Single tooth implant: replacing one missing tooth
How one implant and one crown replace a single missing tooth, what each stage involves, and what to ask before you agree to a treatment plan.
What a single tooth implant involves
A single tooth implant replaces one missing tooth with one implant and one crown. The implant is placed in the bone where the tooth's root used to be, an abutment is attached, and a crown is made to fit the space and the bite. The teeth on either side are not normally cut down to support it, which is one of the main differences from a conventional bridge.
It is the most common way people first come across implant treatment, often after a tooth has cracked, failed after a root canal, or been removed because of decay or infection. A dentist decides whether an implant is a suitable option in each case.
Where the tooth is matters
The position of the missing tooth changes the conversation. A front tooth raises questions about appearance, the gum line and what you will wear while the implant heals. A back tooth takes more chewing force and may sit close to the sinus in the upper jaw or a nerve in the lower jaw, which is one reason a 3D scan is often used in planning.
If the tooth was lost some time ago, the bone in that spot may have changed shape. The dentist may then discuss adding bone before or during placement. Our guide to bone grafting and sinus lifts explains why.
Immediate or delayed placement
Sometimes an implant can be placed on the same day a tooth is removed. In other cases the dentist lets the socket heal first, or adds bone and waits. Similarly, some cases allow a temporary crown on the implant soon after placement, while others need the implant left alone to heal. These choices depend on the bone, the gum and the forces on the tooth, and they are clinical decisions for the treating dentist.
Questions to ask about a single implant plan
Taking a written list of questions makes the appointment more useful. These are a good starting point:
- Who will place the implant, and who will make and fit the crown?
- Which stages are included in the quote, and which are billed separately?
- What will I have in the gap while the implant heals?
- Which implant system and crown material do you use, and why for my case?
- How many visits are planned, and over how long?
- What does maintenance involve after the crown is fitted?
What influences the cost
We do not publish prices. The practice that assesses you gives you a treatment plan and a quote for your case. These are the factors that usually make the difference:
- Whether the tooth still needs to be removed, and when.
- Whether bone grafting or a sinus lift is needed at that site.
- Planning imaging, such as a CBCT scan.
- The crown material and the laboratory that makes it.
- The abutment type: stock or custom-made.
- Any temporary tooth worn during healing.
- Sedation, if used.
- Your medical aid's rules on implant procedures and on the crown.
Our guide to what influences a dental implant quote explains how to read an itemised plan.
Frequently asked questions
Does a single implant affect the teeth next to it?
The neighbouring teeth are not normally cut down to support an implant crown, unlike a conventional bridge. The dentist will check those teeth as part of the assessment.
Can the implant go in the day the tooth comes out?
Sometimes. It depends on the bone, the gum and the position of the tooth. The treating dentist decides whether immediate placement suits your case.
Will I have a gap while it heals?
Usually not for front teeth, where a temporary tooth is commonly provided. Ask the dentist what temporary option applies to your case and whether it is included in the quote.
Do you publish single implant prices?
No. We explain the factors that change the cost. The practice that assesses you gives you a quote for your case.