Replacing a Missing Tooth
A missing tooth can be replaced with an implant, a bridge, or a removable denture — or left alone, which has consequences of its own. At Millenia Walk the choice usually turns on the two teeth either side of the gap: if they are sound, an implant leaves them untouched.
The options side by side
| Option | Teeth either side | Time | Medisave | Fee, incl. GST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ImplantA titanium fixture in the bone with a ceramic crown on top | Untouched | 3–6 months | Surgical portion | From S$4,905 |
| Ceramic bridgeMilled as one piece, cemented across the gap | Both prepared for crowns | About 2 weeks | No | S$1,962 – 2,725 |
| Removable dentureA plate that comes in and out | Untouched, but clasps rest on them | A few weeks | No | Quoted after examination |
| Full arch on implantsWhere most or all of an arch is missing | Not applicable | 4–6 months | Surgical portion | S$27,250 – 38,150 |
A three-unit bridge is three units. Fees are published in full on the fees page; a written quotation follows examination.
How the choice is actually made
Almost always on the condition of the two teeth either side of the gap, not on the gap itself.
We will show you which situation you are in on the scan rather than describing it. Where the implant is right, we say so, even though the bridge is the treatment we could start sooner.
What happens if you leave the gap
Worth understanding, because doing nothing is a real option and should be a decision rather than a default. Over months to years the teeth either side tend to tilt into the space, and the tooth above or below can over-erupt into it. That changes the bite, and it makes replacing the tooth later harder and more expensive than replacing it now.
The bone that held the root also resorbs once the root is gone, most noticeably in the first year. If an implant is likely to be the answer eventually, assessing the site early keeps more options open than grafting bone back afterwards.
None of that means every gap must be filled. A single missing back tooth, in a stable bite, is sometimes reasonably left alone — and we will tell you when that is your situation.
Questions
What are the options for replacing a missing tooth in Singapore?
Three: a dental implant, a bridge, or a removable denture. An implant replaces the tooth on its own and leaves the neighbouring teeth untouched. A bridge joins to those teeth, which have to be prepared for crowns. A denture is removable and the least invasive but the least stable. Where several teeth are missing across a whole arch, a fixed full arch on implants is the fourth option.
Is an implant or a bridge better?
It turns on the two teeth either side of the gap. If they are sound, an implant is usually better because it does not touch them. If they already need crowns, a bridge treats all three problems at once. An implant takes three to six months and needs enough bone; a bridge is done in about two weeks.
What happens if I just leave the gap?
Over months to years the teeth either side tend to tilt into the space and the opposing tooth can over-erupt into it, which changes the bite and makes replacing the tooth later harder and more expensive. The bone that held the root also resorbs over time. A single missing back tooth is sometimes reasonably left alone; that is a decision to make deliberately after an examination, not by default.
Which options are Medisave claimable?
The surgical portion of implant placement is Medisave claimable, subject to Ministry of Health withdrawal limits. Bridges, crowns and dentures are not — Medisave applies to surgical procedures, not fixed or removable prosthetics. Your written quotation separates what is claimable from what is not.
How soon after losing a tooth should it be replaced?
There is no single deadline, but the bone in the socket changes most in the first year, so planning early keeps more options open. If an implant is likely, we would rather assess the site before the bone has reduced than graft it back afterwards.