Dental implant FAQ:
your questions answered

The three main drivers of price variation are:

• Implant brand — A Straumann fixture costs 3–4x more than a Korean brand. Both are clinically excellent, but the brand carries a different price point.
• Crown material — Zirconia crowns are more expensive than porcelain-fused-to-metal but offer better aesthetics and durability.
• What's included — Some clinics quote the implant only; the CBCT scan, bone graft, and follow-up are additional. Others quote an all-in package. Always clarify.

Clinic location, overhead costs, and whether the implant is placed by a specialist oral surgeon or a general dentist also affect pricing.

The procedure itself is done under local anaesthesia. You will feel pressure and movement, but not pain during placement. Most patients are surprised by how manageable the experience is — many compare it to a routine extraction.

Post-surgery: expect soreness and mild swelling for 2–5 days. This is normal and well-controlled with standard over-the-counter pain relief (ibuprofen and paracetamol). Most patients return to normal activities the next day. Significant pain beyond day 5 is uncommon and should be reported to your dentist promptly.

The initial surgical healing (soft tissue closure) takes 1–2 weeks. The deeper biological process — osseointegration, where the titanium fuses with the jawbone — takes 3–6 months.

During the osseointegration period, most patients live normally. Dietary restrictions (avoiding very hard or crunchy foods at the implant site) apply in the first 2–3 months. After osseointegration is confirmed, the permanent crown is fitted and there are no further restrictions.

Good candidates typically have:

• Adequate jawbone volume and density to anchor the implant
• Healthy gums — active gum disease must be treated first
• No uncontrolled systemic conditions (such as uncontrolled diabetes)
• Non-smoking status, or a willingness to stop around the time of surgery

Age is not a barrier — implants are routinely and successfully placed in patients in their 60s, 70s, and 80s. A CBCT scan is the only accurate way to assess bone volume and confirm candidacy. A standard X-ray only shows 2D bone — it is not sufficient for implant planning.

Yes — if diabetes is well-controlled. Clinical evidence shows that patients with HbA1c of 8% or below have implant survival rates comparable to non-diabetic patients when enhanced protocols are followed.

Uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c above 9–10%) significantly increases the risk of poor healing, infection, and implant failure. Active gum disease — more common in diabetic patients — must also be treated before implant placement. Many patients who assumed their diabetes ruled out implants are, in fact, suitable candidates after a proper assessment.

Not necessarily — but the longer a tooth has been missing, the more jawbone loss has likely occurred. Bone resorbs when there is no tooth root to stimulate it, and this process begins within weeks of extraction.

A CBCT scan reveals how much bone remains. Some patients with long-term missing teeth still have adequate bone; others require a bone graft before implant placement. The earlier you enquire, the more options you have and the simpler the treatment pathway.

Not always. A bone graft is needed when the jawbone at the implant site is too thin or shallow to hold the implant securely. This is assessed by CBCT imaging — not visible on a standard X-ray.

When a bone graft is needed, it typically adds 3–6 months to the total treatment timeline (for graft healing before implant placement) and approximately RM 1,500–4,000 to the total cost, depending on the type and size of graft required.

Simple socket grafts (at the time of tooth extraction) are smaller and heal faster than major sinus lift procedures. Your treatment plan will specify which type is required for your anatomy.

CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) is a 3D X-ray scan of the jaw and surrounding structures. Unlike a traditional dental X-ray, which shows only a flat 2D image, a CBCT scan shows:

• The exact height, width, and density of bone available at the implant site
• The precise location of the inferior alveolar nerve (lower jaw) and maxillary sinuses (upper jaw)
• Any existing pathology (cysts, infections) that would affect implant placement

With this information, the implant position, angle, and depth can be planned digitally before surgery. This significantly improves placement accuracy, reduces the risk of nerve injury or sinus perforation, and makes the procedure predictable. At Koo Dental Clinic, we use CBCT imaging for all implant assessments.

From first consultation to final crown, the complete process typically takes 4–8 months:

• Week 1–4: Consultation, CBCT scan, treatment planning, any preparatory treatment (gum therapy, tooth extraction)
• Week 2–6: Implant placement surgery (1 appointment, ~1 hour for a single implant)
• Months 2–7: Osseointegration (passive healing — no treatment required, normal life continues)
• After healing confirmed: Crown impressions and final crown fitting (1–2 appointments)

Cases requiring bone grafting may add another 3–6 months. The total treatment is not continuous — most of the time is passive biological healing.

The titanium implant fixture can last 20–30 years or longer with good oral hygiene. Clinical studies show 95–98% implant survival at 10 years — one of the highest success rates for any surgical intervention in dentistry.

The crown on top typically lasts 10–15 years before replacement due to normal wear. The implant itself rarely needs replacing if osseointegration was successful and the implant site is well maintained. This is why implants are typically the lowest lifetime cost option despite the higher upfront investment — they simply do not need to be replaced as frequently as bridges or dentures.

Implants are maintained exactly like natural teeth. The routine is simple:

• Brush twice daily — including around the implant crown, at the gum line
• Floss daily — including the implant crown; an implant crown can accumulate plaque just like a natural tooth
• Attend regular check-ups — every 6 months. Your dentist will check for peri-implantitis (infection around the implant), assess bone levels, and clean difficult-to-reach areas

An implant cannot get tooth decay — but the gum tissue surrounding it can develop peri-implantitis (inflammation similar to gum disease) if plaque accumulates over time. This is the main long-term risk to implant health. Good daily oral hygiene prevents it.