Single implant
One post, one crown. Replaces a single missing tooth.
Best for: One missing toothDental implants
A tooth that feels like yours again.
An implant replaces the root of a missing tooth, not just the part you can see. It is the closest thing dentistry has to growing a tooth back, and with good care it can last for decades.
- Total time
- 3 – 6 months
- Surgery
- 45 – 90 min
- Anaesthesia
- Local
- Back to work
- Next day, usually
Inside an implant
What an implant actually is
When a tooth is lost, the bone that held it slowly starts to shrink, because nothing is pressing on it any more. Neighbouring teeth drift into the gap and the bite changes.
An implant post is placed where the root used to be. Over the following months the bone fuses to it (this is called osseointegration). Once it is solid, a crown is fixed on top. The result is a tooth that stands on its own, without touching or trimming the teeth beside it.
- 01CrownThe visible tooth. Milled from zirconia or ceramic and shade-matched to your neighbouring teeth.
- 02AbutmentA small connector that sits at the gum line and holds the crown firmly on the implant.
- 03Implant postA medical-grade titanium screw placed in the jawbone. Bone grows onto its surface and locks it in place.
Is an implant right for you?
Most healthy adults are suitable. We confirm it with a 3D scan, not a guess.
- You have one or more missing teethRecent or long-standing gaps, front or back.
- A tooth cannot be savedBadly cracked, broken below the gum, or failed root canals.
- Your denture movesImplants can anchor a loose denture so it clicks firmly in place.
- Your gums are healthyOr can be made healthy first. Active gum disease is treated before surgery.
We take extra care, and sometimes advise waiting, if you smoke heavily, have uncontrolled diabetes, have had radiation to the head or neck, take certain bone medicines, or are pregnant. None of these is an automatic no; they change the plan.
Types of treatment
Options for every situation
Implant bridge
Two implants support a bridge of three or four teeth.
Best for: Several teeth in a rowAll-on-4 / All-on-6
A full fixed arch of teeth on four to six implants.
Best for: A whole jawImplant overdenture
A removable denture that snaps onto two to four implants.
Best for: Loose denturesImmediate loading
A temporary tooth on the same day as surgery, when bone quality allows.
Best for: Front teeth, strong boneStep by step
How the treatment unfolds
Six stages over a few months. You are only in the chair for a handful of short visits; the rest is your body doing the work.
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01
Consultation & 3D planning
Visit 1 · 45 – 60 min
A 3D CBCT scan shows us bone height, width and density, and exactly where the nerves and sinus are. We plan the implant’s position on screen and, where useful, print a surgical guide.
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02
Bone support, if needed
Only some patients · adds 3 – 6 months
If the bone has thinned, we rebuild it with a graft before or during implant placement. Many patients skip this step entirely.
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03
Implant placement
Visit 2 · 45 – 90 min
Under local anaesthesia, the post is placed through a small opening in the gum. Most people describe pressure rather than pain, and are surprised how quickly it is over.
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04
Healing & integration
2 – 4 months lower jaw · 4 – 6 months upper
Bone grows onto the implant surface and fuses with it. You can wear a temporary tooth if the gap shows. We check in once during this time.
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05
Abutment
Visit 3 · 20 – 30 min
The connector is fitted and a quick digital scan is taken. No goopy moulds.
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06
Your final crown
Visit 4 · 30 – 45 min
The custom crown is fixed, the bite is fine-tuned, and you leave with a tooth that is stable from day one.
Compare your options
Implant, bridge or denture?
| Feature | Implant | Bridge | Removable denture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neighbouring teeth | Left untouched | Trimmed to hold crowns | Clasps rest on them |
| Jawbone | Preserved by the implant | Continues to shrink | Continues to shrink |
| Feel when eating | Like a natural tooth | Fixed, close to natural | Can move or rub |
| Cleaning | Brush and floss as normal | Needs a floss threader | Removed and cleaned daily |
| Typical lifespan | Decades for the post | 10 – 15 years | 5 – 8 years |
| Upfront cost | Highest | Moderate | Lowest |
Recovery & aftercare
The first week, honestly
- Day 0
Numbness for 2–3 hours. Rest, use a cold compress, eat soft, cool food. No spitting or straws today.
- Day 1 – 3
Mild swelling and soreness, usually peaking on day two. Ordinary painkillers are enough for most people.
- Day 2 onward
Gentle warm saltwater rinses after meals. Brush normally, softly around the site.
- Day 7 – 10
A short review visit. Stitches are removed if they are not the dissolving kind.
Looking after it, long term
- Brush twice a day and clean around the implant with an interdental brush or water flosser.
- Keep six-monthly check-ups. Gum health around an implant matters as much as around a tooth.
- If you grind at night, wear the night guard we make for you.
- If you smoke, stopping, even for the healing months, meaningfully improves the outcome.
What could go wrong
Implants are one of the most predictable treatments in dentistry. Long-term studies report around 95% of implants still in place after ten years. We would still rather you hear the risks from us:
- Not integrating
- In a small percentage of cases the bone does not fuse. The implant is removed, the site heals, and it can usually be placed again.
- Infection
- Uncommon, and treated early if it happens. Following the aftercare reduces the risk.
- Peri-implantitis
- Gum disease around an implant, years later. Prevented by cleaning and regular check-ups.
- Nerve or sinus involvement
- Rare, and the reason we always plan from a 3D scan rather than a flat X-ray.
What shapes the cost
We give you a written estimate after your scan, with nothing added later without your agreement.
- Number of implants and teeth being replaced
- Whether bone grafting or a sinus lift is needed
- Implant system and crown material (zirconia, ceramic)
- 3D scan, surgical guide and temporary teeth
Most of the work of a good implant happens before surgery, on the 3D plan. By the time you are in the chair, there are no surprises.
Questions
Asked by patients, answered plainly.
Something not here? Message us on WhatsApp and a doctor will reply.
Does getting an implant hurt?
The procedure is done under local anaesthesia, so you feel pressure but not pain. Afterwards, most people describe it as easier than having a tooth removed, and manage with ordinary painkillers for two or three days.
How long does the whole process take?
Usually three to six months from placement to final crown, because the bone needs time to fuse with the implant. If bone grafting is needed first, it can take longer. You will not be without a tooth in a visible area; we make a temporary one.
Am I too old for implants?
There is no upper age limit. General health and bone quality matter far more than age, and we regularly place implants for patients in their seventies and eighties.
Can I have implants if I have diabetes?
Often, yes, if your blood sugar is well controlled. We may coordinate with your physician and allow a little more healing time.
Will people be able to tell?
They should not. The crown is shade-matched to your own teeth, and the gum around it is shaped to look natural.
What happens if I just leave the gap?
Nothing dramatic at first. Over time the bone there shrinks, the teeth on either side tip into the space, and the opposite tooth can drift out of its socket. That makes treatment later more complex.
Ready when you are.
Book an evaluation for dental implants. We’ll explain your options, the timeline and the cost in writing, with no obligation.
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