Dental implants
Dental Implants in Singapore
Losing a tooth affects more than your smile. It can change how you chew, how you speak, and how the teeth around the gap behave over time.
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Dental implants at a glance
A dental implant replaces the missing tooth root as well as the tooth you see. At Align Dental Surgery on Orchard Road, every implant is planned from a 3D scan of your jaw, so you know what to expect before anything begins.
Not everyone needs an implant, and we will talk you through bridges and dentures too.
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| Quick fact | At Align |
|---|---|
| What it is | A titanium post that replaces a tooth root, topped with a connector (abutment) and a crown |
| Who places it | Our senior dentists; complex cases are planned as a team |
| Planning | In-house 3D CBCT scan and digital intraoral scan; 3D implant planning with our lab; a surgical guide in most cases |
| Surgery time | About 1 hour per implant |
| Comfort options | Local anaesthetic, nitrous oxide ("laughing gas"), or IV sedation given by a specialist anaesthetist |
| Total treatment time | Usually 3 to 6 months; longer if bone grafting is needed |
| Time off | Medical certificate of about 5 days is typically given after implant surgery |
| Also available | Bone grafting, sinus lifts, immediate implants (selected cases), full-arch implant teeth |
| Payment | MediSave for eligible surgical components; direct insurance billing if your plan covers implants |
| Where | 583 Orchard Road, #01-07/08/09 Forum The Shopping Mall, Singapore 238884 |
What is a dental implant?
A natural tooth has two parts: the crown you see, and the root that anchors it in the jaw. When a tooth is lost, a bridge or denture replaces only the crown. An implant replaces the root as well.
Over the weeks after placement, bone grows tightly onto the implant surface. This bonding is called osseointegration, and it is what lets an implant take the force of chewing.
An implant tooth has three parts
- Implant: a small titanium post that sits in the jawbone, where the root used to be.
- Abutment: a connector that joins the implant to the tooth above the gum.
- Crown: the visible tooth, made to match the shape and shade of your own teeth.
What can dental implants replace?
| Teeth missing | Usual option |
|---|---|
| One tooth | One implant with a single crown |
| Several teeth in a row | Two or more implants supporting a bridge, so not every tooth needs its own implant |
| All teeth in an arch | Full-arch implant teeth: a fixed set of teeth on several implants, or a removable denture that clips onto implants |
Why consider a dental implant?
For the right patient, an implant can
- Let you chew firmly, without a plate moving around.
- Replace a tooth without drilling down the healthy teeth next to the gap, as a conventional bridge requires.
- Help keep the jawbone in place. After a tooth is lost, the bone underneath slowly shrinks; an implant gives it work to do.
- Stop neighbouring teeth from drifting or tilting into the gap.
- Look and feel close to a natural tooth.
Implants still need surgery, healing time and lifelong care. They are a strong option, not the only one.
Am I suitable for dental implants?
Most healthy adults whose jaw has finished growing can be considered. Age alone does not rule anyone out; what matters is your oral health, general health and the bone available.
At your assessment we look at
- Gum health. Active gum disease needs treating first, because it is also the main threat to an implant later.
- Bone. The implant needs enough bone of the right height and width. Your CBCT scan shows this in 3D.
- General health and medicines. Diabetes, osteoporosis medicines, blood thinners and some cancer treatments can affect healing. We may ask your doctor for input before going ahead.
- Smoking. Smoking slows healing and raises the risk of implant problems. Cutting down or stopping helps.
- Grinding or clenching. Heavy bite forces can strain implants. A night guard may be recommended.
What if I don't have enough bone?
Bone shrinks after a tooth is lost, sometimes quickly. If there is not enough bone to hold an implant, it can often be rebuilt.
- Bone grafting adds bone or bone substitute to the area. Small grafts are often done at the same visit as the implant; larger ones may need a few months of healing first.
- Sinus lifts are used for upper back teeth, where the sinus sits close above the jaw. The sinus floor is gently raised and bone is added beneath it. We do both techniques in-house: a crestal lift through the implant site for smaller gains, and a lateral window lift for larger ones.
Grafting adds time and cost. Your CBCT scan tells us whether you need it before you commit to anything.
Your dental implant journey at Align
- Assessment and 3D scan. We listen to your concerns and examine your teeth, gums and bite. A CBCT scan, taken in our clinic, shows the bone, nerves and sinuses in 3D. A digital intraoral scan records your teeth without messy impressions.
- Digital planning. Once we agree on the plan, your scans go to our dental lab for 3D implant planning. The implant's position is set on screen around the final tooth you need. In most cases a surgical guide is made so the implant goes exactly where it was planned.
- Preparing the mouth, if needed. Some patients need gum treatment, an extraction, or bone grafting first. Others go straight to implant placement.
- Implant placement. The implant is placed under local anaesthetic, with sedation if you prefer. Each implant takes about an hour. You will feel pressure, but the area is fully numb.
- Healing. The implant bonds with the bone over the next few months. A temporary tooth can usually be arranged so you are not left with a gap where it shows.
- Your final tooth. We scan the implant, the lab makes your abutment and crown, and we fit them and check your bite. Then you begin regular reviews.
