Implant dentistry is a highly specialised field for replacing missing teeth with titanium fixtures placed in the jawbone. These fixtures are used to support the missing teeth.

Dentists will place the titanium fixtures and some time is necessary for bone to heal completely around these fixtures, after which crowns can be placed via intermediate abutments.

In T32, we use computer-aided implant treatment whereby modern technologies are available to improve the predictability and safety of implant treatment. In T32 Dental Centre, the recent development of our digital workspace has fully integrated the various modern technologies to provide a one-stop facility for planning and performing Computer-Aided Implant Treatment. 

Our specialists have collaborated with various institutions and private clinics to teach and further enhance the predictability and safety of implant treatment. The use of specialised computer software and digital 3-dimensional x-ray facility has allowed our dentists to plan and perform implant surgeries in virtual space. This serves to prepare our dentists during the performance of the actual surgery and hence improving the safety and predictability of your implant treatment. Specialised laboratory equipment and trained technicians are available on-site to ensure a precision fit and quality of your new teeth. 

Benefits of Dental Implants

1. Improve chewing efficiency
   Dental implants allow the application of higher bite force when compared to dentures. Hence, patients with implants can chew better and more effectively. This will translate to food tasting better.
2. No pain from dentures
   Loose and ill-fitting dentures can cause ulcers and cuts into the gum tissue. Using implants, the denture can be secured and hence, preventing such painful daily experience.
3. Anti-aging effect
   The lost of teeth will lead a “sunken-in” appearance. Such an appearance is typically associated with aging. When patients replace their teeth, these teeth will support the lips and cheeks to eliminate the “sunken-in” appearance.
4. Better health through better diet
   Compromises in chewing efficiency will affect the choice of food in our daily diet. When chewing efficiency is affected, patients tend to favor soft food, which is high in sugar and fat content, and avoid fibrous or tougher food, which is high in protein and vitamins. Replacing teeth with dental implants will enable patients to have a more balanced diet through improvement in chewing efficiency.
5. Improve self esteem and confidence
   Missing teeth or loose dentures can negatively impact our patients’ self esteem and confidence. Patient with such problems tend to avoid smiling, speaking or engaging in social activities. However, with adequate replacement of teeth, patients can then confidently speak and smile without the fear of denture dropping midway through a conversation.

Treatment Process

1. What you can expect at the first consultation?
   1. Relevant x-rays will be taken and comprehensive examination by our dentists. 
   2. Our dentist will then discuss your pre-existing dental condition and treatment required to save your own teeth.
   3. Discussion of treatment plan for implants including duration of treatment, phases of treatment, implant brands and materials used, cost as well as maintenance protocol will be done.
2. Placement of Implant
   1. Dentists will gently insert a titanium implant under local anesthesia in our purpose-built surgical suites.
   2. Implant surgeries can also be done under sedation during which patients sleep throughout the procedure.
   3. The implant is allowed to heal for about 1-2 months, during which the bone is allowed to heal around the implant. A temporary restoration may be placed during this phase so that patients can still have teeth during the healing stage.
3. Placement of new teeth
   1. After osseointegration of the titanium implants to bone, dentists will take a mould of your implants.
   2. Each crown is custom-made by our in-house technician. The crown is made to match to the neighboring teeth as close as possible so as to achieve a good esthetic outcome
4. Care for your implants
   1. Implants are like our natural teeth and need to be cleaned daily. They also need to be checked regularly and be cleaned by dentists.
   2. Professional cleaning of implants is done with special instruments; otherwise the implant surface will be damaged.
5. How long is the surgery?
   1. In most cases, implant surgeries can be completed in 30 minutes. However, adequate time should be given for the patient to have all his/her questions answered. Also, time should also be allowed for the patient to be prepared for the surgery in an unhurried fashion.
6. Is the surgery painful?
   1. Most implant surgeries are pain-free. In fact, almost 90% of our patients do not need painkillers beyond the second day. However, we would recommend for the patient to take the prescribed painkillers on the first day.
   2. For patients who are anxious, implant surgery can be done under intra-venous sedation (IV sedation). During this form of sedation, patients will be sleeping while implant surgery is being done.

Dental Implant Financing

1. Patient education and consultation
   At T32, we understand the concerns in the road to regaining your confidence. As such, patient education and counseling is important such that you fully understand your dental condition and the eventual proposed treatment plan for you.

   Before our dentists are able to confirm whether dental implants are the appropriate treatment for you, they would need to:

   • examine your dental condition with the review of an x-ray and/or CT scan of your jaw and teeth, 
   • discuss your medical history and other concerns that you may have, and
   • thereafter present the proposed treatment plans to you.
2. Dental implant cost
   The cost of implant treatment is dependent on the following factors.
   1. Experience and skill level of the dentist
   2. The brand and reliability of implant used
   3. The type of material used to fabricate the teeth
   4. Whether additional adjunct procedures are required

   We encourage you speak with our professionals to find out more about the dental implant treatments available for your condition, dental implant costs, price ranges and other fees applicable.

3. Medisave

   If you are a Singaporean or a permanent resident of Singapore, Medisave may be utilised for the surgical component of dental implant treatment.

   Our friendly front desk staff will be happy to assist in processing your Medisave claim. For more details on Medisave coverage, please visit our Medisave page.

4. Insurance Claim
   Please check with your insurance advisors with regards to your dental insurance coverage. Our patient care counselors will be able to assist with the details on the insurance claim forms, after which patients will submit these to their insurance companies. You may enquire through our website to check if your insurance company has an existing arrangement with our clinic.

FAQs on Dental Implant

1. Who are suitable candidates for this procedure?
   1. Most patients are suitable candidates for implant treatment. In general, if a patient is in reasonably good health, the patient can undergo dental implant treatment.
   2. Patients with conditions like uncontrolled diabetes and high blood pressure are not suitable for dental implant treatment. However, they can still have implant treatment once they have brought those conditions under control.
   3. Our advice is to have a thorough examination (including 3-dimensional x-rays) with your specialist. It is often not advisable to proceed with implant treatment without first having a detailed discussion with your dentist.
2. What will happen without treatment?
   1. When a single tooth is lost, the surrounding bone will shrink. Neighbouring teeth can drift out of position, and opposing teeth may grow into the space left by the missing tooth.
   2. When multiple teeth are lost, patients can look aged due to loss of support for the lips.
3. How long do implants last?
   1. According to current research, implants have a success rate of 95% over 10 years. However, over these decades, parts of the implant may need replacement. Hence, it is important to use implant that is manufactured by reputable companies, as these companies will provide old parts when necessary.
4. Do the implants need special maintenance?
   1. Implants are like our natural teeth and need to be cleaned daily. They also need to be checked regularly and be cleaned by the dentists. Professional cleaning of implants is done with special instruments; otherwise the implant surface will be damaged.
5. How do I choose a dentist for this procedure?
   1. Firstly, find out if the dentist has relevant post-graduate qualifications as implant training is not done in most undergraduate programme. Some structured post-graduate training in implant dentistry is necessary for the dentist to gain the required knowledge and skills. The dentist should regularly attend lectures and hands-on course as theses courses are important for constant upgrading of the dentist's skills and knowledge.
   2. It is also important to see before and after photos of work performed by the dentist. This is because, before and after photos of work performed by dentist will provide an idea of the possible final outcome. Also, these photos can also be used to gauge the dentist's experience in the specific clinical situation.
   3. Last but not least, find out if the dentist will be using modern technology to ensure safety and reliability of your implant treatment. Modern technology to ensure safety and reliability includes 3-dimensional x-rays, implant-planning software etc.