Dental Implants
A dental implant is a titanium fixture that is permanently integrated into your jaw. It serves as a platform and supports a dental prosthesis such as a crown, bridge, or denture. Currently, a dental implant is the best replacement option for missing teeth because it does not damage other teeth and can perfectly adapt to your bones and gums just like a normal anatomical tooth. Dental implants have extremely high success rates compared to other replacement options and thus may be a better long-term option in spite of the larger upfront cost.
What To Expect During Dental Implant Procedures
Consultation.
The process of a dental implant procedure begins with a dental comprehensive examination. Our dentist will listen to your chief complaint, followed by a thorough examination of your mouth. Radiographs will be taken to evaluate the surrounding bone and teeth. Based on the findings and your medical history, our dentist will talk you through the treatment plan and procedure.
Implant placement.
Once you are satisfied with the treatment plan, the next step is to place the implant. Our dentist will perform a minor surgical procedure under local anaesthetic. The experience is not too different from having a filling and will generally last 20 minutes. You will be given a little stitch where the surgery is performed. This is removed 1 week later during your post-operative review. You will experience some minor swelling around the implant site after the procedure which is completely normal. You will be given medication to ensure you have a speedy recovery. Full recovery generally takes a few days.
Healing period.
It takes 3 to 6 months for the implant to integrate with the surrounding bone. During this time you may have a temporary made to replace the missing tooth.
Implant crown placement.
After 3 to 6 months of healing, we will take an impression of your teeth to make your implant crown. This is a comfortable process and does not require local anaesthetic. 1 to 2 weeks later your crown will be placed permanently on the implant, thus restoring full function and aesthetic back to your oral cavity.
Why You Should Get Your Dental Implants Done With Us
Thomson Dental Centre utilises the most up-to-date techniques and systems to bring you the best implant treatment available today:
Life-long implant.
We believe in using materials with a proven track record for longevity. Thus, we exclusively place well-known and well-researched implant systems such as Straumann Implant Systems.
3D radiography.
We are one of the few practices to have a 3D CBCT scanner on site to help us better plan your treatment.
Personalised in-house dentistry.
Our implant crowns are made on-site by our in-house dental technicians who will match the colour of your implant crown to your natural teeth as close as possible.
Specialist and general practitioners.
We have general practitioners and specialists to cater to any possible treatment plan, complex or simple.
Tackling the difficult cases.
We have also treated many patients who have been told that they are unsuitable to have implant treatment due to a lack of bone. To overcome this problem, we have specialists to regenerate bone and enable you to have an implant placed.