Frequently Asked Questions of Dental Implants

The treatment options for loss of a tooth are either a dental implant or a dental bridge.

Dental implants are commonly used for adults and seldom for children.

Modern technology allows dentures to be made very accurately and well fitting for each individual´s mouth. However, even with these advances, many patients still suffer from denture pain, denture slippage and discomfort. This is especially true for those individuals with a full set of lower dentures.

Dental implant teeth are very strong because it is directly anchored in the jawbones, just like real teeth. Unlike conventional dentures, there is no problem with slippage, which means that you can eat and speak with comfort and confidence.

Dentures cover large areas of the mouth and taste buds. This makes eating less enjoyable and food tastes less tasty. Implant teeth can be made with less material, which allows less coverage on the oral tissue, like the roof of the mouth. Many patients reported increased taste enjoyment of food.

Looking at a smile with dental implants is like looking at a smile with natural teeth.

Long-term, peer-reviewed scientific studies from various institutions since 1965 have shown approximately a 95% success rate for dental implants.

Once teeth are diagnosed as ailing, the jawbones will continue to erode/waste/shrink away over time. Once teeth are gone, after a number of years, the jawbone can be alarmingly thin. A thin jawbone simply disallows the patient to wear a functional denture and the jawbone is susceptible to fracture!! Scientific studies have shown that dental implants, like healthy natural teeth, maintain the volume of healthy jawbones over time.

This depends on the long term prognosis of the tooth/teeth and the expected success rate of the treatment for that failing tooth/teeth. World-wide scientific studies from 1965 onward have shown that implant teeth are approximately 95% successful. If the expected success rate of the salvage procedure for the tooth/teeth are determined to be substantially lower, it is justified to remove a failing tooth and replace it with dental implants. Also, over the long process of failing teeth, the associated jawbone is commonly destroyed. This often complicates and occasionally disallows future teeth replacement. In general, hanging onto failing teeth without treatment is not recommended.

You will NOT be ‘knocked out’ for any period of time. Nowadays implant procedures are painless. Under a little local anesthesia, occasionally in combination with a mild general anesthetic (called sedation), the procedures are carried out pain free. However, it is essential to take the medicine we prescribe for you during the post-treatment period, which ensures painless recovery.

Most of our patients can get back to normal daily activities on the same day. Some may choose to take it easy for a day or two - it is a matter of personal choice.

Conventional implant treatment requires implants to be placed a few months before the teeth are replaced. Thus, there are usually a couple of months in between the time that the implant(s) are placed and the time that the patient has his or her final teeth.

With Teeth-in-an-Hour,™ implants and replacement teeth can be placed at the same time. The process is completed in about one hour and the patient leaves with his or her final teeth at the end of the appointment. (More information on Teeth-in-an-Hour™ can be found in the section on Teeth-in-an-Hour™ ).

Bone grafts help in the placement of dental implants and replaces missing gums. Bone graft surgeries are commonly done to improve the oral tissue to support replacement teeth. For a bigger bone graft, they may be harvested from the hip.

For smaller bone grafts, sterile materials from a vial will be sufficient. For larger bone graft procedures, a few days of rest may be needed. For smaller procedures, the rest time could be minimal.

Right after the procedure, you are supposed to bite onto the gauze over the surgical site for one hour. Even though the bleeding has stopped when you are discharged, it is normal to taste blood.

Do not spit out, rinse your mouth or brush your teeth for 24 hours. Swallow your saliva instead. Rinsing your mouth and spitting out may dislodge the blood clot and bleeding may start again.

The surgical site usually stays numb for approximately two hours. Food and hot drinks should not be consumed until the sensation has recovered. After that, eat over the normal, un-treated area. It is crucial to take all the medication as prescribed and keep your follow-up appointment to ensure uneventful healing.

You may contact our office during office hours or contact our emergency number after office hours. If you have left Singapore, please contact your local A&E department.

Implant teeth look and function very similar to our natural teeth. They should be cleaned in a similar way. Twice daily brushing of the teeth and the gums is essential to their functional longevity. Regular toothbrush and regular toothpaste are sufficient for daily hygiene maintenance.

If the implants are supporting a removable denture, the denture and the implants should be cleaned separately. Removable dentures are best left out of the mouth in a glass of water while you are sleeping. This allows some 'breathing time' for the gums. It is crucial that the implant teeth are checked by your doctor every six months.

NO! Most dental implant procedures can be performed in a predictable manner in an out-patient setting. You may come in for the procedure and leave the clinic within a short time. You daily routine will not be interrupted.

Yes! Even though most dental implant procedures can be performed in an out-patient setting, there are times that individuals may choose to have the procedures done in a hospital setting. That may require a little bit more time but that may put your mind at ease in terms of professional care, and availability of medical equipment. Do bear in mind that the hospital charges are an additional cost on top of the dental procedure costs.