Single Tooth Dental Implants by Dr Nikhil Oberai
If you’ve been living with a missing tooth, I want you to know, there is a permanent answer, and it’s simpler than you think. I’ve spent over a decade helping people across Cheshire and beyond replace missing teeth with implants that look, feel, and work exactly like the real thing. If you’re ready to stop managing around a gap and start living without thinking about it, I’d love to help.
A missing tooth isn't just a dental problem. It changes things.
Most people don’t book a dental appointment the day a tooth goes missing. They wait. They adapt. They find workarounds, the angle in photos, the foods they skip, the way they hold their expression in conversation. And then one day, months or years later, they decide enough is enough.
If that’s you, you are in exactly the right place. And the solution is more straightforward than you probably expect.
The only tooth replacement that replaces the root, not just the gap
Most tooth replacement options deal with what you can see above the gumline. A dental implant works differently. It replaces the entire tooth, the visible crown on top and the root underneath.
A small titanium post is placed into the jawbone where your missing tooth was. Over several weeks it fuses with the bone, a natural, reliable process called osseointegration. Once that bond is secure, a custom-made porcelain crown is fitted on top. The result looks, feels, and bites like the tooth that was there before.
Nothing is removable. Nothing is temporary. Nothing requires the adjacent healthy teeth to be ground down. Just a permanent tooth that you brush and forget about.
- Why patients come to see me
Does any of this sound familiar?
Hiding your smile
You've developed habits you barely notice any more. The closed-lip smile. The head position in group photos. The way you hold your expression when something funny happens. It's become automatic but it wasn't always.
Changing what you eat
Crusty bread. Apples. A proper steak. There are foods you used to eat without thinking that you've quietly drifted away from. Not dramatically. Just gradually.
The low-level awareness
In meetings, on dates, in ordinary conversations. There's always a small part of your mind that wonders whether it's been noticed. It takes up mental space you'd rather use for something else.
Worry about the other teeth
A gap left untreated doesn't stay the same. Adjacent teeth shift into the space over time. The jawbone beneath begins to shrink. What starts as one missing tooth can quietly become a bigger problem. The sooner it's addressed, the simpler the solution.
The good news is, a single dental implant can fix all of this, for good.
Every single thing described above, the avoided foods, the closed-mouth smile, the low-level awareness that never quite switches off, is fixable. Permanently. Not with a workaround. Not with something you remove at night. With a tooth that replaces the one you lost, root and all, and gets on with the job without you having to think about it.
A single tooth dental implant is the only tooth-replacement solution that works the way a natural tooth does, from the root in your jawbone to the crown above your gumline. Once it has integrated and your permanent crown is fitted, it looks identical to the teeth around it, it handles the same biting forces, and it stimulates the jawbone the way a natural root does.
Most of our patients tell us one of two things when they’re done. Either they wish they hadn’t waited so long. Or they say they can’t believe how straightforward it was.
Usually both.
I’ve placed thousands of implants at my practices in Northwich and Wilmslow over more than a decade. The results speak for themselves but what I find most rewarding isn’t the clinical success rate. It’s watching someone look in the mirror at the end of treatment and realise they can smile freely again. That never gets old.
- Real Patient Results
Thousands of Smiles Transformed
Be our Next Success Story!
Experience personalised dental care designed to help you achieve your dream smile.
Here's what I actually do in plain English
I know “dental implant” can sound daunting before you understand what it involves. So let me explain it simply.
When a tooth is lost, two things are missing: the visible tooth above the gumline, and the root underneath it. Most replacement options only deal with the first part. An implant deals with both.
I place a small titanium post into the jawbone where your missing tooth was. That post acts as a new root. Over the following weeks it fuses with the surrounding bone, a completely natural process that creates a stable, permanent foundation. Once that’s done, I fit a custom-made porcelain crown on top. It’s designed to match the exact colour, shape, and size of the teeth around it.
The result is a permanent tooth. You brush it like a normal tooth. You eat with it like a normal tooth. You forget it’s there, which, honestly, is exactly the point.
Not sure where to begin? Speak to someone.
Explore Related Treatments
- Your Dental implant Journey
From your first visit to your new smile, here is every step
I believe you should know exactly what’s ahead before you agree to anything. Nothing in my practice happens without your full understanding and complete comfort at every stage.
Free 3D Smile Assessment
Your consultation is completely free and includes a full cone beam CT scan of your jaw. That scan gives me a precise picture of your bone density, nerve positions, and the exact anatomy of the area. You leave with a written treatment plan and a complete cost breakdown to take home. No pressure to proceed. No rush. Just complete clarity.
