A single implant replaces one missing tooth — root and all. A small titanium post is placed into the jawbone, where it gradually bonds with the bone over a few months. Once that’s settled, a custom crown is fixed on top, matched to the colour and shape of your surrounding teeth. The end result looks and functions like a natural tooth, and because the root is replaced too, it helps keep the jawbone healthy in a way that bridges and dentures can’t.
Bridges and dentures fill the gap you can see, but they don’t do anything for the bone underneath. Over time, that bone can shrink, which can affect the shape of your face and put pressure on the teeth either side of the gap.
An implant works differently because it replaces the root itself. The bone stays stimulated, the neighbouring teeth are left untouched, and you end up with something that feels far more like your own tooth than any alternative. For most patients, it’s a bigger investment upfront, but it’s the one solution that addresses the problem properly rather than working around it.
We start with a thorough consultation — scans, X-rays, a good look at your bone health — so we know exactly what we’re working with before anything else happens. If an implant is right for you, we’ll walk you through a clear timeline before you commit to anything.
The placement itself is done under local anaesthetic and takes about an hour. After that, it’s mostly a waiting game while the implant bonds with the bone — usually three to six months, though we can often fit a temporary tooth in the meantime. Once healing is complete, your permanent crown goes on and you’re done. Most patients tell us the process felt more straightforward than they expected.
The placement is done under local anaesthetic, so you won’t feel pain during the procedure itself — pressure and movement, yes, but not pain. Afterwards, there’s usually some tenderness and mild swelling for a few days, similar to what you’d expect after having a tooth out. Over-the-counter pain relief handles it well for most people.
If you’re anxious about the procedure, we offer sedation — it’s worth mentioning at your consultation so we can factor it in from the start.
The implant post itself — the titanium part in the bone — is designed to be permanent, and with good care there’s no reason it shouldn’t last a lifetime. The crown on top may need replacing at some point due to everyday wear, but that’s a straightforward process.
What makes the biggest difference long-term is keeping your gums healthy and attending regular check-ups. We keep an eye on implants at every visit — it’s much easier to catch anything early than deal with a problem later.
At our Bolton practice, single implants start from £3,200, which includes the implant, abutment, and crown. The final cost depends on your individual situation — whether any preparatory work is needed, for example — and we’ll always give you a written treatment plan with a full breakdown before anything starts. No surprises.
It’s not a small amount of money, and we won’t pretend otherwise. But compared to bridges or dentures that may need replacing over the years, an implant is usually a better value over time — and it’s the only option that properly replaces the tooth rather than compensating for its absence.
