Q: How much would each dental implant cost in total?
Q: Is it worthwhile to spend so much for an implant?
Q: Am I a candidate for a dental implant?
Q: What happens without treatment?
Q: How long can each dental implant last?
Q: What are the associated risks of having a dental implant?
Q: What brands of dental implants do you offer in Singapore?
Q: What are the benefits of an implant over say, dentures or dental bridges?
Q: What should I do if I have a missing tooth? Bridge or a dental implant?
Q: Will it hurt when placing the dental implants in my mouth?
Q: Can I use Medisave for my dental implant treatment?
Q: If I do an implant procedure, how many days MC do I get?
Q: What is the total duration of the dental implant surgery procedure?
Q: Do I have to go without any teeth while I wait 3 months for my implant crown?
Q: What can I expect 1- 2 days after the implant surgery?
Additional Surgical Procedures
Q: Do I require a bone graft before I place a dental implant in my jaw?
Q: What is the cost for a bone graft?
Q: What kind of bone does Singapore use for bone grafting?
Q: How do i choose a dental implant dentist?
Success and failure of Dental Implants
Q: What factors contribute to the rate of success?
About Dental Implants
Q: How much would each dental implant cost in total? (back)
A: Between SGD$3700 - SGD$6000.
- The dental implant surgery cost around SGD$2000 inclusive of the dental implant component (titanium root).
- The dental implant crown, or prosthodontics portion (making the porcelain dental implant crown) cost is estimated around SGD$2000.
(see also Ministry of Health’s average cost for institutions)
Q: Is it worthwhile to spend so much for an implant?(back)
Most people find this investment to be worthwhile and consider dental implants to be almost identical to their normal healthy teeth.
Q: What are dental implants?(back)
A: Dental implants are metal (Titanium) “root” placed in the jaw to carry artificial teeth to replace missing teeth.
Q: Am I a candidate for a dental implant?(back)
A: A person with adequate jaw bone is usually suitable for dental implant.
Q: What happens without treatment?(back)
When you lose your teeth, you also start to lose the bone that once supported them as well. As bone disappears, nearby teeth begin to develop increased problems such as lack of support for bridges and dentures. Also, the possibility of jaw fracture rises due to loss of bone structure.
This deterioration spreads to surrounding healthy teeth and in time, through a ‘domino effect’, cause the loss of those teeth. This will affect the ability to undergo implant surgery at a later stage compared to doing the treatment once the tooth is loss. It is better to do the treatment before all these negative effects start to take place.
By waiting, you decrease your chances of doing a simple implant surgery and increase your risk of undergoing additional treatments to prepare the bone at the implant site. Procedures like bone grafting and sinus lift might be required and could have been avoided if treatment was administered in the early stages of bone loss.
Q: How long can each dental implant last?(back)
A: An implant restoration can last a lifetime, provided the oral health is well maintained.
Q: What are the associated risks of having a dental implant?(back)
A: As with any surgery, complications can happen E.g. infection of the implant site. But infection can be treated in most cases.
Q: What brands of dental implants do you offer in Singapore?(back)
A: Singapore offers a variety of implants to meet the patient’s needs. The brands include Camlog, Noble Biocare (Branemark, Replace-select), Osstem, 3I, Bicon and many others that I will be listing as they make their presence known.
Tooth Replacement options
Q: What are the benefits of an implant over say, dentures or dental bridges?(back)
A: Teeth on dental implants are “fixed”, unlike dentures which are removable. Replacing teeth with dental implants does not involve “cutting” adjacent teeth as in a bridge preparation.
Q: What should I do if I have a missing tooth? Bridge or a dental implant?(back)
A: This is one of the most frequently asked questions by patients to dentist.
Let’s look at each option:
Bridge: Your dentist would have to “sacrifice” your 2 perfectly excellent set of teeth and “grind” it down to 2 small stumps so that he can place a 3 unit bridge where the outermost units would be cemented onto the newly renovated ’stumps’ just so that the middle unit can be placed to cover the missing tooth. To get your queen back, you need to sacrifice 2 rooks.
