The dental implant crown is the visible part of your single tooth implant — the tooth-shaped restoration that sits on top of the implant post. At Secrets, every dental implant crown is handcrafted in our on-site laboratory, Southport Dental Services, by skilled technicians who have been making dental restorations since 1971.
We use high-quality porcelain and zirconia materials to create dental implant crowns that match the exact shade, shape, and translucency of your surrounding natural teeth. The crown is custom-designed using digital impressions for a precise fit, ensuring comfortable occlusion and a natural appearance that is virtually impossible to distinguish from a real tooth.
Dental implant crowns are cemented or screw-retained onto the abutment that connects to the implant post. Both methods offer excellent stability, and your dentist will recommend the approach best suited to the position of the tooth and your clinical situation.
A single tooth implant is the most effective and conservative way to replace one missing tooth. Unlike a traditional dental bridge, which requires filing down the two teeth either side of the gap, a single tooth implant stands independently. A titanium or ceramic post is placed directly into the jawbone, where it integrates over several weeks to form a stable foundation for a custom-made dental implant crown.
The result is a replacement tooth that looks, feels, and functions exactly like a natural tooth. It preserves the jawbone at the site of the missing tooth, prevents neighbouring teeth from drifting into the gap, and restores your full chewing ability. At Secrets in Southport, we use premium implant systems and craft every restoration in our in-house laboratory for an exceptional fit.
Dental implant restoration is the process of fitting the final prosthetic tooth onto your integrated implant. Once the implant post has fully fused with the jawbone, typically after 8 to 16 weeks, your dentist takes detailed impressions of the implant site and surrounding teeth. These are sent to our in-house laboratory, where your custom restoration is fabricated.
The dental implant restoration appointment itself is straightforward and usually takes around an hour. Your dentist fits the abutment and crown, checks your bite carefully, and makes any fine adjustments needed for perfect comfort and function. You leave the practice with a fully functional, permanent replacement tooth.
For front teeth, where aesthetics are paramount, we take extra care with shade matching and gum contouring to ensure the dental implant restoration is indistinguishable from your natural teeth.
Implant post placement refers to the surgical insertion of the titanium or ceramic fixture into the jawbone. The implant post is a small, screw-shaped component that acts as an artificial tooth root. Precise implant post placement is the foundation of a successful single tooth implant, and our experienced team uses guided surgery techniques to achieve optimal positioning.
The angle, depth, and position of implant post placement directly affect the stability of the implant, the aesthetics of the final restoration, and the long-term health of the surrounding bone and gum tissue. At Secrets, we use 3D imaging and computer-guided planning to determine the ideal implant post placement for every patient.
Following implant post placement, a biological process called osseointegration begins. The bone cells grow around and bond to the surface of the implant post, creating a secure anchor that can withstand normal biting and chewing forces. This process typically takes 8 to 16 weeks.
Implant placement surgery is a carefully planned, minimally invasive procedure carried out under local anaesthesia at our Southport practice. Using digital imaging and precise surgical guides, your dentist creates a small channel in the jawbone and places the implant post with millimetre accuracy.
The implant placement surgery typically takes 30 to 60 minutes for a single implant. Most patients are surprised by how comfortable the procedure is, reporting less discomfort than a tooth extraction. IV sedation is available for patients who experience dental anxiety, ensuring a relaxed and stress-free experience.
After implant placement surgery, a healing cap or temporary restoration is placed over the implant site. You will receive detailed aftercare instructions and pain management guidance. Most patients return to normal activities within a day or two, with any mild swelling or tenderness resolving within a week.
When a tooth is extracted, the bone that once supported it begins to resorb and shrink. Socket preservation is a procedure performed at the time of extraction to maintain the volume and shape of the bone, ensuring there is sufficient bone for future implant placement.
During socket preservation, the extraction site is carefully cleaned and filled with a biocompatible bone graft material. A membrane is placed over the graft to protect it and encourage new bone growth. The socket is then closed with sutures and allowed to heal over several months.
Socket preservation is particularly important when a dental implant is planned but cannot be placed immediately after extraction. Without socket preservation, significant bone loss can occur within weeks of extraction, potentially making future implant placement more complex or requiring additional bone grafting procedures. Our team at Secrets routinely performs socket preservation to give our implant patients the best possible foundation.
In many cases, a damaged, decayed, or failing tooth must be removed before an implant can be placed. Tooth extraction for implants requires a careful, atraumatic technique that preserves as much surrounding bone and gum tissue as possible to create the best conditions for implant success.
