Losing a tooth, or several teeth, can impact more than just appearance. Missing teeth can affect the ability to chew properly, alter speech, cause surrounding teeth to shift out of position, and even lead to changes in facial structure due to jawbone loss over time. Fortunately, several effective solutions are available in Singapore.
This article will cover the three primary methods commonly offered by dentists in Singapore for replacing missing teeth: 1) dental implants, 2) dental bridges, and 3) removable dentures.
1. Dental Implants: The Gold Standard for Tooth Replacement
Often referred to as the “gold standard” for replacing missing teeth, dental implants offer a permanent and highly effective solution that closely mimics natural teeth.
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is essentially an artificial tooth root which is shaped like a small screw. The implant is surgically placed directly into the jawbone where the tooth is missing. This artificial root can then support a replacement tooth (dental crown).
Pros Of Dental Implants
- Natural Look and Feel: They are designed to look, feel, and function very much like natural teeth, offering superior comfort compared to removable options.
- Durability and Longevity: With proper care and regular dental check-ups, dental implants have a high success rate and the potential to last a lifetime, making them a reliable long-term investment.
- Jawbone Preservation: Unlike other options, implants integrate with the jawbone, providing stimulation similar to natural tooth roots. This helps prevent the bone loss that typically occurs after tooth extraction, thereby preserving facial structure and preventing a prematurely aged appearance.
- No Impact on Adjacent Teeth: Implant placement does not require trimming down or relying on neighbouring healthy teeth for support, preserving their integrity.
- Improved Function: The stability of implants allows for confident chewing of a wider variety of foods and clearer speech compared to unsecured dentures.
Cons Of Dental Implants
- Higher Upfront Cost: Implants generally represent the highest initial financial investment compared to bridges or dentures.
- Surgical Procedure: The placement involves surgery, which carries inherent risks, albeit typically low for this procedure. Patients need to be in reasonable general health to undergo surgery.
- Longer Treatment Time: The entire process, including healing time, spans several months.
- Requirement for Adequate Bone: Successful implantation requires sufficient jawbone density and volume. Patients lacking adequate bone may need bone grafting or sinus lift procedures, which add to the treatment time, complexity, and cost.
- Maintenance: While durable, implants still require diligent oral hygiene (brushing, flossing) and regular professional cleanings and check-ups to maintain gum health around the implant.
Cost Of Dental Implants
Reported costs for a single implant procedure (including the final crown) span a very wide range, from approximately $1,200 to as high as $15,000 or more.
It’s important to note that extremely low figures (e.g., $1,200-$1,500) might refer only to mini-implants (which are smaller and less robust) or potentially exclude the cost of the crown or assume significant subsidies or Medisave deductions.
A realistic range for private dental clinics is about $3,000 to $6,000. Read our guide on the cost of dental implants in Singapore to learn more.
The significant upfront cost of implants is often a major concern. However, their potential to last a lifetime, unlike bridges or dentures which typically require replacement, means the long-term value could be higher.
2. Dental Bridges: A Fixed Solution to Fill the Gap
Dental bridges offer a fixed, non-removable alternative for replacing one or more missing teeth.
What Are Dental Bridges?
A dental bridge essentially “bridges” the gap created by missing teeth. It consists of one or more artificial teeth (called pontics) fused between two crowns (caps) that are fitted onto the natural teeth (abutments) on either side of the gap. Bridges are typically made from porcelain, ceramic, metal alloys, or a combination, designed to restore function and match the appearance of natural teeth.
Pros Of Dental Bridges
- Fixed and Stable: Being cemented in place, they feel more secure and function more like natural teeth compared to removable dentures.
- Aesthetics: They restore the appearance of a full smile and can be crafted to look very natural.
- Function: Bridges restore the ability to chew and speak properly.
- Relatively Fast Procedure: The process is typically completed within a few weeks, significantly faster than dental implants.
- Prevents Teeth Shifting: Fills the gap, preventing adjacent and opposing teeth from drifting into the empty space.
Cons Of Dental Bridges
- Requires Altering Adjacent Teeth: The most significant disadvantage of conventional bridges is the need to irreversibly trim down potentially healthy neighbouring teeth to place the supporting crowns. This can make these teeth more susceptible to future problems.