Free · Approximately 45 minutesFull Case Assessment
Before any treatment begins, I carry out a comprehensive examination — your gum health, bone density, and the condition of the surrounding teeth. This is where I confirm that an implant is the right solution for your specific situation and walk you through exactly what placement will involve. Sedation is always available if that would help.
Clinical planning · Tailored to your caseImplant Placement
Under local anaesthetic, I place a small titanium post into the jawbone where your missing tooth was. That post acts as your new tooth root. A temporary crown is fitted the same day so you leave with no visible gap. Most patients tell me it was far more comfortable than they expected — often less noticeable than a tooth extraction.
Day procedure · 45–90 minutesHealing & Integration
Over the next 6 to 12 weeks, the implant quietly fuses with the surrounding bone — a natural process called osseointegration. You carry on with your normal life throughout. I check in with you at regular intervals and my team is always available if you have questions along the way.
6–12 weeks · We are with you throughoutAbutment Placement
Once the implant has fully integrated, I attach a small connector piece — the abutment — to the top of the post. This links the implant to your final crown. A straightforward appointment with minimal discomfort.
Short appointment · Minimal discomfortYour Permanent Crown is Fitted
Your custom-made porcelain crown is designed to match the exact colour, shape, and size of the teeth around it. I take a great deal of care over this stage — I want the result to be indistinguishable from a natural tooth, because that is what it should be. You leave with a complete, permanent smile.
Final appointment · Approximately 60 minutes- Why Invest in an Implant
Here's what my patients tell me after treatment
I could list clinical advantages here. But the things my patients actually tell me about, the things that genuinely matter to them, are rather more specific than that.
They smile freely again
The self-consciousness goes. Completely. Not gradually, completely. They stop thinking about the angle in photos. They stop holding their expression back. They get their smile back, and they stop giving it a second thought.
Their surrounding teeth stay exactly as they are
Unlike a bridge, which requires the adjacent healthy teeth to be significantly ground down, an implant stands completely independently. I never touch a tooth that doesn't need to be touched.
They eat whatever they like
Steak. Crusty bread. Apples. Everything they'd quietly been avoiding comes back on the menu. An implant handles the same biting and chewing forces as a natural tooth, with no restrictions and no second-guessing.
Their jawbone stays healthy
When a tooth root is lost, the bone beneath begins to shrink — gradually changing the structure of the jaw. An implant stimulates the bone exactly the way a natural root does. That process stops. The face maintains its natural shape.
It's the last tooth replacement they'll ever need
With normal brushing, flossing, and regular check-ups, the titanium root of a dental implant can last a lifetime. I'm not asking you to manage it, replace it, or think about it again. That's the point.
- Transparent Pricing
How much does a single dental implant cost in the UK?
It’s the question I get asked most often before a first consultation and I think it’s a completely fair question. So here is a straight answer.
Single tooth implants at my practices in Northwich and Wilmslow start from £2,550. That is a complete treatment price it includes your free CT scan, the implant itself, the abutment, a temporary crown, your permanent custom porcelain crown, and all follow-up appointments during the treatment period. No hidden costs.
The honest caveat is this: every patient’s case is different. Bone density, anatomy, whether a bone graft is needed, these affect the final figure. A price quoted without seeing your scan is a guess. The precise, written cost for your specific situation is confirmed at your free 3D Smile Assessment, before you commit to anything.
From £2,550 includes:
- Free 3D CT scan and consultation with me personally
- Titanium implant placement, Osstem TSIII system, 99.5% success rate
- Healing abutment and temporary crown
- Custom porcelain crown, matched to your natural teeth
- All follow-up care during treatment
- Full written treatment plan to take home
0% finance through Tabeo
Spread the cost over 12 months with no interest added. Beyond 12 months, an APR applies. I’ll walk you through the exact monthly payment options at your consultation.
- Talk to Our Team
Not sure if you're suitable? Give us a call. There's no obligation.
We understand that choosing a dental implant is a significant decision. Our team is here to answer any questions, with no pressure, no sales tactics, and no obligation to proceed.
- START WITH A CONSULTATION
What Your Free 3D Smile Assessment Includes:
Full 3D CT Scan
A full cone beam CT scan of your jaw — included at no charge. This gives Dr Nikhil a precise picture of your bone density, nerve positions, and implant suitability.
Written Treatment Plan
You will leave with a full written treatment plan and a complete cost breakdown. Nothing is left vague or estimated.
An Honest Conversation
Dr Nikhil will take the time to understand your situation, answer every question, and give you an honest clinical opinion — with no pressure to proceed.
Finance Options Explained
If 0% finance is right for you, we will walk you through the options in detail so you can make a fully informed decision.