At Secrets, our dentists are experienced in performing gentle tooth extraction for implants, using techniques that minimise trauma to the socket walls and surrounding structures. In some situations, the implant can be placed immediately into the extraction site on the same day, a procedure known as immediate implant placement. This can reduce overall treatment time and the number of surgical appointments.
When immediate placement is not suitable, we combine tooth extraction for implants with socket preservation to maintain bone volume until you are ready for implant placement. Your dentist will discuss the best approach at your consultation based on the condition of the tooth and surrounding bone.
Even with excellent care, implant restorations can occasionally be damaged by trauma, excessive grinding, or normal wear over many years. Dental implant repair at Secrets covers a range of issues, from a chipped or cracked implant crown to a loose abutment or a worn prosthetic component.
In most cases, dental implant repair involves replacing or repairing the restoration (crown or abutment) rather than the implant fixture itself, which typically remains securely integrated in the jawbone. Our in-house laboratory can fabricate replacement crowns quickly, minimising the time you spend without your restoration.
If you notice any looseness, discomfort, or visible damage to your implant, contact us promptly. Early dental implant repair prevents further complications and protects the long-term health of the implant.
Screw-retained implant restorations use a small internal screw to secure the crown to the abutment and implant post. Occasionally, this screw may loosen, fracture, or need to be replaced as part of routine maintenance. Implant screw removal is a straightforward clinical procedure that our experienced implant team performs regularly.
Using precision instruments designed for implant systems, your dentist carefully accesses the screw channel, removes the damaged or loosened component, and fits a new screw. The procedure is usually completed in a single short appointment and does not affect the implant fixture or the surrounding bone.
If you have a screw-retained implant and notice any clicking, movement, or discomfort when biting, this may indicate a loose screw. Contact Secrets Dental & Medical Centre for prompt implant screw removal and refitting to prevent further damage to the restoration.
We take a conservative approach, replacing one tooth without affecting the healthy teeth either side of the gap. Our in-house laboratory crafts custom implant crowns on-site for a perfect colour match and natural appearance, while guided implant surgery using 3D imaging and digital planning ensures precise, predictable placement. Our socket preservation expertise protects your bone from the moment a tooth is extracted.
As a CQC registered practice, we deliver single tooth implants to the highest clinical standards. We offer transparent pricing, comprehensive aftercare with a structured follow-up and long-term maintenance programme, and flexible finance plans to spread the cost over affordable monthly payments. IV sedation is available for nervous patients to ensure a comfortable experience throughout.
The complete process typically takes 3 to 5 months. This includes the implant placement surgery, a healing period of 8 to 16 weeks for osseointegration, and the fitting of the final dental implant crown. A temporary tooth is provided during the healing phase so you are never without a tooth.
In most cases, yes. A single tooth implant preserves the adjacent teeth, which do not need to be filed down as they would for a bridge. Implants also stimulate the jawbone, preventing the bone loss that occurs under a bridge pontic. A single tooth implant typically lasts significantly longer than a bridge.
Socket preservation is a bone grafting procedure performed at the time of tooth extraction to prevent bone loss. It is recommended when a dental implant is planned but cannot be placed immediately. Your dentist will advise whether socket preservation is needed based on your individual case.
In some cases, immediate implant placement is possible on the same day as tooth extraction for implants. This depends on the condition of the extraction site, the amount of available bone, and the absence of infection. Your dentist will assess suitability at your consultation.
A chipped or broken implant crown can usually be repaired or replaced without affecting the implant fixture. Our in-house laboratory can fabricate a new dental implant crown quickly. Contact us promptly for dental implant repair if you notice any damage.
The cost of a single tooth implant varies depending on the implant system used and the complexity of your case. We provide a full written quote at your consultation with no hidden fees. Finance options are available to spread the cost over manageable monthly payments.
Implant screw removal is a minor procedure to replace a loose or fractured internal screw within a screw-retained implant restoration. It is a quick appointment using precision instruments and does not affect the implant itself. A new screw is fitted immediately.
Implant placement surgery is performed under local anaesthesia, so you will not feel pain during the procedure. Most patients report it is more comfortable than a tooth extraction. IV sedation is available for nervous patients. Any post-operative discomfort is typically mild and manageable with standard painkillers.
Secrets Dental & Medical Centre is located at 147 Liverpool Road, Birkdale, Southport, PR8 4NT. We are easily accessible from Southport town centre, Ainsdale, Formby, and across Merseyside.
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
