Single Tooth Implants

A dental implant is a small titanium screw that is placed into the jawbone to take the place of the root of a missing tooth. Once it has integrated with the bone, the implant supports a custom-made crown, giving you a fixed, natural-looking replacement.

Unlike a bridge or denture, a single tooth implant is completely self-supporting — neighbouring teeth don't need to be cut down or used as anchors.

Most healthy adults are suitable candidates for dental implants. Ideally you should have:

• Healthy gums, free from active gum disease
• Enough jawbone to support the implant — or be a candidate for bone grafting
• Good oral hygiene habits and a willingness to attend regular hygiene visits
• General good health

One of the major advantages of implants over bridges or dentures is that no adjacent teeth need to be prepared or affected to hold the replacement tooth in place.

A single tooth implant is made up of three precisely engineered parts:

• The implant — a small titanium screw placed into the jawbone, acting as the new tooth root.
• The abutment — a connector (titanium, gold or porcelain) that links the implant to the crown.
• The crown — a custom-made ceramic tooth shaded to match your other teeth perfectly.

Once placed, your implant looks, feels and functions like a natural tooth — and you care for it in exactly the same way, with regular brushing, flossing and check-ups at our Forest Hill clinic.

Dental implants have an extremely high success rate, but as with any surgical procedure there are small risks to be aware of. Implant failure is uncommon but can occur due to infection, poor oral hygiene, smoking, uncontrolled grinding, or insufficient bone support.

Before placing any implant we use 3D CT scans and X-rays to plan the position precisely, avoid nerves and sinuses, and give you the very best chance of a long-lasting, trouble-free result.