- Stress on Supporting Teeth: The neighbouring teeth (abutment) bear the chewing forces intended for the missing tooth/teeth, placing additional stress on them.
- Cleaning Difficulty: Maintaining oral hygiene under the artificial teeth (pontic) requires special care to prevent plaque buildup, decay, and gum disease around the abutment (neighbouring teeth).
- Bone Loss: Bridges do not stimulate the jawbone underneath the missing tooth area, meaning bone resorption (shrinkage) can still occur over time.
- Limited Lifespan: Bridges typically need replacement every 5 to 15 years, depending on materials, oral hygiene, and stress factors (general dental knowledge, not explicitly in snippets).
Cost Of Dental Bridges
The cost of dental bridges is usually calculated per “unit,” where each supporting crown and each artificial tooth (pontic) counts as one unit. Therefore, replacing a single missing tooth typically requires a 3-unit bridge. A standard 3-unit bridge in a private clinic could range roughly from $1,200 to $8,000, depending heavily on the clinic, location, materials used (e.g., all-ceramic vs. porcelain-fused-to-metal), and case complexity.
A major consideration for dental bridges is the biological cost associated with preparing the adjacent teeth. The irreversible removal of healthy tooth structure is a significant factor, especially when compared to dental implants which do not affect adjacent teeth. Patients must weigh the faster treatment time and avoidance of implant surgery against the potential long-term implications for the supporting teeth.
3. Dentures: The Removable and Affordable Path
Dentures, commonly known as ‘false teeth’, are a long-standing and often the most affordable option for replacing missing teeth.
What Are Dentures?
Dentures are removable prosthetic devices designed to replace missing teeth and surrounding tissues. They are typically made from acrylic resin, sometimes combined with a metal framework for added strength and retention. They fill the gaps left by missing teeth and usually have clasps that attach to the remaining natural teeth for support.
Pros Of Dentures
- Affordability: They are generally the most cost-effective option for replacing multiple missing teeth, especially compared to dental implants or bridges.
- Non-Invasive Procedure: Fabricating dentures does not typically require surgery (unless extractions are needed beforehand or implants are used for support).
- Restores Appearance: Dentures can effectively restore the appearance of a full smile and support facial tissues.
- Improves Function: They help restore basic chewing ability and improve speech clarity.
- Relatively Quick Process: Compared to implants, the process of getting dentures is usually faster.
Cons Of Dentures
- Inconvenience: They must be removed daily for cleaning and typically overnight to allow gum tissues to rest, which some find inconvenient.
- Stability: Dentures, especially lower complete ones, can sometimes shift or feel loose while eating or speaking, potentially requiring denture adhesives for better retention.
- Comfort and Adaptation: There is usually an adjustment period required to get used to wearing dentures. They may initially cause some soreness or irritation until the mouth adapts or adjustments are made.
- Maintenance: Require meticulous daily cleaning to prevent staining, odour, and oral infections. They also need periodic professional check-ups and may require relining (refitting the base) or replacement over time as the shape of the jaw and gums changes.
- Chewing Efficiency: While function is restored, the chewing power with dentures is generally less than that of natural teeth or implants. Certain hard or sticky foods may remain difficult to eat.
- Bone Loss: Dentures rest on the gums and do not stimulate the underlying jawbone. As a result, bone resorption (shrinkage) continues over time, which can affect the fit of the denture and facial appearance.
Cost Of Dentures
Dentures is the most affordable option with prices starting from $300 for acrylic partial dentures and $700 for acrylic full dentures. Costs go up to $1,300 and above depending on the material used, number of teeth replaced and complexity of the case.
Dentures stand out as the most financially accessible entry point for tooth replacement, particularly given the availability of CHAS subsidies. This affordability likely makes them a prevalent choice, especially for extensive tooth loss or among budget-conscious individuals and seniors.
Using CHAS & MediSave for Dental Care
The Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) provides subsidies for dental care at participating dental clinics for all Singapore Citizens.
- Dentures: Subsidies are available for complete dentures, partial dentures and denture relines/repairs.
- Dental Bridges: Bridges are generally not covered by CHAS subsidies.
- Dental Implants: The CHAS scheme does not subsidise the surgical placement of dental implants as it is considered an elective.
MediSave use for dental is strictly limited to procedures involving surgery performed for medical reasons. This means that you can use MediSave for dental implants only.
