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- Monday to Friday, 9:00am-5:30pm. Saturdays by request only. Sunday: Closed.
Croydon Dental Practice · Replacing missing teeth
A dental implant replaces the root of a missing tooth and supports a crown, bridge or denture on top. Implants are placed in-house at our dentist in Croydon on Lower Addiscombe Road by an experienced implant clinician, starting with a £75 consultation.
Missing most of your teeth in one jaw? Find out about All-on-4 dental implants in Croydon – a fixed full arch of teeth on four implants, from £6,495 per arch.
An implant is a small screw-shaped post, usually made of titanium, that is placed into the jawbone where a tooth is missing. Over the following months the bone heals tightly around it, giving a stable base. A connecting piece called an abutment is then fitted, and a custom-made crown, bridge or denture is attached on top.
Because an implant sits in the bone rather than leaning on neighbouring teeth, it does not usually require healthy teeth either side of the gap to be cut down, which is often needed for a conventional bridge. Implants do involve minor surgery, more appointments and a higher cost than most alternatives, and the consultation helps you decide whether they suit you.
These are the main approaches your clinician may discuss with you.
One implant supports one crown to fill a single gap, such as a tooth lost through injury, decay or a failed root filling.
Gaps in different parts of the mouth can each be assessed and treated with their own implant where the bone allows.
Where several teeth in a row are missing, two or more implants can support a bridge, so you need fewer implants than missing teeth.
A small number of implants can help hold a denture firmly in place. Many people who struggle with a loose lower denture find this approach worth discussing.
The main things we look at are your general health, the health of your gums and remaining teeth, and the amount and quality of bone where the implant would go.
Bone health. After a tooth is lost, the bone in that area gradually shrinks. If there is not enough bone, a bone graft may be needed before or at the same time as the implant, which can add several months to treatment. If an implant is not sensible for you, we will say so.
Gum health. Active gum disease needs to be treated and under control first, because it can also affect the tissues around an implant. Our gum disease treatment and hygienist appointments help with this.
Smoking and medical history. Smoking, poorly controlled diabetes and some medicines (for example certain bone-strengthening drugs) can raise the risk of an implant not healing well. Please tell us about these at your consultation.
From the first appointment to the finished tooth, straightforward cases often take several months. Cases needing extractions or bone grafting usually take longer, and your written plan will give you a realistic timeline.
Implant placement is carried out under local anaesthetic, the same type of numbing used for fillings, so the area is numb during the procedure. You will feel pressure and vibration but should not feel sharp pain; if you do, tell us and we will stop and give more anaesthetic. Please note that we do not offer sedation at the practice.
If you feel anxious, let us know when you book. We can explain each step before we start, agree a stop signal, allow extra time and break treatment into shorter visits where that is practical. Our nervous patients page explains more about how we support people who find dental visits difficult.
Afterwards, most people have some swelling, tenderness and occasionally bruising for a few days. We give you written aftercare instructions.
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks. These include infection, bleeding, swelling and, occasionally, damage to nearby nerves, sinuses or teeth. A small number of implants do not bond with the bone and need to be removed. In the longer term, the gum and bone around an implant can become inflamed (peri-implantitis), particularly if cleaning is difficult or you smoke.
Implants are one option among several. Alternatives include:
Sometimes reasonable, especially at the back of the mouth, though neighbouring teeth can drift over time.
A fixed false tooth attached to the teeth next to the gap. Usually quicker than an implant. See dental bridges.
A removable plate replacing one or more teeth, available on the NHS or privately. See dentures.
An implant cannot decay, but the gum and bone around it need the same care as natural teeth. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, clean between your teeth every day with interdental brushes or floss as shown by our team, and keep up your check-ups and hygiene visits. If you grind your teeth, a night guard can help protect the crown. Implant crowns can chip or loosen over the years and may need repair or replacement.
Call us on 020 8656 6959 if the implant tooth feels loose, the gum around it bleeds, swells or tastes unpleasant, or your bite feels different.
A single implant with its crown starts from £2,250, and All-on-4 from £6,495 per arch. Every case is different, so after your consultation and any scans you receive a written, itemised quote covering each stage.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Implant consultation (deducted from treatment if you go ahead) | £75 |
| Single implant – Snucone | From £2,250 |
| Single implant – Straumann | From £2,750 |
| All-on-4 (per arch) | From £6,495 |
| Implant bridges and implant-retained dentures | Written personalised quote after assessment |
| New patient examination with X-rays | £65 |
Spreading the cost: for selected private treatments you can apply for finance through Tabeo, including 0% interest for up to 12 months. Finance is subject to status, and we will explain the options before you commit. See our full price list for other treatments.
Dental implants are not usually available on the NHS. If you are an NHS patient, ask us about NHS alternatives such as bridges or dentures, and call to check NHS availability.
Clear, illustrated guides to help you and your family weigh up implant treatment.
Fees, what a quote covers and finance.
The post, connector and crown explained.
How the three options compare.
Each stage from consultation to crown.
What can change if a gap is left.
When extra bone is needed, and the options.
A self-check and decision path.
Aftercare and what affects longevity.
Full-arch options side by side.
One implant and crown to replace one missing tooth.
Dentures that clip securely onto implants.
A fixed full arch of teeth on four implants.
Restoring a broken or heavily filled tooth that can still be saved.
A fixed alternative to an implant that uses the teeth next to a gap.
Removable replacements for one, several or all teeth, NHS or private.
When a tooth cannot be saved, the first step before replacing it.
Croydon Dental Practice is at 202 Lower Addiscombe Road, Addiscombe, Croydon CR0 7AB. Addiscombe tram stop is a short walk away and East Croydon station is nearby, so it is easy to reach from across the borough. We are open Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:30; Saturday appointments are by request and we are closed on Sunday.
The implant consultation is £75, and this is taken off your treatment if you go ahead. Because every case is different, the treatment price is given as a written personalised quote after your consultation and scans.
No, we do not offer sedation. Implants are placed under local anaesthetic, which numbs the area. If you are nervous, tell us when you book and we will explain each step, agree a stop signal and allow extra time.
Placing a single implant often takes around an hour. The bone then usually needs about three to six months to heal before the final tooth is fitted. Bone grafting or extractions can extend this, and your written plan will include a timeline.
Many implants last for many years when they are looked after well, but no treatment lasts forever. Smoking, gum disease and grinding can shorten their life, and crowns on implants may need repair or replacement over time.
Implants are not usually available on the NHS. NHS alternatives for replacing missing teeth include bridges and dentures where clinically appropriate. Call 020 8656 6959 to check NHS availability.
Book a £75 implant consultation to find out whether implants suit you. The fee is deducted from treatment if you go ahead. Open Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:30.
