Single tooth · in-house
One missing tooth, one permanent solution
An implant + abutment + porcelain crown — placed and restored right here on Thomson Drive, without a specialist referral across town.
The three parts
Implant — a small titanium post placed in the jaw where the tooth root used to be. Titanium is biocompatible; the bone heals around it and locks it in place.
Abutment — a small connector that screws into the implant once the bone has healed. It’s what the crown sits on top of.
Crown — the visible tooth. Custom porcelain, shade-matched to your surrounding teeth.
The timeline
- Consultation + 3D scan — a CBCT scan shows the bone, the nerves, and exactly where the implant should go.
- Implant placement (about 60–90 minutes) — fully numb. The titanium post goes in; sometimes a temporary tooth fills the space while it heals.
- Healing (3–4 months) — the bone fuses to the implant. You’ll come in for short check-ins, but most of this is just waiting.
- Abutment + impression — a short visit. Abutment placed, impression taken for the lab.
- Crown delivery — final porcelain crown bonded onto the abutment. Bite checked, polished, and you’re done.
Care after your implant
- Brush and floss the implant crown exactly like a natural tooth. Implants can’t decay, but the gum line around them can become inflamed without good hygiene.
- Keep up with six-month cleanings. We use special tools to clean around implants safely.
- If you grind your teeth, wear the night guard we make for you — heavy clenching can shorten the life of an implant crown.
Common questions
Frequently asked
- Why is a single implant better than a bridge?
- An implant replaces the missing tooth without altering the teeth on either side. Bridges require shaping (and slightly weakening) the healthy neighbors to serve as anchors. Implants also preserve the bone where the tooth used to be — bridges don’t.
- How long does the whole process take?
- Most single-tooth cases take 4–6 months total. The implant placement itself is a single visit; the healing period (osseointegration, when the bone fuses to the implant) takes 3–4 months; then we attach the abutment and the final crown over two more visits.
- Does the surgery hurt?
- Most patients are surprised how comfortable it is. You’re fully numb during the placement, and post-op soreness is usually mild — much less than a typical extraction. We give you a clear after-care plan and a phone number for anything that doesn’t feel right.
- Am I a candidate?
- Most adults with good general health and enough bone in the area are candidates. We use a 3D CBCT scan to confirm bone volume before scheduling surgery. Smokers, uncontrolled diabetics, and patients on certain medications need extra evaluation, but it’s rarely a hard stop.
- What if I don’t have enough bone?
- Bone grafting can rebuild what’s lost. Sometimes it’s done at the same visit as the implant; sometimes it’s a separate procedure done first. We’ll know after the CBCT scan and walk you through the options.
- How long does an implant last?
- Properly cared for, dental implants routinely last 20+ years and often a lifetime. The crown on top may need replacement after 10–15 years, but the implant itself usually doesn’t.
We'd love to see you on Thomson Drive
Call, message, or schedule online — whichever's easiest for you.