Dental implant surgery is done to accomplish the surgical placement of dental implants into the jawbone to serve as artificial tooth roots forming a secure foundation for replacement teeth. Most are tiny cylinders made of titanium, an extremely biocompatible metal that bonds with the jawbone in much the same manner as natural tooth roots. Depending upon the specific treatment plan worked out by your dentist, restorative specialist and oral surgeon, you may have staged implant placement, which generally requires two surgical sessions to complete, or a single-stage procedure, done in one surgical visit.
In staged implant surgery, the most common method of placing dental implants, Singapore oral surgeons make incisions in the gums, place the implants into the jawbone, then suture the gum above them closed again. Burying the implants under the gum line protects them as healing and osseointegration – bonding with the jawbone – occurs, a process that can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months. Then, in the second stage, the surgeon will expose the implants, examine them to be sure they have bonded properly, and attach an abutment to each one– a post that protrudes beyond the gum line and is designed to hold prosthetic teeth.
Single-stage dental implant procedures can be done with one piece implants, using a healing caps to protect the abutment portions – which will protrude from the gum – as healing and osseointegration occur. Alternatively, your Singapore oral surgeon may used two piece implants, as is done with staged surgery, but place temporary healing abutments in the same procedure as the dental implants. Lastly, immediate load implants are done in a single-stage procedure, with implants, abutments and temporary prosthetic teeth placed in a single surgical session.
Implant placement procedures, in most cases, are done in your Singapore oral surgeon's office – as are any preparatory procedures you may need, such as bone grafts or sinus lifts. Anesthesia generally consists of a combination of local numbing agents and IV sedation, ensuring a comfortable and pain free surgical experience for patients. You'll need to make arrangements for a ride home after your procedure, since your IV sedation will take some time to wear off completely.
You can expect minor bleeding, swelling and pain at surgical sites immediately after your procedure, and some patients experience facial swelling and/or bruising, affects that generally clear within 5 to seven days. Your surgeon may prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection, and you'll generally be given a prescription for pain medication to address any pain or discomfort you experience in the days following your procedure.