A missing tooth tends to get managed in one of two ways. Either people deal with it quickly because it's visible and affecting their confidence, or they leave it because it's at the back and nobody can see it. Both responses are understandable, but the second one causes problems that get more expensive to fix the longer you wait.
This is a practical guide to dental implants - what the procedure involves, who it's suitable for, and what happens to your jaw when a tooth has been missing for a while.
What Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a titanium screw that's placed into the jawbone, where it acts as an artificial tooth root. Once it's integrated with the bone - a process called osseointegration - a crown is attached on top, creating a replacement tooth that looks and functions like a natural one.
The three components are:
The implant - the titanium post placed into the bone. This is what makes the whole system stable.
The abutment - a connector piece that sits above the gum line and attaches the crown to the implant.
The crown - the visible part, custom-made to match the shape, size, and colour of your surrounding teeth.
Done well, an implant is indistinguishable from a natural tooth to anyone looking at it - and you'll notice very little difference in how it feels.
Why Missing Teeth Are More Than a Cosmetic Problem
This is the part most people don't know. When a tooth is lost, the jawbone beneath it gradually shrinks - a process called bone resorption. The root of a tooth stimulates the bone just by being there. Take the root away and the bone has no reason to maintain its density.
Over months and years, this bone loss changes the shape of your jaw, which affects neighbouring teeth (they can drift into the gap), your bite (which shifts when teeth move), and eventually your facial profile (sunken areas around the cheeks and jaw become visible in severe cases).
Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that prevents this. They sit inside the bone and continue to stimulate it the way a natural root would. Bridges and dentures replace the visible tooth but do nothing for the underlying bone.
Who Is Suitable for Dental Implants?
Most adults who are missing one or more teeth are potential candidates, but a thorough assessment is needed before anything is confirmed.
The key requirements are:
Sufficient bone volume. The implant needs enough healthy bone to integrate into. If significant bone loss has already occurred, a bone graft may be needed first - or implant placement may not be viable in that area.
Healthy gums. Gum disease around an implant can cause a condition called peri-implantitis - essentially infection around the implant - which can lead to implant failure. Gum health needs to be established before treatment.
No uncontrolled systemic conditions. Poorly controlled diabetes and some medications can affect healing. These need to be discussed honestly at the assessment stage.
Not a smoker, or willing to quit. Smoking significantly increases the risk of implant failure. It reduces blood flow to the healing tissue and slows osseointegration.
The Dental Implant Process Step by Step
Assessment and planning This is where we determine whether implants are the right choice and whether your bone levels are sufficient. We take detailed imaging - usually a CBCT scan, which provides a 3D map of your jaw - to plan the placement precisely.
Implant placement The titanium post is placed into the jawbone under local anaesthetic. Most patients describe the procedure as more comfortable than they expected. The gum is closed over the implant, and the healing phase begins.
Osseointegration This takes time. The bone needs to grow around and fuse with the titanium, which typically takes three to six months. During this period you may have a temporary crown or a denture to fill the gap aesthetically.
Abutment and crown fitting Once integration is confirmed, the abutment is attached and impressions are taken for your permanent crown. The crown is custom-made in a dental lab and fitted at a final appointment.
The whole process from placement to permanent crown usually takes four to eight months. That sounds long, but most of it is just waiting for biology - you're not in the chair for most of it.
Single Implants vs Multiple Implants vs Implant-Retained Dentures
Single tooth implant - replaces one missing tooth with an independent crown that doesn't involve adjacent teeth at all.
Multiple implants - where several teeth are missing in different areas, individual implants are placed for each.
Implant-supported bridge - where two or more adjacent teeth are missing, implants at each end support a bridge spanning the gap. Fewer implants needed, but the teeth in between are essentially supported rather than individually rooted.
Implant-retained denture - for patients missing most or all teeth in a jaw, a small number of implants (typically four) can anchor a full denture. More stable and comfortable than a conventional denture and better for bone preservation.
How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?
Implants cost more than bridges or dentures upfront. This is straightforward - the materials and the clinical time involved are more significant.
What's worth considering is longevity. A well-placed implant with good oral hygiene can last decades, potentially a lifetime. Bridges and dentures typically need replacing or adjusting over time. The cost comparison over twenty years often looks different from the comparison at year one.
We offer finance options. You don't need to pay the full amount at once, and we go through pricing clearly at the assessment stage - no ambiguity about what's included.
Patients We See From Slough, Windsor, and Maidenhead
We treat dental implants patients from across the area - people searching for dental implants Windsor or a trusted dentist in Slough regularly find their way to us. Burnham is conveniently placed for all three towns, and the continuity of care we offer - seeing the same team throughout your treatment - is something patients genuinely value.
We also handle the full range of dental care alongside implants, including Invisalign treatment for patients who want to straighten teeth before or alongside implant work.
A Note on Timing
If you're already aware of a missing tooth and haven't done anything about it yet, it's worth acting sooner rather than later. Bone loss begins within months of tooth loss and progresses over time. The more bone is lost, the more complex implant placement becomes - and in some cases, bone grafting adds both time and cost to the process.
If you've had a dental implants conversation before and been told you're not suitable, it's worth getting a second opinion. Bone grafting has improved significantly and what wasn't treatable five years ago often is now.
Book an Assessment
We're at 43–45 High Street, Burnham, SL1 7JD. Call 01628 664 614 or book online.
A missing tooth isn't something to leave indefinitely. The assessment will tell you exactly where you stand, what your options are, and what treatment would cost. That's worth an hour of your time.
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