Cost of Dental Implants in Singapore Vs Other Treatment Options

If you have been looking into your options for replacing missing teeth, chances are that you have already discovered that dental implants are, by far, the best option in terms of oral health and function, longevity and aesthetics. However, the cost of dental implants as compared to other options, like traditional dentures or fixed bridges, is an issue of concern for many Singapore patients. The fact is that once long-term costs of those traditional options are accounted for, dental implants are often the most cost-effective option. How can that be so, given the higher initial costs? Please join us as we explain.

Teeth Replacement Options in Singapore: Factoring In Lifetime Expenses

According to the Ministry of Health, the initial cost of traditional dentures in Singapore range from $350 to $1,200 per arch. Partial dentures typically cost around $250 to $300 for the denture base, with an additional charge for each artificial tooth placed in that base. However, those initial costs are not, by any means, the entire story. Use of traditional dentures results in bone loss in the jaw. As the jawbone shrinks away, the shape and size of the gum ridge is affected. Since traditional partial and full dentures depend on support from the gum ridge for stability and retention, they loosen as these changes occur. For that reason, dentures will need to be relined or replaced every 3 to 5 years, a recurring expense that can add up to a lot of dental spending over several decades of denture use. Additional expenses of denture use include denture cleansers, specialized brushes and cleaning tools, and in many cases, denture adhesives.

Traditional fixed bridges typically consist of a pontic (the artificial teeth) and two crowns that are attached to adjacent natural teeth. The cost of this dental appliance in Singapore ranges from $650 to $1800. As with dentures, fixed bridges are not permanent solutions to tooth loss, so there will be ongoing costs. The average bridge lasts about 7 years before replacement becomes necessary, typically due to loosening caused by bone loss beneath the appliance or deterioration in the natural teeth that support it. Additionally, when bridge failure occurs, those supporting natural teeth can be damaged, resulting in additional dental expense to repair or extract them.

Dental implants, on the other hand, are a much more permanent solution to tooth loss. While the initial costs of dental implant restorations are higher than those of traditional dentures and bridges – ranging between $1,200 and $6000 per tooth – the average lifespan of dental implants is 25 years, and with careful care, they often last a lifetime. They will not loosen due to bone loss, since implants help prevent bone resorption, and they are self-supporting, so they will do no damage to adjacent natural teeth. Of course, those advantages mean that recurring replacement costs associated with dentures or bridges are not an issue, nor are dental expenses for damaged teeth. Also, dental implants in Singapore do not require specialized solutions, tools or adhesives – just regular brushing, flossing and periodic professional dental cleaning, like natural teeth – so day-to-day maintenance costs are lower.

So, when you factor in the lifetime costs of each of these options, dental implants aren't as expensive as they may seem at first glance. In fact, they are quite often the most cost-effective solution to tooth loss over the long run. When you add that advantage to the more obvious ones – a dental restoration that looks, feels and functions like natural teeth and better preserves oral health and function, why would you settle for less?