①Single implant
The most common choice when one or two teeth are missing.
Made ofImplant + crown
01What is an implant?
① Root — the implant
A small titanium screw placed in the jawbone. It does the job of the original tooth root.
② Connector — the abutment
A small post that joins the root and the crown.
③ Tooth — the crown
The part you see and chew with. Its colour and shape are made to match your teeth.
Why choose an implant?
- No need to grind down healthy neighbouring teeth
- Fixed in the bone — nothing to take out every day
※ Actual results vary with each person's oral condition.
02Treatment steps
- 1
Check & plan
A CT scan shows the height and width of your bone. You and the dentist agree on a plan.
- 2
Place the root
Under local anaesthetic the artificial root is placed in the bone. Usually about an hour; how it feels varies from person to person.
- 3
Let it heal
Usually 3–6 months for the implant to join firmly with the bone. You can wear a temporary tooth meanwhile.
- 4
Fit the new tooth
After a mould or digital scan, the crown is made, fitted and the bite is adjusted. Done!
※ Timing can change if bone grafting is needed or depending on your bone. Your dentist will confirm after the exam.
03Common treatment combinations
An implant is not a single item — it is made by combining several parts. These are the four most common combinations:
②When bone is thin
Same as ①, plus bone is added at the same time or beforehand.
Made ofImplant + crown + bone graft
③Implant-held denture
Many teeth missing. The denture clicks onto the implants.
Made of2–4 implants + Locator or bar + denture
④Full-arch fixed bridge
Almost no teeth left in a jaw. 4–6 implants hold a full row of fixed teeth that never come out.
Made ofImplants + multi-unit abutments + Malo bridge + crowns
04Types of implants
The implant is the 'root' placed in the bone. Implants differ in where they are made, materials and surface technology, and product grade. We use implants made in Switzerland, the USA, Korea and other countries. Your dentist will recommend one based on your bone and the tooth position.
05Not enough bone: bone grafting
Guided bone regeneration (GBR)
Where the bone is too thin or has a gap, bone graft material is packed in and covered with a thin membrane. Over a few months new bone grows there to support the implant.
Sinus lift (upper back teeth)
Above the upper back teeth is an air space (the sinus), so the bone there is often thin. The thin lining at the floor of the space is gently lifted and graft material is placed underneath to make the bone taller.
Your own bone (autograft)
A small piece of your own bone is taken from another area of the mouth and moved to where it is needed.
06Surgical guide
Using the CT scan and a digital mouth scan, the position, angle and depth are planned on a computer, and a guide is 3D-printed. During surgery the guide sits on your teeth to guide the implant to the planned position.
07Special connectors
The abutment is the connector between the implant and the tooth. Most cases use a standard part; for higher aesthetic needs or special ways of attaching teeth, your dentist will choose a suitable connector.
Implant-held denture (Locator / bar)
Full-arch fixed bridge (Malo bridge)
08Implant crowns (the new tooth)
The crown is the new tooth fixed on the implant. Zirconia is a very strong, natural-looking white ceramic. Options include imported (USA, Germany, Japan) and Chinese-made zirconia/all-ceramic materials, which differ in translucency, colour layering and how they are made.
09Temporary teeth
While waiting for healing and the final tooth, a temporary tooth can be worn. It helps with appearance and speaking day to day, and can be used to guide the gum shape.
10If a problem occurs
In case of looseness or a broken screw, please come in and your dentist will check and treat it.
11Aftercare & maintenance
On the day & the next few days
- Bite firmly on the gauze for about an hour to stop bleeding.
- On the day, don't rinse hard, spit, or use a straw.
- Some swelling for 2–3 days is normal; a cold pack helps for the first two days.
- Take the prescribed medicine on time.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol; eat soft food that is not too hot.
Long-term care
- Brush carefully as with natural teeth, plus floss or a water flosser.
- Come for a check-up and cleaning about every 6 months.
- If you grind your teeth at night, a night guard helps.
- The small rubber inserts of a Locator denture wear out; come in to replace them when it feels loose.