Single Tooth Replacement

Replacing a missing or failing single tooth with an implant has great benefits over the alternative options of a bridge or denture.

• Implants look function and feel like real teeth
• Implants are fixed securely in your mouth - you do not remove them at night
• Implants do not suffer hot and cold sensitivity
• Implants never get decayed
• Implants never suffer from root canal problems
• Implants preserve bone by replacing the tooth root
• Implants never feel loose and uncomfortable like a denture
• There is no damage to adjacent teeth as is caused by a bridge
• Implants produce an excellent cosmetic result - it’s usually impossible to tell the difference between implants and real teeth

In most cases the treatment is very quick (usually taking less time in the chair than a crown or root treatment), is virtually pain free, and the recovery is straightforward. Most patients report less discomfort after an implant is placed than following an extraction by their dentist.

You will not be left with a visible gap during any stage of your treatment and we will discuss your options for filling these gaps carefully with you at your assessment.

The final outcome will be a replacement tooth that looks, feels and functions like one of your own teeth. You simply have to clean it using standard tooth brushing and flossing techniques.

There is no reason a successful, well-maintained implant should not last a lifetime. The titanium structure and design of the implants we use is especially strong to withstand the forces of chewing.

Compare this to a conventional dental bridge attached to the teeth either side of the gap – your dentist will have to cut down the teeth in order to make room for the bridge. Along with the increased load they also now bear, this reduces the lifespan of bridges significantly. When a bridge fails, one or both of the supporting teeth usually fails, leading to an ever-widening gap!

A denture is rarely an ideal replacement for missing teeth. They are often uncomfortable, can similarly damage the adjacent teeth and gums, and will usually become loose over of time as your gums continue to shrink beneath them. In addition, dentures need to be removed at night time, something that is simply becoming less socially acceptable these days.

It is important to replace missing or failing teeth as with fewer teeth on which to chew, the stresses on the remaining teeth increase and reduce their lifespan. Unopposed teeth can change position and interfere with the way you bite and chew, so causing further damage in the future.