From placement to final tooth usually takes 3 to 6 months. Extractions or grafting can extend this; your plan will show the timeline before you start.
Will it hurt? Comfort options
The area is fully numbed, so you should feel pressure but not pain during the surgery. Afterwards, most people describe soreness similar to a tooth extraction, managed with the medicines we prescribe.
| Option | What it feels like | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Local anaesthetic | Awake and numb in the treatment area | Most single implants |
| Nitrous oxide ("laughing gas") | Relaxed and calm; wears off within minutes, so you can usually leave on your own | Mild to moderate nerves |
| IV sedation | Deeply relaxed, often with little memory of the procedure; given and monitored by a specialist anaesthetist | Anxious patients, longer or multiple-implant surgery, full-arch treatment |
Immediate implants: can it be done the same day?
Sometimes. In selected cases, the implant can be placed on the same day a tooth is removed. This needs healthy bone and gums around the socket and no active infection.
A same-day implant does not always mean a same-day tooth; often the implant still heals for a few months before the final crown.
Full-arch implants: replacing all your teeth
If you have lost most of your teeth, or wear a denture you are unhappy with, a whole arch can be replaced on a small number of implants. The new teeth are either fixed in place or clip onto the implants and come out for cleaning.
Full-arch treatment is planned in detail and is often done under IV sedation.
Dental implant, bridge or denture?
An implant is one way to replace a missing tooth. The right choice depends on the teeth beside the gap, your bone, your health and what matters most to you.
Learn more
| Compared | Dental implant | Dental bridge | Removable denture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Held by | The jawbone | The teeth on either side | The gums, sometimes clasps on other teeth |
| Neighbouring teeth | Left untouched | Usually trimmed to hold crowns | Left untouched, but clasps can add load |
| Bone under the gap | Helps keep it | Continues to shrink slowly | Continues to shrink slowly |
| Surgery | Yes | No | No |
| Time to final tooth | Usually 3 to 6 months | About 2 to 3 weeks | A few weeks |
| Daily care | Brush and clean around it like a tooth | Clean under the bridge with floss threaders or brushes | Removed for cleaning |
Dental implant cost in Singapore: what affects it
Every implant plan is different, so we give you a written, itemised estimate after your assessment rather than a one-size price.
The total depends on
- How many implants and what they support (a crown, a bridge or a full arch)
- Whether you need an extraction, bone graft or sinus lift
- The crown material and the type of abutment
- Your choice of sedation
- Temporary teeth during healing
When comparing quotes, check whether the scan, surgical guide, abutment, crown, reviews and GST are included.
Can I use MediSave for dental implants?
MediSave can be used for the surgical parts of implant treatment, such as implant placement and bone grafting, up to the withdrawal limits set by CPF. It does not cover the abutment or crown, so it usually pays for part of the bill, not all of it.
We will confirm the claimable amount with you before treatment.
Will my insurance pay?
We offer direct billing when your plan covers implants. Cover varies a lot between plans, so we check with your insurer before you start.
Learn more
Recovery after implant surgery
- First 24 hours: expect some numbness, oozing and swelling. Rest, keep your head raised and use a cold pack on the cheek.
- First few days: swelling and soreness peak at around day 2 to 3, then settle. Eat soft, cool foods and chew on the other side. A medical certificate of about 5 days is typically given.
- First week: avoid smoking, alcohol, strenuous exercise and swimming. Rinse gently as instructed and keep the area clean.
- Call us if you have bleeding that won't stop, swelling that gets worse after day 3, fever, or a loose implant or temporary tooth.
Caring for your implant long term
An implant cannot decay, but the gum and bone around it can still become inflamed. This is called peri-implantitis, and plaque is the main cause.
- Brush twice a day and clean around the implant daily with interdental brushes or a water flosser.
- Keep your regular check-ups and professional cleans.
- Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth.
- Let us know early about bleeding gums, a bad taste, or a crown that feels loose.
Cared for well, implants can last many years. Crowns and screws can wear and may need repair or replacement in time.
Why patients choose Align for implants
- Planned in 3D, in-house. CBCT and intraoral scans are taken at our Orchard Road clinic, and each implant is digitally planned with our lab.
- Guided placement. A surgical guide is made in most cases for accurate positioning.
- Bone and sinus work under one roof. Grafts and both types of sinus lift are done here, so you are not referred elsewhere.
- Comfort choices. Nitrous oxide on site, and IV sedation by a specialist anaesthetist.
- Looking beyond the tooth. We consider your bite, gums and overall health, and we will tell you honestly if an implant is not your best option.
Talk to us about replacing a missing tooth
Whether you lost a tooth recently or have been living with a gap for years, an assessment is the first step to understanding your options. Visit us at Forum The Shopping Mall, a short walk from Orchard MRT.
WhatsApp us on +65 8877 0788 or call +65 6773 7088.
Questions & answers
Dental implants: common questions
How long do dental implants last?
How long does the whole implant process take?
How much time off work will I need?
Can I be put to sleep for implant surgery?
Will I have a gap while the implant heals?
Am I too old for dental implants?
I have diabetes. Can I still have implants?
Can implants be done if I lost my tooth years ago?
What are the risks of dental implants?
Can I use MediSave or insurance for implants?
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