What Are Dental Implants?
What Are Dental Implants?
Leaside Village Dental - Dental Implants - FAQs
Leaside Village Dental - Are dental implants worth the cost?
A dental implant is a small titanium screw that replaces a missing tooth root. During a minor surgical procedure, the implant is placed into the jawbone beneath your gums, where it naturally fuses with the bone. It’s then topped with a custom restoration—such as a dental crown—so it looks, feels, and functions like a real tooth.
Considering dental implants is a significant decision. If you’re curious but unsure of what to expect, we’re here to guide you through the process so you can make an informed and confident choice about your care.
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Why You Might Need Dental Implants
Your natural teeth do more than just complete your smile—they support your facial structure, maintain proper bite alignment, and allow you to eat and speak with ease.
When a tooth is lost, the surrounding teeth can shift out of alignment, increasing your risk of oral health issues such as decay, gum disease, and jaw discomfort. Even if those effects aren’t immediately noticeable, one consequence is unavoidable: bone resorption.
Without a tooth root to stimulate it, your jawbone begins to break down over time—a process that can lead to facial sagging, wrinkles, and a prematurely aged appearance.
Dental implants are the closest replacement to natural teeth. They help:
- Prevent bone loss
- Maintain facial shape and structure
- Restore function and comfort
- Improve the overall appearance of your smile
By choosing implants, you’re not just replacing a missing tooth—you’re protecting your long-term oral health and quality of life.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
Losing a tooth can impact more than just your smile—it can affect your confidence, your ability to eat comfortably, and your long-term oral health. Gaps between teeth can lead to bone loss, shifting teeth, and bite issues over time.
- Restore Your Natural Appearance: Dental implants look, feel, and function like real teeth. Each one is custom-designed to match your natural teeth in shape, size, and colour for a seamless, confident smile.
- Feel Confident in Your Comfort: The implant fuses with your jawbone, creating a stable foundation that securely holds crowns, bridges, or dentures—so you can eat, speak, and laugh worry-free.
- Improve Bone Strength: Implants help prevent bone loss by stimulating bone growth in the jaw, preserving your facial structure and supporting long-term oral health.
Dental implants are a long-term solution that not only restores function and aesthetics but can also last for decades with proper care.
Dental Implant Restorations
While the implant itself is hidden below the gum line, the restoration is the visible part that completes your smile. It’s the custom-made “false tooth” that attaches to the implant, restoring function and appearance.
Here are the most common types of implant restorations:
- Dental Crown: The most common option for single-tooth implants. A custom dental crown is attached to the implant, blending in seamlessly with your natural teeth.
- Dental Bridge: Used to replace multiple missing teeth in a row. One or two implants can support a bridge, closing larger gaps. For full-arch restoration, an implant-supported bridge may be anchored to four or more implants.
- Implant-Supported Denture: A removable denture can be made more stable and secure by clipping it onto two or more implants—eliminating the need for adhesives and improving comfort.
A New Life with Dental Implants Awaits
Your smile won’t just be restored—it will be renewed. Dental implants offer a long-lasting, natural-looking solution that can truly transform your confidence and quality of life.
They’re easy to care for: simply brush and floss daily, protect them during sports, and visit us regularly for checkups to ensure your implant stays strong and healthy.
With proper care, your dental implant can provide years of comfort, function, and beautiful, confident smiles.
Start today by booking a consultation
How It Feels
While the idea of placing a metal implant into your jawbone might sound intimidating, most patients are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the procedure actually is.
We use a local anaesthetic to completely numb the area, so you won’t feel any pain during the surgery. With the help of advanced dental technology, we place implants quickly, precisely, and conservatively—minimizing trauma, discomfort, and recovery time.
In fact, many patients describe the experience as uneventful—some even feel relaxed or drowsy during the 30-minute procedure. The most inconvenient part may simply be keeping your mouth open for a few minutes.
Mild swelling, soreness, or bruising is normal after the anaesthetic wears off, but the discomfort is generally minimal and easy to manage with simple aftercare. We’ll provide clear instructions to help you feel better as quickly as possible, often within just a few days.
