There are many reasons patients lose a tooth. Accidents and injuries, tooth decay and gum disease can all lead to tooth loss. Particularly if the tooth is near the front of your mouth, this can have a serious impact on your self-confidence. A lost tooth can also affect your ability to bite and chew food, potentially restricting your diet.

At King’s Dental Clinic we would always recommend replacing a missing tooth. If you don’t, remaining teeth may become crooked as they move into any gaps, potentially becoming more difficult to clean and increasing the chances of further dental health problems developing. One of the most popular ways to replace a missing tooth is by using dental implants.

Dental implants are small titanium screws that your dentist places in your jaw bone during a minor surgical procedure. They integrate with the bone and act as replacements for the root part of a missing tooth.

Many patients at our Southwark and Hammersmith dental practices report that this is more tolerable than having a tooth extracted, and in most cases it can be carried out under local anaesthetic. We do also offer implant treatment under sedation for patients who are nervous or dental phobic. Our principal dentist has many years of experience using relaxation sedation to help nervous patients get treatment.

To replace one missing tooth with a dental implant, your dentist will usually attach a crown to the implant, replacing the visible part of your tooth. Once your implant has been placed, there is usually a healing period of a few months before your final, permanent crown is attached. This crown will be carefully matched to the colour of your natural teeth, ensuring a highly realistic result.

Your new, implant-secured tooth will look and act just like a natural tooth. With proper care your implant will last for many years – a lifetime in some cases.