"I was born in the 60s and, at that time, teeth were filled with amalgam. If a filling didn't hold, it was repaired... over and over again. In my case, I was finally forced to undergo a root canal. Five or six years after the root canal, the tooth finally failed and my dentist had no option other than to extract the bad tooth."

Because the tooth was further back in Charlotte's mouth (to be accurate, tooth number 5), it was not immediately thought of as a catastrophe.

Charlotte is a very sociable woman with good self-confidence. When she was younger, she was an elite runner, and training is still a part of her regular routine. However, her job as a market coordinator requires much social interaction, which means she needs to look her best and be outgoing.

"My first thought was, it will never show. Then I hesitated; at 48 years of age, should I already have a missing tooth in my lower jaw? It was an inner battle, and vanity and self-confidence were winning."

A close friend of Charlotte's suggested a dental implant, an option she was aware of. Of course, the implant would cost a bit more, but it would last a lifetime. And, it is wonderful not to be self-conscious every time one opens his or her mouth.

"The whole procedure was simple, quick and without drama. I had no question about the competence of the specialists, and I felt confident and comfortable with the treatment I received. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. These days, I don't give one thought about having an implant. It feels totally natural."