at least two days. Avoid sleeping on the surgery side.
Medications: take prescribed medicines as directed, even if you do not feel much discomfort initially. Preventing pain is easier than treating it later.
Swelling: swelling is normal and peaks at 48 hours. Apply ice for 15 minutes on and off during the first 24 hours. Keep your head above your heart to reduce swelling, lasting up to 3 days.
Bleeding: slight oozing in the first 24 hours is normal. Apply gentle pressure with gauze for 20 minutes. A caffeinated tea bag can be used if gauze is unavailable.
Mouth care: minimise movement and trauma to the surgical site for faster healing. Sutures may be removed in 1 to 2 weeks. Avoid smoking during the healing phase.
Diet: avoid hot, spicy, brittle, or abrasive foods. Opt for a soft diet in the first 24 hours and minimise chewing on the surgery side. A balanced diet aids healing.
Oral hygiene: only brush the surgical area once instructed. Use prescribed Chlorhexidine mouth rinse twice daily, refraining from eating or drinking for 30 minutes after rinsing.
You must attend the scheduled follow-up appointment after 1 to 2 weeks. Sutures may be removed, and further oral hygiene instructions may be given.
CONTACT US
We look forward to answering any questions you may have in your pursuit of health, beauty, and a peace of mind. Feel free to drop us a message right here.
International Building (Next to Lido) 360 Orchard Road #03-06/07 Singapore 238869
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