Dental implants in Vancouver.

An implant is placed in the jaw to support a replacement tooth. A single-tooth replacement usually has three components: the implant in the bone, a connector and the visible crown. Placement, healing and fitting the final tooth are distinct stages. The implant and crown can also have different maintenance or replacement needs.

Assessment considers your medical and dental history, gum health, available bone, the space for the final tooth and your ability to clean the area. Imaging, including a 3D scan when clinically indicated, supports rather than replaces the examination. Some people need additional treatment before placement; others may be better suited to an alternative.

An implant uses support from the jaw and avoids preparing neighbouring teeth for support, but requires surgery. A conventional bridge relies on neighbouring teeth and may make more sense if those teeth already need crowns. Their condition, the space, surgical considerations and your preferences all matter. Neither option is automatically superior for every patient.

Dental implant treatment usually follows a staged plan: assessment and imaging, discussion of options, implant placement, healing, then records and fitting of the final tooth. A healing period of around 10 to 16 weeks may be part of the plan. Bone grafting, implant stability and your healing response can change the sequence and timing.

Local anaesthetic and an individual comfort plan are discussed before implant treatment. Soreness and swelling can occur during recovery and depend on the procedure. Recovery instructions cover the first days after surgery and the later stages of treatment. Worsening pain, increasing swelling or persistent altered sensation needs prompt review.

Research shows high long-term survival for dental implants, with published ten-year estimates of about 93% to 96%. Survival means the implant remains in place; it does not mean there will be no gum problems or crown repairs. Long-term success depends on effective cleaning, professional care and ongoing monitoring.

The implant itself cannot develop tooth decay, but the tissues around it can develop inflammation and bone loss. Being cavity-resistant does not make it maintenance-free. Cleaning access around the final crown matters, so we explain a method you can use daily and monitor the surrounding gum and bone at follow-up visits.

Potential risks include healing problems, infection, gum or bone changes, and site-specific issues such as nerve or sinus involvement. Their relevance depends on your anatomy and health; one percentage should not be applied to every procedure. We also discuss whether saving a tooth, using a bridge or accepting and monitoring a space is reasonable.