How to choose the right dental implant specialist in Singapore
Without any complications or dental condition, there should be a total of 32 teeth completing a full set of permanent adult teeth. Normally, a person is done replacing all of their baby teeth between the ages of 12 and 14. Losing a tooth or several teeth when you are already way past the age of 14 should already be a cause of alarm. If this is you, then you should consult with a dental implant specialist like Dr Kelvin Khng at Prostho Dental Office.
Why should you be concerned about losing a permanent tooth?
The loss of a permanent tooth should cause concern because this can affect not only your oral health, but your whole well-being. Tooth loss can influence the way you eat, speak, and interact with other people. These are problems that it can cause:
- Bone loss
- Challenges with pronouncing words clearly and correctly
- Difficulty in properly chewing food
- Increased risk of developing other oral diseases
- Loss of self confidence as tooth loss can make you look old and unattractive
- Misalignment of teeth
What are the reasons contributing to tooth loss in adults?
Having poor dental hygiene habits is usually the main reason that leads to the common cause of teeth loss among adults, which is gum disease. However, this is not the only reason that can lead to losing a tooth. Here are other factors:
- Aging
- Conditions or diseases affecting the gums and teeth
- Injuries that cause trauma to the teeth and gums
- Medical conditions
- Teeth grinding (Bruxism)
- Smoking
- Substance abuse
What are the reasons that can increase your risk of losing permanent teeth?
There are several reasons that can increase your risk of losing permanent teeth. Some of these factors are unavoidable, but others are very much preventable. Here are the things to consider:
- Aging — specifically adults over the age of 35
- Gender — teeth loss are more common in males than females
- Skipping dental checkups — getting your pearly whites checked by the dentist at least twice a year should be done to keep them healthy
- Specific medical conditions — if you have or are at risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, or rheumatoid arthritis, then your risk of of losing your teeth is also high
- Unhealthy vices —smoking and use of illegal substances can deteriorate your teeth and gum’s health
What are dental implants?
A dental implant is a type of tooth replacement. This involves surgically attaching frames or metal posts that serve as roots or foundations for the artificial teeth. Once implanted, the replacement teeth are mounted on them. Dental implants are stable, so you do not need to worry about a tooth falling out or other type of artificial teeth, such as bridges, to shift from their position while you are speaking or eating.
There are two types of dental implants:
- Endosteal implants
- Subperiosteal implants
Endosteal implants — These are implants that are placed directly and securely into the jawbone. This type of implant needs to dental surgery to complete. The initial surgery is done to implant the metal posts into the jawbone and the next surgery is performed after the gum is fully healed. This succeeding procedure is carried out to connect another post to the first implant before the artificial tooth or set of teeth is attached to complete the procedure.
Subperiosteal implants – This type of dental implant involves a metal frame that is appropriately attached to the jawbone located just beneath the gum line. The frame gets permanently established to the jawbone as the gum tissue heals. The posts connecting to the metal frames jut out from the gums. The replacement tooth or teeth are then placed securely onto the posts.
What makes a good candidate for dental implants?
If you are considering to get dental implants to replace your lost tooth or teeth, then you should clear the following criteria:
- Your body is healthy and can be subjected to oral surgery
- Your oral health is excellent (gums and teeth)
- You have enough jawbone to hold the dental implant
- You are willing to practice good dental habits and visit the dentist regularly
Those who are diagnosed with medical conditions, like diabetes, should be evaluated by the doctor if they are a good candidate for this procedure. Likewise, doctor’s clearance should be obtained prior to getting a dental implant for individuals who have undergone head or neck radiation therapy. If you are not an ideal candidate for a dental implant because of these reasons, then you can always check with your doctor about other alternatives that can restore your missing tooth or teeth.
What are the steps involved in getting a dental implant?
To begin your journey to getting a dental implant, you should first book a consultation with a doctor that is an expert on performing this kind of dental surgery. Through your consultation, your doctor will be able to assess whether you are the right candidate for this procedure. A personalized treatment plan will then be created to address what you need. Once these are all in place, your doctor will discuss the treatment plan with your. It is important that you clearly understand everything that is discussed and you agree to what the doctor presents prior to scheduling your dental implant surgery.
The process of attaching the dental implants involve:
- Removal of damaged tooth, when necessary
- Preparation of the jawbone through grafting, when necessary
- Implanting of root implant (small titanium post) into the jawbone
- Healing of jawbone and gums
- Attachment of abutment to root implant
- Attachment of tooth placement to abutment
Dental implant surgery is usually an outpatient procedure. The procedure also includes the use of anesthesia in order to make the surgery more comfortable for the patient. It may take several months for a dental implant procedure to complete.
Tips on how to choose the right dental specialist in Singapore
Having the right dental specialist to perform your dental implant surgery is crucial to the success of your treatment. Here are some tips when choosing a dental surgeon:
- Do your research — There are many dentists in Singapore, but not all are able to perform dental implant surgery. To start your research, ask for recommendations from family or friends who have undergone this procedure. Also, many dental clinics have websites nowadays, which provide information about the services that they offer.
- Check your dentist’s education and experience — Dentists who specialize in dental implants procedure have additional education and experience to become experts in this practice. Some dental practitioners have this information on their websites, but you can also call their clinic to ask.
- Find a clinic that can handle everything involved in a dental implant surgery — It would be very convenient if the clinic you choose can handle all the procedures involved in a dental implant surgery. This will also be more cost effective.
For more information about dental implants, visit Prostho Dental Office in Singapore. —
Prostho Dental Office
101 Irrawaddy Road
#17-07 Royal Square Medical Center
Singapore 329565
https://prosthodentaloffice.com.sg
+65 6908 6909
+65 9759 2909
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