You will be advised accordingly during your consultation with your dentist. The dentist will carry out a thorough clinical and x-ray examinations.

If you are a smoker, you should stop smoking for at least two weeks before the surgery. Studies have shown that smoking decreases the success rate of implant placement significantly.

There will be some discomfort after implant placement, similar to extraction of a tooth. It is normal to have some bruising and swelling too but your dentist will prescribe some painkiller and anti-swelling medications. You will be advised to adhere to soft diet after the surgery. You should brush your teeth but to avoid the surgical area for the first two weeks.

Most people return to work within a day or two after the surgery. If you are an existing denture wearer, your denture may need to be adjusted to ensure a better fit during this interim period. Please consult your dentist for further advice.

Dental implants have been in used for over 40 years. The long term success rate is reported to be as high as 95%. However, smoking and some medical conditions, such as diabetes, will compromise wound healing and increase the risk of implant failure.

Implants can fail if you do not practice proper oral hygiene techniques. As such, it is important for you to visit your dentist at least twice a year to assess your overall oral hygiene condition and the implant stability. Proper brushing, flossing and regular dental check-ups will help to ensure the long term success of your implants.

After insertion of dental implants, you need to look after your teeth carefully. Good oral hygiene habits help to ensure satisfactory results.

• Like normal teeth, proper brushing and flossing is essential
• Periodic review and check-up by your dentist so that the dental implants can last longer

The estimated cost for one implant (i.e. one tooth) is from $1,962 of which partial cost (about $1,250) can be paid using Medisave, subject to final approval by CPF Board and provided you have sufficient fund in your Medisave account. Please refer to the illustration below on the payment process.

Assuming the agreed fee is $2,675 per implant and you need 1 implant, then it is as follows:

• Amount to be claimed from Medisave $1,250
• $2,675 - $1,250 = $1,425
• Out of the $1,425, the clinic will collect a deposit upfront and the balance can be paid progressively over the next few visits till the procedure is completed.

Additional charges which are not Medisave claimable are applicable for the new tooth that sits on top of the implant.

You cannot use CHAS/Merdeka Generation/Pioneer Generation subsidies to pay for implant surgery. To view the procedures which you can use CHAS subsidies on, please visit https://qandm.com.sg/Healthcare-Q&M-Dental-About-CHAS. However, you can consider using Medisave to pay for partial costs of the implant surgery. For more information, please see FAQ (8) listed above.