Whether you have lost multiple teeth, or just one, we understand how hard it can be when you’re no longer able to eat, talk or smile like you once could. If you are looking for a permanent solution that looks and feels as natural as a real tooth, dental implants may be the treatment for you.
Dental implants are titanium screws that are surgically placed into the jawbone underneath your gums. A crown can then be placed on the implant.
As implants are fused to the jawbone, they are very stable and can feel almost identical to natural teeth.
Missing teeth can cause many problems in your day-to-day life. You may find yourself unable to eat or speak comfortably and may feel self-conscious about the gap in your smile. A loss of teeth also has serious consequences for your facial structure as your other teeth could shift or move in undesirable ways.
Without teeth, you may also experience loss of bone in your jaw, which could cause your facial profile to change. Placing an implant can help prevent or resolve all of these issues, helping you regain a happy and healthy smile.
Local anesthesia will first be given, and a metal implant will be placed under the gums and within the bone in a painless procedure.
After placing the implant, it will take 3 months for the implant to be fused with the bone. After this, an artificial tooth will be fabricated and fitted onto the implant.
For many, dental procedures have always been associated with pain. Pain is one of the main reasons why many patients avoid going to the dentist. At Meso Dental, our dental experts are equipped to provide a pain-free experience with various anesthetist options.
Nitrous oxide is administered through a custom nosepiece to produce a calming effect, reducing fear and anxiety, enabling patients to better tolerate injections or ...Read More
Local anesthetist is administered via an injectable to impart a numbing effect that lasts for up to 60 minutes. It is injected into the ...Read More
For procedures longer or more complicated procedures, IV (Intra-venous) sedation is used to induce a state of deeper relaxation. It is carried out by ...Read More
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If you are missing only one tooth, a crown that is attached to a dental implant is an ideal solution. An individual tooth can be replaced without affecting the health of the neighbouring teeth. Dental implants are also much easier to care for compared to dental bridges or dentures, as they can be brushed and flossed like natural teeth.
Under local anesthesia, the dental surgeon will cut a flap in your gums of your upper jaw to access the bone underneath. Then, a small hole will be cut into your bone directly below the sinus.
Bone grafting material is then used to fill in the hole that was cut in the jawbone and push the sinus membrane upward. Once the hole is filled, the surgeon will stitch the gums back together over the bone.
Before doing an implant, your dentist will need to assess whether you are suitable for implant treatment. It is especially important that you have sufficient bone to support an implant. Using x-rays of your teeth and jaw, your dentist will be able to measure the height and width of your bone. If you do not have enough bone, a bone graft will be required before you do an implant.
The whole treatment will usually take approximately 4 to 5 visits across an average of six months.
Scientific studies have shown that around 95% of implants are still functional after 10 to 15 years. Just like with natural teeth, the longevity of implants depends on how well you clean and care for them. This means proper brushing, flossing, and regular check-ups with the dentist
The jawbone should be fully matured for implant placement. Hence, implants are usually only recommended for patients above 18 years of age. The good news is that dental implants can be placed in adult patients of any age, as long as sufficient bone is present to support the implant. Other basic requirements such as the overall health of the teeth and gums will also be taken into consideration when assessing one’s suitability for dental implants.
Some discomfort may be felt before the procedure when local anaesthesia is injected into the gums to numb the area. During the procedure, you will not feel any pain due to the effects of the anaesthesia. After the anaesthesia wears off, you may experience moderate discomfort. This can be reduced by taking the painkillers prescribed by our dentist. By the second day, most patients do not even need to take the painkillers. Implants are less painful than extractions as there is no open wound after the procedure and the gums can heal faster.
Only patients who do not have adequate bone will need a bone graft to improve the bone support around the implant. The dental surgeon placing the implant will be able to advise you if you require a bone graft.
You may experience slight swelling after the procedure, which will subside in a few days. The downtime is minimal. Most of our patients are able to return to their normal daily activities on the same day.
A temporary crown can be issued while your permanent crown is being fabricated. However, it is not always necessary to have a temporary crown. Your surgeon will be happy to discuss this in more detail with you.
Your dentist may recommend using an oral rinse instead of brushing your teeth at the surgical site for the first few days, as the area may be sore and tender.
A healing abutment may be placed on your implant to allow for healing. Avoid chewing anything hard on the side where the implant was placed. This will help the implant to heal safely in preparation for the next step of your treatment. In rare instances where your healing abutment gets dislodged, please notify the clinic immediately and we will make arrangements for you to see the dentist.
In general, it will take about 1 month for the gum to heal and 4 to 9 months for the bone to grow and stabilise.
Do not brush the surgical site with a toothbrush until you are given the go-ahead by the surgeon at the review visit. Clean the surgical site gently with moist gauze and gargle with the antiseptic mouthwash prescribed. You may brush the teeth next to the surgical site but do so gently and carefully so as not to injure the surgical flap. Do not use any over-the-counter mouthwashes, as these may slow healing and possibly lead to infections.
During the first 1 to 2 weeks, avoid chewing hard or crunchy goods. Do not use a straw when drinking as this sucking motion can result in more bleeding by dislodging the blood clot. Rinse thoroughly but gently after eating to prevent trapped food from infecting the surgical site.
You are advised not to smoke until the wound has healed, as this slows down healing in the mouth.
Please rest and avoid strenuous activities for the first 24 hours following the implant surgery. Your body will need rest in order for the surgical site to heal quickly and smoothly.