One missing tooth, a solution that leaves the rest alone
When a single tooth is missing, a single-tooth implant replaces it without shaping or loading the neighbouring teeth.
When is a single-tooth implant used?
When a single tooth is lost, there are two common ways to replace it: a single-tooth implant or a bridge supported by the two neighbouring teeth. The implant is the option that leaves those teeth untouched: it anchors directly into the bone, at the exact spot of the missing tooth.
Because it doesn't depend on the adjacent teeth, the implant keeps their structure intact and avoids the progressive wear that a conventional bridge causes, since a bridge needs those two teeth shaped down to anchor onto.
How long does a single-tooth implant last?
With proper integration and maintenance — daily hygiene and periodic check-ups — a single-tooth implant can last decades or a lifetime. The most common cause of failure isn't the implant itself, but gum tissue that isn't cared for the way a natural tooth's would be.
If several teeth in a row are missing alongside this one, the solution may not be one implant per tooth: sometimes a smaller number of implants can support a fixed prosthesis for all of them. That's decided at the assessment, not before.
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Leaves neighbouring teeth untouched
Unlike a bridge, no healthy tooth needs to be shaped down to anchor it.
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Functions like your own tooth
It anchors into the bone, not the gum: it bites and is cared for just like the rest of your teeth.
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A lasting solution
Properly maintained, it shouldn't need replacing.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions about this treatment
01 A single-tooth implant or a bridge?
Both replace a missing tooth, but differently: the implant anchors into the bone without touching the neighbouring teeth; the bridge anchors by shaping those two teeth down. The implant is the more conservative option when those teeth are healthy.
02 How long does a single-tooth implant take to integrate?
Bone integration usually takes a few months. A provisional tooth can be worn during that time, depending on the case, so the gap isn't visible.
03 Does it look like an implant, or like a real tooth?
Not if the crown is well designed. It's custom-made for shape, colour and proportion, to blend in with the neighbouring teeth.
04 What if I don't have enough bone in that area?
It's assessed with a 3D X-ray before proposing anything. If bone volume is insufficient, regeneration techniques can resolve it before the implant is placed.
Other treatments you may be interested in
First assessment
Request your single-tooth implant assessment
- We call you to understand your case before proposing anything.
- Diagnosis with digital planning and a fixed written quote.
- No obligation: if you do not need treatment, we will tell you.
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