Implant: Your 2 adjacent teeth unscathed and a titanium root is placed exactly where the missing tooth is, thereby “acting as a root”. After 3 months, your implant crown would be placed and you have yourself a perfect set of teeth once again.
The added benefit to this titanium root is that it would lessen bone loss from the missing tooth location as it is acting like a normal root that applies frequent pressure to the bone, and the bone seeing that it still has a purpose in life would continue to exist.
In the case of the bridge, since it is a bridge that “floats” above the gums and bone, there is no pressure to the bone and this lack of pressure causes the bone to regress (bone loss) as there is no purpose for its existence.
Looking at Singapore’s high standards of dentistry coupled with the high success rate of dental implants, we’ll have to go with the dental implants.
Dental Implant Surgery
Q: Will it hurt when placing the dental implants in my mouth?(back)
A: The actual procedure to surgically place a dental implant is done either under local anesthesia or general anesthesia.
Generally, the only discomfort you will feel is when the local anesthesia is administered, after which you should feel any pain or discomfort when the dentist is placing the implants. The anesthesia wears off after 3 or 4 hours and you might expect some discomfort.
Discomfort levels vary from patient to patient and most patients do not have much discomfort due to the painkillers that the dentist prescribes after the operation.
In some cases, patients have varying degrees of discomfort or even pain which may last for several days; in these cases of prolonged pain, you should see your dentist immediately as this is not a good sign. Let your dentist determine the cause of this pain and rectify the problem.
Q: Can I use Medisave for my dental implant treatment?(back)
A: You can use your Medisave (or parents/ sibling’s medisave) for part of the treatment fees. The Medisave claimable ranges from SGD$600 to SGD$1,200 depending on the complexity of the case. All Medisave claims for are subject to CPF’s (Central Provident Fund) approval.
Q: If I do an implant procedure, how many days MC do I get?(back)
A: You get about 2 to 5 days MC.
Q: What is the total duration of the dental implant surgery procedure?(back)
A: The surgical procedure to place the dental implant will take about 60 - 90 minutes. After which, the tooth (implant crown) can be placed 3 months later. In some cases the crown can be placed earlier.
Q: Why is there a 3 months waiting period for the dental implant crown to be placed on the dental implant?(back)
A: This time period is given for the bone around the dental implant to fuse and attach to the dental implant.
Q: Do I have to go without any teeth while I wait 3 months for my implant crown?(back)
A: Now that dentistry is not only about function but also about aesthetics, patients seldom will have to go without any ‘teeth’ as temporal alternatives can be given like dentures or a temporary implant crown to wait out the 3 months.
Q: After my implant surgery, I can see the metal of the implant protruding out of my gums, is it any cause for concern?(back)
A: No. It’s perfectly fine if you can see the implant beneath the gums as the gums would wear thin from pressure caused by food, brushing of teeth etc. If there is no pain, there’s not cause for concern. But it is important to keep the area clean.
Q: What can I expect 1- 2 days after the implant surgery?(back)
A: You might feel some discomfort around the implant site due to swelling around the area. The dentist might prescribe anti-swelling pills that would cause this swelling to subside. In some cases, patients may develop a blue-black discoloration around the cheek area closes to the implant site due to the blood clotting after the surgery.
Additional Surgical Procedures
Q: Do I require a bone graft before I place a dental implant in my jaw?(back)
A: It depends on the amount of bone available at the site for the implant.
Q: What is the cost for a bone graft?(back)
A: It ranges from SGD$200 to SGD$2,000 depending on the complexity of the procedure
Q: What kind of bone does Singapore use for bone grafting?(back)
A: There are 2 kinds of bone that can be used:
1. There is processed bone (cow bone) available commercially or
2. bone taken from the patient E.g. from another site in the jaw or from the hips Post-Operation concerns
Choosing an Implant Dentist
Q: How do i choose a dental implant dentist?(back)
Not all dentists have adequate training and education in this new field of Implantology. They may (unintentionally) discourage this option due to lack of knowledge about this procedure. In majority of cases in Singapore, general dentist prefer to refer difficult cases to an experienced oral surgeon that specializes in dental implantology.
