Cannon Street Dental & Implant Centre
Lower Ground, 6 Dowgate Hill, London, EC4R 2SU
Lower Ground, 6 Dowgate Hill, London, EC4R 2SU
Losing a tooth can leave more than a visible gap in your smile. Depending on its position, a missing tooth can affect how you bite and chew, while the surrounding teeth and jawbone can also change over time.
The good news is that there are several ways to replace a missing tooth. For some patients, a single tooth implant provides a fixed replacement that closely replicates the structure of a natural tooth. For others, a bridge or denture may be more appropriate.
The right option depends on your oral health, the condition of the surrounding teeth and bone, your preferences and the complexity of your case.
This guide explains what can happen after tooth loss, how dental implants in London work and what you can expect from your first consultation through to your final restoration.
A missing tooth creates an empty space in the dental arch, but the effects aren’t necessarily limited to the gap you can see.
The surrounding teeth can move over time, while the bone that previously supported the natural tooth root can gradually resorb. The extent of these changes varies between individuals.
Tooth loss can also affect everyday function. Depending on which tooth is missing, you may find chewing less comfortable or change the way you bite.
This doesn’t mean every missing tooth must immediately be replaced. In some circumstances, accepting a gap can be a reasonable option. However, replacement may be recommended where the missing tooth is affecting function, appearance or the health and position of the surrounding structures.
There isn’t one solution that works for every patient.
The main options are dental implants, bridges and dentures, with the appropriate treatment depending on your individual circumstances.
| Treatment | How it works | Often considered for |
|---|---|---|
| Dental implant | An implant is placed into the jaw and supports a crown, bridge or denture | Single or multiple missing teeth where implant treatment is suitable |
| Dental bridge | A replacement tooth is supported by neighbouring teeth or implants | One or more missing teeth with suitable supporting structures |
| Denture | A removable appliance replaces one or several missing teeth | Multiple missing teeth or situations where fixed replacement isn’t suitable |
The NHS describes implants as a fixed alternative to removable dentures and notes that they can be used to replace a single tooth or multiple teeth.
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root placed into the jawbone. Once it has integrated with the surrounding bone, it can support a crown, bridge or denture.
For someone who has lost one tooth, an implant-supported crown can replace the missing tooth without requiring the neighbouring teeth to be prepared as bridge supports.
A bridge replaces a missing tooth by using neighbouring teeth or implants for support.
This can be an effective solution, particularly where the adjacent teeth are already heavily restored or otherwise suitable to support a bridge. However, the design of the bridge and whether the neighbouring teeth need preparation depends on the individual case.
Cannon Street Dental Centre also provides bridges as part of its missing-teeth treatment options.
Dentures are removable appliances that can replace one or several missing teeth.
A partial denture can be used when some natural teeth remain, while a complete denture replaces all the teeth in an upper or lower arch.
For some patients, dentures offer a practical and less invasive alternative to implant treatment. Implant-supported dentures are another possibility where implants are suitable.
A dental implant essentially replaces the root portion of a missing tooth.
The implant is placed into the jawbone, where it needs time to integrate with the surrounding bone. Once the implant has healed sufficiently, a restoration such as a crown can be attached.
For a single missing tooth, the finished result consists of three main elements:
Implant ? abutment ? crown
The implant provides the foundation, the abutment connects the implant to the restoration, and the crown replaces the visible part of the tooth.
This is why implant treatment is different from simply placing a replacement tooth over the gum. The implant is anchored within the jaw, creating a fixed foundation for the restoration.
The first stage is an assessment with an implant dentist.
Your dentist will need to establish whether implant treatment is appropriate and identify anything that could affect the procedure or its outcome.
The consultation may involve:
At Cannon Street Dental & Implant Centre, the published implant consultation is £195 and includes an implantologist consultation, X-rays and CT scan.
This assessment is important because having a missing tooth doesn’t automatically mean an implant is the best treatment. Your dentist should explain all clinically appropriate options before you decide.
Imaging allows your dentist to assess the anatomy beneath the gum as well as what can be seen clinically.
This is particularly important when planning implant placement because the available bone and the position of surrounding structures need to be considered.
If there isn’t enough bone to support an implant safely, your dentist may discuss bone grafting or another treatment approach. Not everyone requires a graft.
At Cannon Street Dental & Implant Centre, CT scanning forms part of the implant consultation and treatment-planning process.
Your dentist can then explain the proposed position of the implant, the type of restoration planned and the expected treatment stages.
Once your treatment plan has been agreed, the implant can be placed into the jawbone.
The exact procedure depends on your case. Some patients require straightforward implant placement, while others may need preparatory treatment first.
