VisitsThree or four visits
TimeA few months of healing
WhoPlaced and restored in-house
In short
An implant is a titanium post placed in the jaw where a tooth root used to be, with a crown fitted on top once the bone has healed around it. It replaces a missing tooth without grinding down the teeth beside it, and it stays put when you eat.
Does this sound like you?
- A tooth was pulled or knocked out and the gap bothers you when you chew.
- You have a partial denture or old bridge you would rather replace with something fixed.
- A tooth is cracked below the gum and cannot be saved with a root canal or crown.
- A full denture keeps slipping and you want implants to hold it in place.
- Neighbouring teeth are starting to tip or drift into an old gap.
Implant, bridge or denture?
Dr. Malik does all three downstairs at 5105 Hurontario, Unit 6, and gives you a written estimate for each.
Implant
Best for: One or a few gaps, healthy bone, and you want something fixed for the long run
- What it is
- A post in the jaw with a crown on top
- Visits typically
- Three or four, spread over several months
- How long it usually lasts
- Often the longest; the post can last decades, the crown less
- Neighbouring teeth
- Left alone; it stands on its own
- Cleaning at home
- Brush and floss like a normal tooth
- Cost and insurance
- Costs the most up front; plans often cover part of the crown, surgery less often
Bridge
Best for: A gap with strong teeth either side, or when bone is too thin for a post
- What it is
- A false tooth cemented to crowns on the teeth either side
- Visits typically
- Usually two, a few weeks apart
- How long it usually lasts
- Often ten years or more with good care
- Neighbouring teeth
- Teeth either side are ground down to hold it
- Cleaning at home
- Floss under the false tooth with a threader or water flosser
- Cost and insurance
- Costs less; plans often cover part, treated like crowns
Removable denture
Best for: Several missing teeth, a tighter budget, or health that rules out surgery
- What it is
- A plastic or metal plate with teeth that clips in and comes out
- Visits typically
- Usually two to four over a few weeks, then small adjustments
- How long it usually lasts
- Often the shortest; needs relining as the jaw changes
- Neighbouring teeth
- Clasps rest on nearby teeth and can wear them over time
- Cleaning at home
- Take it out at night, brush it and soak it
- Cost and insurance
- Costs the least; plans often cover part and usually the most readily
The implant journey, month by month
Typical timing; a bone graft adds a few months at the start.
- Month 0: Consult and scan
Exam, X-rays and a look at the bone. You leave with a written estimate and a plan, including whether a graft comes first.
- Month 0 to 1: Placement
The post goes in during one appointment, fully numbed, nitrous oxide if you want it. Soreness usually settles within a week.
- Months 1 to 6: Healing
Bone grows onto the post, usually three to six months. Soft foods for the first days, then normal eating on the other side.
- Around month 4 to 6: Abutment
A short visit to attach the connector. Sometimes it is placed on the same day as the post.
- Month 4 to 7: Crown
An impression is taken, then the crown is fitted a few weeks later and your bite is checked. You can chew on it that week.
- Every six months after: Check-ups
Regular cleanings, with the gum around the implant checked each time. Most problems, if any, show up early here.
What happens.
First visit to finish, in order.
Three or four visitsA few months of healingPlaced and restored in-house
- Exam and X-raysDr. Malik checks the gap, your bite and the bone under it with X-rays. You need enough healthy bone to hold the post; if it is thin, he tells you whether a graft comes first, or whether a bridge or denture is the better choice.
- Placing the postWe numb the area properly, with nitrous oxide if you want it. Dr. Malik places a titanium post in the jaw where the root was, and you go home with written aftercare.
- HealingOver a few months the bone grows onto the titanium and locks the post in place. If the gap shows, you can wear a temporary tooth over it meanwhile.
- Abutment and crownOnce the post is solid, a small connector called an abutment is attached to it. A crown matched to your other teeth is then fitted on top.
- Looking after itYou brush and floss an implant like any other tooth, and we check it at your regular cleanings.
Cost and insurance.
An implant is billed in stages, for the post, the abutment and the crown, usually across three or four visits over several months. Many dental plans cover part of the crown and some cover part of the surgery. We bill your insurance directly. You see the estimate in writing before anything starts, including any bone graft. No insurance? We tell you the cost up front.
Questions people ask.
Does getting a dental implant hurt?
The area is fully numb before the post goes in, and we stop if you need a break. Expect some soreness for a few days afterwards, much like having a tooth pulled.
How long does a dental implant take from start to finish?
Usually a few months. The post needs time to fuse with the bone before the crown goes on, and a bone graft adds to that.
Is an implant better than a bridge?
A bridge is quicker, usually two visits a few weeks apart, but it relies on grinding down the teeth on either side of the gap. An implant stands on its own and leaves those teeth alone. Dr. Malik lays out both, with an estimate for each, so you can decide.
Do I need to see a specialist for an implant?
Not here. Dr. Malik places the post and fits the crown himself, downstairs at 5105 Hurontario, so you are not sent to a second office.