The most common implant dentist is the Oral Surgeon, on top of other invasive procedures he performs (jaw surgery, wisdom teeth surgery, etc) dental implant surgery can be considered a central component of the treatments done.
The most common dentist that does the implant restoration is a Prosthodontist (a dentist that specializes in crowns).
That being said, in Singapore, any qualified dentist (General Practitioner) is able to do implant surgery on a patient. Most training and education to do with implants is done by the Implant companies that hire dentists that are experience in doing implants to give a seminar or course. After attending that course, a certification is given to the dentist.
There are some dentists that perform the surgical portion (Implant surgery) and some perform the restoration portion (Implant crown/ tooth). Our advice is to find a dental clinic that caters to both portions of the implant, this way you don’t have to run around finding different dentist!
So once you’ve decided for implants, choose a dentist wisely and find out:
- What specialty is he?
- How many years experience has he got in dealing with implants?
- Any qualifications or additional education in the field of Implantology?
- What is his success rate of implants?
If you would like a recommendation for an implant dentist, please contact me with your requirements.
Success and failure of Dental Implants
Q: What factors contribute to the rate of success?(back)
There are a few factors that contribute to the rate of success for dental implants
- Surgeon’s skill
How experienced the dentist is at this field and what level of further education has he got related to Implantology. - Quality and quantity of bone at the site
If the bone located at the implant site has enough mass and if the bone healthy (no infection or bacteria within the bone)
- Patient’s oral hygiene
How well and often that patient takes care of their teeth as dental implants require the same care as normal healthy teeth.
Various studies have found that the success rate of implants can be as high as 95%. Patients who smoke will inevitably experience poorer success rates.
Quite a detailed explanation of dental implants, but i was wondering if you’ve got any information on rejection of the implant as my friend had 2 implants done and now is having problems with only 1 of them. How is this possible?
Thanks Singapore Dentist!
You mean it’s possible to have implants rejected? I’ve never heard of that before. Dental implants is something that’s supposed to last a lifetime right?
i lost my 2 front teeth in the middle - one about 10 years ago and replaced with a bridge. Then i lost the other one supporting the bridge a month ago and now wearing an immediate denture.
Can you recommend an implant dentist?
i’ve been reading up on the type of implants? how do i know which is better? eg branemark or bicon?
Thank you.
Hi there Mel!
Thanks for your comment! Many patients with bridges have experienced exactly what you’re experiencing - the tooth supporting the bridge has become loose over time, which resulted in the entire “London-bridge-falling-down”. I will be coming up with section on recommended dentist according to specialty (e.g. Implants, Braces etc).
I need a few details about your concerns (e.g. cost, experience, atmosphere, amount of further education on Implantology) before being able to recommend the right dentist for your situation.
But in a nutshell: find an experienced dental surgeon where dental implant surgery is somewhat their forte (i.e. a dental implant clinic/centre). An important note: Find a dental clinic that also does the crown portion of the implant (the portion that looks like your real tooth). Rational? So you don’t have to go to another dental clinic to do the implant crown (unnecessary inconvenience).
If it makes you feel more at ease, find a dentist that has undergone or is undergoing a structured course in Implantology (a formal education given by a reputable Dental/Medical University ). The field of dental implants is vast and you want your dentist to be “in the know”, so a dentist undergoing a University linked dental implant course equips the dentist to be “in the know”.
Lastly, about dental implants brands: I’m going to be very honest with you, if you ask a dentist A that is using X brand of dental implants, he’ll say that that’s the best implant system in the world! You’ll get the same answer from dentist B using Y brand implants. Basically, all the major dental implant systems are very similar (even though marketing efforts have been targeted at differentiation of implant systems).
Hope you found that informative!
MySingaporeDentist.com
I hope you can help me with this, doc!
My mum has willingly stepped into a dental clinic, Healthway Dental Surgery at Bishan. She was told that the payment charges are between 35 to 65, depending on her treatment. After the dentist has checked her tooth, he suggested to remove two of my mum’s teeth and she was asked to pay $165 (that includes filling the gum?), which in my opinion, has exceeded her budget. She was then referred to NDC C, a periodontist, which again I don’t know how much she is going to pay.