The implant then needs time to integrate with the surrounding bone. This is a biological process, so the complete treatment cannot always be finished immediately after the implant is placed.
Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust describes implant treatment as typically involving assessment, possible bone grafting, implant placement and restorative treatment.
Healing is an important part of the dental implant procedure.
During this period, the implant integrates with the jawbone before the final restoration is fitted. The length of this stage varies according to the individual patient and treatment.
If bone grafting is required, this can add additional healing time. Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust notes that treatment involving implants can take around 6 to 12 months overall, although individual timelines vary.
This is why patients should be cautious about comparing their treatment timeline with someone else’s. A simple single-tooth implant and a complex case involving bone grafting are very different procedures.
Once the implant has healed sufficiently, your dentist can fit the final restoration.
For a single tooth implant, this will usually be a custom-made crown.
The crown is designed to fit with your surrounding teeth and should take account of factors such as colour, shape, position and your bite.
For patients missing multiple teeth, implants may instead support a bridge or denture.
The objective is not simply to fill the visible gap. The restoration should provide useful function while integrating naturally with the rest of your smile.
There isn’t a single timeline for dental implant treatment.
A straightforward case may involve fewer stages, while patients who require bone grafting or other preparatory procedures may need a substantially longer treatment period.
The NHS notes that replacement parts need to be carefully prepared to fit the patient’s mouth and surrounding teeth, meaning the process isn’t necessarily completed during the first appointment.
Your dentist should provide an estimated timeline after your assessment and imaging.
The dental implants cost in London varies depending on the treatment required.
Factors can include:
Cannon Street Dental & Implant Centre’s current fee guide, updated in August 2026, lists an implantologist consultation with X-rays and CT at £195, titanium implants from £1,950, titanium post and crown at £1,300, ceramic implants from £2,750, and ceramic post and crown from £1,500. Bone grafting is listed separately at £750.
These are the practice’s published individual fees rather than a universal cost for an entire implant treatment. The total price for your treatment should be confirmed in your personalised treatment plan.
Some discomfort, swelling or bruising can occur following implant surgery, although the experience varies between patients and procedures.
If bone grafting is required, this can involve additional swelling, bruising and discomfort.
Your dental team will provide specific aftercare instructions. These may include guidance on cleaning, eating, medication and activity during the initial healing period.
It’s important to follow these instructions and attend recommended follow-up appointments.
Dental implants are designed as a long-term tooth replacement, but they aren’t maintenance-free.
Good oral hygiene, regular dental examinations and appropriate professional care are important for protecting the implant and surrounding tissues.
Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust notes that implant components can loosen or wear over time and that patients remain responsible for the long-term care of their implants.
The longevity of the implant and restoration depends on several factors, including oral hygiene, health, bite forces and ongoing professional care.
Implants can be an excellent option for replacing missing teeth, but suitability needs to be assessed individually.
Factors your dentist will consider include:
Existing dental problems may need to be treated before implant placement. Cambridge University Hospitals, for example, notes that patients being considered for implants should have good oral hygiene and stable dental health, with active decay or infection addressed first.
If an implant isn’t appropriate, your dentist can discuss alternatives such as a bridge or denture.
Yes. A single tooth can be replaced using an implant-supported crown where implant treatment is clinically suitable.
The consequences vary depending on the tooth and your individual circumstances. The surrounding teeth and bone can change after tooth loss, and a gap may affect chewing or appearance. Your dentist can assess whether replacement is advisable in your particular case.
Not necessarily. Some patients have sufficient bone for implant placement, while others may require a graft or another approach. Imaging is used to assess the situation.
Not automatically. Implants are fixed replacements that can replace a tooth root, but bridges and dentures can also be appropriate depending on your oral health, anatomy, preferences and budget.
There is no single London-wide price. The total depends on the number of implants, restoration, imaging and whether additional procedures are required. Cannon Street Dental & Implant Centre publishes its current implant fees online.
Treatment can range from a relatively straightforward process to several months or longer. Where multiple stages or bone grafting are involved, treatment may take 6–12 months overall.
A missing tooth doesn’t necessarily mean you need an implant, but it’s worth having the gap assessed if you’re concerned about your appearance, chewing or long-term oral health.
For patients considering dental implants in London, the first step is a consultation rather than committing immediately to treatment. An examination and appropriate imaging can establish whether an implant is suitable and allow you to compare it with alternatives such as a bridge or denture.
Cannon Street Dental & Implant Centre provides implant consultations in the City of London, with its current service including a comprehensive assessment, treatment plan, X-rays and CT scanning.
If you’re ready to explore your tooth replacement options in London, a consultation can give you a clearer understanding of what’s possible, how long treatment could take and what it is likely to cost.
020 8075 7106