Missing Teeth And Dental Implants

Photo of Dr Gerald Tan

Hosted By

Dr Gerald Tan

Dentist

Ask Dr Gerald Tan about:

  • Leaving missing teeth untreated
  • The risks involved in getting dental implants
  • Recovering from dental implant surgery
  • Maintaining dental implants
  • Costs of dental implants

Questions 10

How much does Medisave cover for dental implants?

You can usually claim up to $1250 in Medisave for one dental implant, subject to a maximum of $7500 for 8 implants. No dentist can guarantee the success of any Medisave claim. We can only submit the request, but the final claimable amount is still subject to approval by MOH. The dentist has no control and no say over the final amount that will be reimbursed, and each claim submission will be assesed by MOH officials. From time to time, MOH may at their discretion change the Medisave claim rules and regulations and this is also beyond the control of any dentist.

Photo of Dr Gerald Tan

Answered By

Dr Gerald Tan

Dentist

Is it worth it for someone over 70 to get dental implants?

Whether or not dental implants would be “ better” than dentures for your 70 year old relative depends on various factors. It is true that no one likes to go for surgery, no matter at what age, and for dental implants to be even considered for your father, it must be determined that the benefits of the surgery far outweigh any risks. Generally speaking, dental implants are far superior to dentures in terms of strength, longevity, stability, comfort and even aesthetics. Age alone cannot be seen as the most important limiting factor in getting dental implants.

Photo of Dr Gerald Tan

Answered By

Dr Gerald Tan

Dentist

Since dental implants are screwed into the jaw, will I feel any difference between the implant and my own teeth? I’m worried I won’t be able to eat normally.

Dental implants, when done well, are designed to look and feel and function just like the natural teeth they are replacing. Dental implants will never decay, however, gum disease around the dental implant may still occur with neglect, just like in the case of natural teeth. There is absolutely no issue with eating normally with dental implants! Having said that, I have seen cases gone wrong whereby dental implants were not placed in a good position and alignment. This may give rise to long term problems in terms of the stability and balance of your bite.

Photo of Dr Gerald Tan

Answered By

Dr Gerald Tan

Dentist

Will a dental implant feel different from my other teeth?

It might feel abit strange at first, but you will soon get used to it just like how a new pair of shoes may feel strange in the beginning.

Photo of Dr Gerald Tan

Answered By

Dr Gerald Tan

Dentist

How do I maintain my dental implants so that they last as long as possible?

Brush and floss your dental implants regularly as you would any natural tooth and have them maintained at professional dental hygiene appointments with your trusted dentist at least 2 times per year. Avoid using your dental implants to open up beer bottles, crush on ice cubes, or pork bones and chilli crab shells!

Photo of Dr Gerald Tan

Answered By

Dr Gerald Tan

Dentist

How long do dental implants last?

If maintained well and if the patient has a good balanced bite with no para-functional habits, dental implants can last a lifetime!

Photo of Dr Gerald Tan

Answered By

Dr Gerald Tan

Dentist

What’s the recovery process like after getting dental implants?

It really depends on the complexity of the surgery and difficulty of the case. In simple cases recovery could be within 1-3 days. In more complex, extensive surgeries, it could take 1-3 weeks !

Photo of Dr Gerald Tan

Answered By

Dr Gerald Tan

Dentist

What will happen if I don’t bother to get implants and just live with a gap in my teeth?

If you do not replace your missing tooth with a dental implant, it is possible that your neighbouring teeth will shift and collapse into the gap. This will in-turn lead to an imbalanced bite with some teeth subjected to more stress from your bite as compared to others, resulting in unequal wear and tear! You will naturally chew more on the side with more teeth and the rate of wear and tear on the side that you favour will be significantly increased.

Photo of Dr Gerald Tan

Answered By

Dr Gerald Tan

Dentist

How long do I have to wait after tooth extraction to get dental implants?

The short answer is that it depends. Every patient is different and each case is decided upon on its unique merits and clinical situation. Sometimes you can have an immediate implant placed right after the tooth is extracted. Other times , it is best to wait 3-6 months for the site to heal and regenerate before the implant is placed.

Photo of Dr Gerald Tan

Answered By

Dr Gerald Tan

Dentist

What are the risks and potential complications in getting dental implants?

To list every single risk and complication of dental implant surgery is beyond the scope of this session.

Photo of Dr Gerald Tan

Answered By

Dr Gerald Tan

Dentist

Ask any health question for free

I’m not so sure about a procedure...

Ask Icon Ask a Question

Join Human

Sign up now for a free Human account to get answers from specialists in Singapore.

Sign Up

Get The Pill

Be healthier with our Bite-sized health news straight in your inbox