Dental Implants

DENTAL IMPLANTS

Dental implants are commonly used as alternatives to dentures and bridges.

Some may find implants to be more convenient and comfortable than dentures, as they are fixed in the jaw, and do not require additional support to remain stable during chewing.

Dental implants also do not require the tooth structure to be removed as compared to bridges, as it functions as a single unit, and does not depend on adhesion to adjacent teeth for retention.

During your initial visit, your dentist will perform a comprehensive examination to determine your suitability for dental implant treatment. If you are found unsuitable, your dentist may recommend bridges or dentures as alternative treatment options.

You may be suitable for dental implants if you:

Have one or more missing teeth.
Have healthy teeth and gums.
Do not have other health conditions that prevent you from undergoing a surgery, or may affect post-surgical healing.

Dental implants may also be suitable for people with badly diseased teeth. In such cases, it is possible to extract those teeth and have the implants done on the same day. Further assessment is required to determine one’s eligibility.

If you are suitable for a dental implant treatment, your dentist will prepare you for the procedure by taking impressions of your teeth and gums to make a study model, as well as a 3D X-ray of your jaw. These will help your dentist to determine the most appropriate treatment plan for you.

Additional surgery may be required if you do not have enough jawbone to support the implant. Your dentist will discuss with you options to increase the amount of jawbone, such as bone grafts or sinus lift surgery.