So my questions are, Is it worth it and is the dentist over-charging her? Also, is going to a polyclinic first better for her? Otherwise, what can she do?
Thank you and i look forward to your reply!
Hi Alan,
I’m just giving my 2 cents worth… cos I’ve had something like that happen to me before.
I think what the dentist quoted for your mum was only for the initial consultation (if not then what was it for?) and did not include the 2 extractions.
Many times dentist will quote a price like $80 for consultation + Scaling and polishing. But as they are checking your teeth, the dentist finds some other stuff that need to be done - like some fillings, decay that needs to be treated or even tooth that need to be taken out. So they’ll tell you that you need to take out your 2 teeth for example but didn’t tell you the fees it will cost. I’ve come up with a few reasons why:
1. Cos they assume that your saw the price list outside in the waiting room
2. They’re not sure how much to charge yet as it can vary from person to person
3. They’re not sure how much to charge as it might vary due to the amount of work that needs to be done (simple - cheaper, complex - higher)
4. Too absorbed in helping & treating the patient that they forget to inform you (this is most of the time the case, cos I’ve asked some dentist friends about this kind of situation)
5. Assume that you will be willing to pay for the fees as you agreed by nodding your head and trying to talk with all the tubes in your mouth, saying a mumbled “uh okay” when he said “I need to do this and this for you..okay?”
So I just want you guys to know that it is also your responsibility to ask how much a treatment would cost instead of just nodding your head. I nodded my head to a few fillings and some kind of jet spray that cost me another $170 on top of my initial normal cleaning of $60 bucks.
But since I’m already seeing the dentist, might as well get everything over and done with… So I’m saying that I would pay but sometimes just want to know how much it’s going to cost so I won’t get shocked during payment.
So now I always ask how much it would cost for something that just pops out of the ordinary. It’s like you order Chilli Crab from a seafood restaurant and never ask the price then kena shocked (so Ex!) or pleasantly surprised (so Cheap!) when later you ask for the bill.
Answers your question?
Hi there Alan!
Thanks for you comment and question. And thanks to Matt too for that insightful response.
What Matt said is very true *like the part about the chilli crab btw. Dentists most of the time are way to engrossed with treating the problems (i.e. cavities, tartar, cleaning hard to reach places) that they forget to inform you about the price. It is your responsibility to ask the dentist how much the treatment that he quoted would cost.
On to your issue about going to a polyclinic: I’ve just added for you a list of polyclinics that offer dental treatment (not all do). This page under can be found here or under ‘Dental Polyclinics’ found in the ‘Resources’ menu on the bottom right of this website. When you go to these dental clinics (already experiencing a subsidized rate) and get referred to National Dental Centre (NDC), you too will get a subsidized rate. here or under ‘Dental Polyclinics’ found in the ‘Resources’ menu on the bottom right of this website. When you go to these dental clinics (already experiencing a subsidized rate) and get referred to National Dental Centre (NDC), you too will get a subsidized rate. (see also NDC’s website on payment matters)
But being referred by a neighbourhood dentist doesn’t give you any subsidy, other than a point of reference to a periodontist that your first dentist gave. Your mum will be treated and charged like any other private patient. Your dentist’s reason for referring is either: a) Knows him as a fantastic periodontist/ specialist that from prior refered patients, proved to be so, (b) Went to dental school together and plays the occasional 18 holes on Sat, (c) Heard of him from somebody who knows somebody who knows him or (d) all of the above. Most likely, it’s going to be (a).
As for specialist charges? Logically, a specialist like a periodontist will charge higher than a General Practitioner due to the additional 2 - 5 years of additional studies specifically in this field of Periodontal Dentistry. So depending on your Mum’s gum condition (which if she doesn’t go to the dentist regulaly and has poor oral hygiene - pretty bad, or if she goes regularly and has textbook Oral hygiene habits - pretty good), cost will range from the different number of sessions the Periodontist will have to take to treat her periodontal(gum) condition. Deep scaling could cost around $150 - $200 per hour for an experienced specialist, so it depends on how sever your mum’s condition is.
