Dental implants: the closest thing to getting the tooth back.
A missing tooth changes more than your smile — it affects how you eat, how the teeth around it shift over time, and often how you feel talking to people. Implants are the closest thing dentistry has to replacing a natural tooth. The titanium post fuses with your jawbone, and the crown on top is made to look and function like the tooth it replaces.
How implants work
An implant has three parts: a titanium post that's placed in the jawbone, an abutment that connects the post to the visible portion, and a custom-made crown that matches your other teeth. The post integrates with bone over three to six months — a process called osseointegration — which gives it the stability of a natural root. Once healed, the crown goes on. How long an implant lasts depends a great deal on your gum health, your bite, and how well it's maintained; well-cared-for implants can last many years, but nobody can promise you a lifetime.
What we handle in-house
We do the assessment and planning here: X-rays, bone assessment, and treatment coordination, arranging any 3D imaging the surgeon needs. The surgical placement of the implant post itself is done by an oral surgery specialist — we arrange and coordinate that referral. Once the post is placed and healed, you come back to us for the abutment and crown, the part you actually see. We use digital impressions for the fit.
Are you a candidate?
Most adults with adequate bone density are candidates. If you've been missing a tooth for a while, bone loss in that area may require a graft before placement — imaging will show us. Conditions like uncontrolled diabetes or heavy smoking can affect healing and we'll discuss that honestly. Age on its own isn't a disqualifier.
Cost and timeline
Implant costs depend on the tooth, the bone, and whether any grafting is needed, and the surgical portion is billed separately by the specialist who places it. Insurance coverage varies — some plans cover part of the placement, others cover the crown as a major restorative procedure. We'll give you a written quote for our part and run a predetermination so you see your insurer's own estimate before committing. Start to finish, the timeline is usually four to eight months, with most of that being healing time between placement and crown.
Common questions
Does getting an implant hurt?+
Placement is done under local anaesthesia, so you shouldn't feel pain during the procedure itself. Soreness for a few days afterwards is normal and usually manageable with over-the-counter painkillers — your surgeon will give you specific aftercare instructions.
Can I get an implant the same day a tooth is extracted?+
In some cases, yes — this is called immediate placement. It depends on the bone quality and whether there's infection. We'll assess this during planning.
What if I'm missing multiple teeth?+
Implants can support bridges (replacing two to four teeth on two posts) or full-arch restorations. We'll plan what makes sense for your situation.
Related services
Root Canal Treatment in Yellowknife
Most patients who need a root canal are already in pain — and the root canal is what makes it stop. The procedure has a reputation that's decades out of date. Modern root canal treatment is done under local anaesthesia and usually takes about an hour; many patients find it much less of an ordeal than they expected.
Sedation Dentistry in Yellowknife
If the thought of sitting in a dental chair makes your heart rate go up, you're not unusual — dental anxiety is one of the most common reasons people put off care. We see it every week, and we don't treat it as something to get over. We treat it as something to plan around.
Ready when you are.
Book online any time, or call reception and we’ll find you a slot. In pain? Say so when you call and we’ll get you seen as soon as we can.