With a success rate of nearly 95%, dental implants are one of the safest and most predictable procedures in modern dentistry—offering you peace of mind along with a long-lasting solution.
What to Expect on Your Dental Implant Treatment Journey
The dental implant process is more comfortable and straightforward than many patients expect—thanks to modern techniques and detailed planning.
Consultation and Assessment
Your journey begins with a thorough consultation. We’ll take X-rays and a 3D cone-beam CT scan to assess your jawbone and ensure you’re a good candidate for implants. We’ll also take a digital scan or impression of your teeth to precisely plan the placement and angulation of your implant.
Placing the Implant
Before surgery, we’ll use a local anaesthetic to completely numb the area. Your dentist will create a small opening in the gum and bone to gently place the implant post. In some cases, sutures may be used to help the area heal properly.
Healing and Restoration
After your implant is placed, you’ll return home to allow the area to heal over the next few months as the implant fuses with your bone. Once healing is complete, you’ll return to the clinic for your custom dental restoration—such as a crown, bridge, or denture. You’ll leave with a brand-new, fully functional tooth that looks and feels natural.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Cost of Dental Implants in East York
In East York, the cost of a single dental implant typically ranges from $3,000 to $6,000+. For full-mouth dental implant reconstruction, pricing can range anywhere from $6,000 to $60,000, depending on complexity. A full set of implant-supported dentures averages around $30,000.
Because every case is unique, it’s not possible to provide an accurate quote over the phone. The implant procedure involves multiple steps and considerations that are tailored to your individual needs.
What Factors Influence the Cost of Dental Implants?
- The type and number of implants needed
- The materials used for the implant and restoration
- The skill, experience, and time of your dental care team
- The complexity of the procedure and surgical planning
- Post-operative care and follow-up requirements
We recommend booking a consultation and oral exam so we can assess your needs and provide a personalized treatment plan along with an accurate quote.
Are There Alternatives to Dental Implants?
Yes. For 1 to 3 missing teeth, a dental bridge may be an option. For multiple missing teeth or full-arch restoration, removable dentures or fixed dental prosthetics can also be considered.
While dental implants have a higher initial cost, they offer long-term value by being more secure, natural-feeling, and low-maintenance. Dentures and bridges may require more frequent adjustments or replacements over time.
With proper care, a dental implant can last a lifetime—brushed, flossed, and maintained just like your natural teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not at all. The metal implant post is hidden beneath your gums, and the visible restoration—whether a crown, bridge, or denture—is custom-designed to match the shape, size, and colour of your natural teeth. Most people can’t tell the difference.
Dentures and implants serve different purposes. Dentures rest on the gums and may shift slightly, while dental implants are anchored in the jawbone for enhanced stability and bite strength. Both options have pros and cons, so the best choice depends on your unique needs. A consultation can help determine the most suitable treatment.
Yes. If dental implants aren’t the right fit for you, dental bridges or full and partial dentures may be excellent alternatives. We’ll help you explore every option during your consultation to find the best solution for your oral health and lifestyle.
Most healthy adults are candidates for dental implants, but sufficient jawbone density and good oral health are important. If necessary, preparatory treatments like bone grafting can help make implants possible for more patients.
Absolutely. Your implant-supported restoration will be custom-crafted to match the look and feel of your natural teeth—down to the shape, shade, and alignment. Most patients find it difficult to tell which tooth is the implant.
The procedure is generally pain-free and completed under local anaesthesia. With today’s advanced techniques, implant surgery is precise, minimally invasive, and causes little discomfort. Post-op symptoms like swelling or soreness are usually mild and manageable with aftercare.
Most patients return to work the next day. Depending on your specific case, we’ll let you know in advance if you should allow more time for rest and recovery.
Just like natural teeth, implants require regular care. We typically recommend dental check-ups and cleanings every 6 months, though this may vary depending on your needs.
Care for your implants as you would your natural teeth: brush and floss daily, attend routine cleanings, and notify your dentist if anything feels off. Proper care helps your implants last a lifetime.
No. Dental implants are designed to be a permanent solution. With good oral hygiene and regular dental visits, your implant can last for decades—often a lifetime.
