Frequently asked questions

Many adults who are missing one or more teeth can be considered for dental implants, but candidacy is decided case by case. A dentist generally looks at the health of your gums, how much bone is available where the tooth is missing, your general health and any medications you take, and how you would like to chew and speak day to day.

Some people are candidates right away. Others may need preparatory treatment first, or may be better served by a different option. The only way to know is an in-person evaluation that includes imaging.

Timelines vary widely. A straightforward single implant with healthy surrounding bone may move from placement to final restoration over a period of several months, because the implant needs time to integrate with the bone before the final crown is attached.

Cases that involve extraction, grafting or several teeth can take longer. Your dentist can give you a realistic schedule for your specific situation once imaging and an examination are complete.

Implant placement is usually performed with local anesthesia so the area is numb during the procedure. Many patients describe the appointment itself as more manageable than they expected.

Some soreness, swelling or bruising afterwards is common, and your dentist will discuss what to expect and how discomfort is typically managed. Individual experiences differ, and no dental procedure can be described as free of discomfort for every patient. If anxiety is a concern for you, raise it at the consultation — sedation options may be available.

Bone can shrink in an area where a tooth has been missing for a long time, and that finding is common. It does not automatically rule out an implant.

Depending on how much bone is available and where, a dentist may discuss procedures that build up or preserve bone, implant positions that use the bone you do have, or alternatives to implants. A 3D scan gives a far more precise picture than a standard x-ray, so a second evaluation is often worthwhile if your previous assessment did not include one.

There is no single price, because an implant is not a single item. The total depends on how many implants are needed, whether imaging, extraction or bone work is required, the type of restoration placed on top, and the materials used.

For that reason this website does not publish a price. The participating provider reviews the specific plan with you and explains the full cost in writing before any treatment is scheduled, so you can make a decision with complete information.

Coverage varies considerably between plans. Some dental plans contribute toward part of implant treatment, some contribute toward the restoration but not the implant itself, and some exclude implants entirely. Annual maximums often limit what a plan pays in a single year.

The provider can review your plan details with you and help you understand what your benefits may contribute before you commit to treatment.

Dental implants are designed as a long-term restoration, and many remain in function for many years. Longevity depends on individual factors including oral hygiene, gum health, bite forces, smoking, general health and regular professional care.

The restoration attached to an implant — the crown, bridge or denture — may need repair or replacement over time even when the implant itself remains stable. No dentist can guarantee how long any dental restoration will last for a particular person.

A traditional bridge spans a gap by anchoring to the teeth on either side, which usually means reshaping those neighbouring teeth even when they are healthy. A dental implant is placed into the jawbone in the position of the missing tooth and supports its own restoration, so adjacent teeth are generally left intact.

Because an implant sits in the bone, it can also help maintain bone in that area, which a conventional bridge does not do. A bridge may still be the more suitable choice in some situations. Your dentist can explain the trade-offs for your particular case.

Yes, this is a common reason people ask about implants. A small number of implants can be used to hold a denture firmly in place, which many patients find more secure than a denture that rests on the gums alone.

Some designs allow the denture to be removed for cleaning while still snapping securely into place; others are fixed and removable only by the dentist. Which approach may suit you depends on bone volume, your goals and your budget, and is decided together with your dentist.

A consultation is a conversation and an examination, not a commitment. Expect the dentist to ask what is bothering you and what you would like to be able to do, examine your mouth, and review imaging to assess bone and surrounding structures.

From there you should receive an explanation of the options that apply to you, what each would involve, roughly how long it would take, and what it would cost. You are free to take that information away and think about it.