Dental implant questions, answered

A dental implant is a small titanium post that replaces the root of a missing tooth. It is placed in the jawbone, where it bonds with the bone over a few months (a process called osseointegration). A custom crown, bridge or denture is then attached on top, so the new tooth looks, feels and works like a natural one.

Most adults with one or more missing teeth can have implants. What matters most is healthy gums and enough jawbone to hold the implant, and if bone has been lost, a bone graft can often rebuild it. Conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes or heavy smoking can slow healing, so your dentist will review your health history, take a 3D CBCT scan and confirm your options at your consultation.

Implant placement is done under local anaesthetic, so you should feel pressure but not pain. Most patients describe recovery as mild soreness for a few days, managed with over-the-counter pain relief. If you feel anxious, ask about our sedation options.

It depends on your case. A single implant usually takes a few months from placement to the final crown, because the bone needs time to bond with the implant. If you need an extraction or bone graft first, allow extra healing time. Your treatment plan includes an expected timeline before you commit to anything.

The implant itself is designed to be permanent. With good daily brushing and flossing and regular check-ups, it can last a lifetime. The crown on top takes the wear of everyday chewing and may need replacing after many years, which is simple because the implant stays in place.

Just like natural teeth: brush twice a day, clean between your teeth daily with floss or interdental brushes, and keep up with regular check-ups and cleanings. Healthy gums are the key to a long-lasting implant.

Our implants are titanium. We use established implant systems including Straumann, Hiossen, Neodent, Nobel and Megagen, chosen to suit your condition and preferences. Ceramic (metal-free) Straumann implants can also be ordered on request.

They are full-arch solutions: a complete, fixed bridge of teeth anchored to four to six implants in the upper or lower jaw. Because the teeth are fixed in place, they don’t come out at night and don’t need adhesives.

Fixed full-arch teeth are permanently attached and can only be removed by your dentist. An implant overdenture is a removable denture that clicks onto implants, so it is far more secure than a regular denture but can still be taken out to clean. Overdentures usually need fewer implants. Your dentist will help you weigh comfort, budget and upkeep.

Often, yes. Many patients move from loose dentures to an implant overdenture or fixed full-arch teeth. A CBCT scan shows how much bone you have; if bone has shrunk after years of denture wear, grafting or a different implant layout may be recommended.

A single dental implant starts from $1,299*, and a single implant with a crown starts from $2,299*. A CT scan to confirm the right implant for you is an additional $100. Multiple-tooth and full-arch treatments are quoted individually at your consultation, because they depend on how many implants and what type of teeth you need. See our pricing for details.

Starting prices reflect typical implant and crown costs for a straightforward case and include follow-up appointments. They don’t include the $100 CT scan or extra procedures some patients need, such as extractions or bone grafting. You’ll receive a clear quote before treatment begins. *Conditions apply, and prices may change if our supplier costs change.

Coverage varies. Many plans don’t cover the surgical placement of an implant but may cover part of the crown or related procedures. For implant treatment we usually work on a non-assignment basis: you pay the clinic, and our team helps you submit claims so your insurer reimburses you for anything your plan covers.

Yes. Flexible patient financing is available at participating clinics, subject to credit approval. You can apply online at any time, get a quick decision, and spread the cost into manageable monthly payments. See patient financing for the clinics that offer it.

Many of our clinics accept the CDCP. What is covered depends on the procedure and your eligibility, so check with your clinic. On Find Your Dentist you can filter for clinics that accept the CDCP.

You’ll meet the implant team, have digital photos and a 3D CBCT scan taken, and get a full exam of your teeth and gums. The doctor then explains your options, timeline and costs, and answers your questions. There is no obligation to go ahead.

Yes. The consultation is free and there is no obligation to start treatment. If a CT scan is needed to plan your implant, it is $100, and your clinic will tell you before it is taken.

No referral is needed. You can book a consultation directly with any of our clinics.

Absolutely. Bring your existing quote or treatment plan and we’ll review it, explain the options and give you our own recommendation.

Photo ID, your dental insurance details if you have them, a list of the medications you take, and any recent x-rays or treatment quotes from another dentist.

Yes, at three levels: minimal oral sedation (a pill taken before your appointment), moderate IV sedation, and deep sedation. Oral sedation is available at all our clinics and IV sedation at select clinics. Deep sedation is currently offered at our Burnaby clinic, where two sedation dentists are present throughout.

It depends on how anxious you feel, how long your procedure is and your medical history. Mild nerves are often well managed with oral sedation; longer treatments such as wisdom teeth removal may suit IV sedation; deep sedation is for severe dental anxiety. Your dentist will recommend the safest option for you.

With moderate IV sedation you stay awake and able to respond, but you feel deeply relaxed and may remember little of the procedure. With deep sedation you are in a sleep-like state throughout.

No. After any sedation you’ll need a responsible adult to take you home, and you shouldn’t drive or operate machinery for the rest of the day. Your clinic will give you specific instructions before your appointment.

Not always. Wisdom teeth are usually removed when they are impacted, infected, decayed, crowding other teeth or causing pain, or preventatively when x-rays show they are likely to cause problems. Your dentist will check their position and explain whether removal is recommended.

Most people feel back to normal within a few days after a simple extraction; surgical and wisdom tooth extractions can take about a week. Rest for the first day, eat soft foods, and avoid smoking and drinking through a straw so the blood clot can protect the socket.

In most cases, yes. A gap lets neighbouring teeth drift and the jawbone shrink over time. A dental implant is the most natural-feeling replacement, and it can often be planned together with the extraction.

A bone graft rebuilds jawbone lost through missing teeth, gum disease or injury, so there is enough solid bone to hold an implant. Common types include socket grafts after an extraction, ridge augmentation and sinus lifts for the upper back jaw.

Guided surgery uses your CBCT scan and a 3D intraoral scan to plan the exact position of each implant on a computer. A custom surgical guide then helps the dentist place the implant precisely, which can mean less downtime and sometimes no stitches. All our dentists are also experienced in freehand placement planned from 3D scans.

Yes. We diagnose and treat gum (periodontal) disease, from deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) to gum grafts, pocket reduction and regenerative procedures. Healthy gums are essential before and after implant treatment.

Your care is provided by experienced dentists, with certified specialists involved where your case calls for them. Our doctors bring more than 100 years of combined experience and have performed thousands of implant procedures. You can meet them on our Meet the Team page.

We have clinics across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. Use Find Your Dentist to search by city or postal code, filter by services, and see hours and contact details for each clinic.

Book a free consultation online, use the Book online button on any clinic page, or call your nearest clinic directly.