So what to do? It really depends on your concerns:
If you’ve got time to spare and don’t mind the waiting, call up the dental polyclinic closest to her home and book an appointment. But you MUST MAKE SURE she’s eligible for the subsidized rate. So that when they refer her over, it’s going to be subsidized as well. Also, not all treatments are subsidizable. So you’ll need to find out what treatment she was referred over for and ask if that treatment is subsidizable.
If you don’t have time to spare and don’t mind paying normal rate, go for the existing appointment.
Hope this reply was useful for you Alan.
Editor | MySingaporeDentist.com
Thanks editor for the info, great site over here! Going down to get my teeth checked by one of the Colgate dentists. Let you know about my visit.
I’m looking to do an implant for a missing teeth that broke off and now i know what to ask my dentist and even which dentist to go. Great help!
Is it fesaible (putting aside the costs) to have a mini-implant done for an entire lower jaw ? Also will the patient need to be put under general anesthesia ?
Thanks for your advise
Hi,
I had a root canal done on my side front teeth and thereafter a semi-metal crown on it 8 years ago. After the crown was put on, there were some slight swelling and bleeding around the gum above this crown (esp after i floss/brush). This persisted for years, until recently the affected gum area seems to turn a bit dark pink / grey and seems to have receded a little bit.
I’m not sure of the cause of this. But is it too late to “save” my gum now? If not too late, what can be done? Should i do a recrown with a full porcelain crown? Would this help?
If so, any good dentists to recommend? What is the cost of a full porcelain crown? Thanks.
Hi,
Can anyone recommend a good dental surgeon and one that is not expensive.My dad needs to do implants for the upper and lower teeth. The present one quotes 20 to 30K (2stubs lower and 4stubs upper with metal plates included)Its way to expensive for me to handle. But I also want my dad to have the comfort and ability to eat what he wants.
Can anyone help?
Hi there,
I Currently have a bridge for a missing front tooth.
It was a few years ago, and I have been told that there has been some bone loss and gum recession where the tooth is missing.
I lost the tooth due to a gum infection, which has healed, but over the two years, has occasionally flared up again.
The tooth next to the gap is dead and would also need to have an implant.
I have had a quote from SmileFocus which was very expensive and I’m going to have an appointment at the NUS Dental clinic.
Is there anyone you could recommend who has great experience dealing with Implants, Bone Loss and infection etc.
Thankyou very much for any suggestions.
I am thinking of going for dental implant. I am currently wearing denture (2 front teeth) for already 20 years, can it still be done? My other teeths are also not in very good condition as they are getting loose and receding from gum.
thanks & looking forward to your reply.
Can you recommend me a implant dentist.. tks urgent
How much does an empress crown cost in Singapore? Thanks
Can you recommend me a implant dentist.. tks urgent as i am travelling to china dalian in end of Jan 2010.
my situation:
last november 2008, i have done 2 bridging on my lower front four tooths (a,b,c,d) (left to right). 2 bridge. now one of the tooth a root is infected and start protuding out and smell awful. my jaw and gum start swelling and i am now experiencing fever and pain and have to take panadol / clove oil to relief the pain.
i forsee that i need to have the tooth a remove, but because it is bridge, i am not sure what is the best solution to go.
i need the following info urgently.
1. a recommended implant dentist.
2. cost of implant 1 tooth (do i have to remove all 4 tooths)?
3. how frequent for follow-up ? i will be station in dalian for 1 year.
4. can i use medisheild for this?
karen
hi
thnx for the great info. need good recommendations for mini dental implants. preferably affordable as well. have many missing teeth on upper and lower jaws have been missing for 3-4 years already . currently 43, male…
go to china and KL for your dental treatment cos they are as good as singapore dental staff who just charge more than what they are really worth!
off course, ensure they have certifications from known
dental schools bychecking with locals there or read up thru their local websites!
Lost one of my molar almost one year ago. Have been reading that bone structure will reduce over time. Intending to do implant but worry that my delay may hinder the implant. Also would you be able to recommend a good dentist to do implant?