Response Within 1 Working Day
We respond to every enquiry within one working day. Often same day.
- Making the right choice
Is a dental implant better than a bridge or a denture for a missing tooth?
It is the question patients ask most often before booking. Here is the honest comparison.
| Replacement Option | Single Implant | Dental Bridge | Partial Denture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Looks like a natural tooth | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✗ Often obvious |
| Preserves jawbone | ✓ Yes | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| No damage to adjacent teeth | ✓ Yes | ✗ Teeth drilled | ✓ Yes |
| Permanent (does not need replacing) | ✓ Lifetime | ✗ 10–15 yrs | ✗ 5–7 yrs |
| Eat without restrictions | ✓ Yes | Some limits | ✗ No |
| No daily removal or adhesive | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✗ Daily removal |
- MEET YOUR CLINICIAN
I'm Dr Nikhil Oberai MSC & Dental Implants are all I do
I qualified from Manchester Dental School in 2008 and went straight back in 2014 to complete a Master’s Degree in Dental Implantology — because I wanted to do this properly, not incidentally. Since then I’ve placed thousands of implants at my two Cheshire practices and I now teach the same MSc programme as an Honorary Clinical Teaching Fellow at the University of Manchester.
The cases I find most satisfying are the ones other practices have declined. Patients with lower bone density. Patients whose treatment abroad has failed. Patients who’ve been told it simply can’t be done. In the vast majority of cases, it can. It just needs someone willing to find out.
My success rate is 99.5%. I’m proud of that number — and I intend to keep it.
- BDS, University of Manchester (2008)
- MSc Dental Implantology, University of Manchester (2014)
- Honorary Clinical Teaching Fellow — University of Manchester
- Key Opinion Leader — Osstem UK
- External Examiner, BAIRD Implant Course
- Award Winning dentistry
- GDC No. 150126
- Frequently Asked Questions
Every Question Answered Before You Book
Here are the questions our single implant patients ask most often — answered honestly and in plain language.
With normal care, brushing twice daily, flossing, and regular dental check-ups, a dental implant can last the rest of your life. The titanium post typically lasts decades; the porcelain crown may require replacement after 15–20 years but the implant itself remains in place. This is the key reason implants are considered the most cost-effective long-term tooth replacement option.
Most patients report that the procedure itself is surprisingly comfortable. Local anaesthetic is used throughout, and the vast majority of Dr Nikhil’s patients say the experience was far less uncomfortable than they had anticipated. There may be some tenderness and mild swelling for 2–5 days afterwards, which is easily managed with standard over-the-counter pain relief.
The complete treatment, from your free 3D Smile Assessment through to fitting your permanent crown, typically takes 4 - 6 months. The implant placement itself takes 45 - 90 minutes. You then have a healing period of 6 - 12 weeks while the implant integrates with your jawbone, during which you will have a temporary crown so there is never a visible gap.
Most adults in reasonable health are suitable for dental implants. The key factors are sufficient bone density in the jaw and healthy gums. If you have been told you are unsuitable elsewhere due to low bone density, it is worth seeking a second opinion, Dr Nikhil regularly places implants in complex cases, including those requiring bone grafting beforehand. Your free 3D CT scan will give a definitive picture.
At Heritage Smile Group, single tooth dental implants start from £2,550. This is a complete treatment price that includes your consultation, 3D CT scan, implant placement, healing abutment, and custom porcelain crown. There are no hidden costs. 0% finance is available via Tabeo, with monthly payments typically from £71/month over 36 months.
A dental bridge fills a gap by crowning the two teeth on either side and suspending a false tooth between them. This requires drilling healthy adjacent teeth and does not prevent bone loss beneath the gap. A dental implant stands entirely independently, preserves the jawbone, and requires no modification to adjacent teeth. While the upfront cost of an implant is higher, it typically outlasts a bridge significantly and does not compromise neighbouring teeth.
In many cases, yes. Bone grafting can rebuild the volume needed to support an implant — and this is an area of particular expertise for Dr Nikhil Oberai. Your 3D CT scan will show exactly how much bone you have. If grafting is recommended, it will be included in your written treatment plan with full costs.
The first step is a free 3D Smile Assessment at one of our Cheshire practices — Croft Dental in Wilmslow (SK9) or Brunner Court in Northwich (CW9). This includes a full cone beam CT scan, a clinical assessment by Dr Nikhil, and a written treatment plan with a complete cost breakdown. You are under no obligation to proceed. Book using the form on this page, call 01625 523 524 (Wilmslow) or 01606 440 394 (Northwich), or request a callback.