Huntsville SmilesDentistry
Hours (705) 788-9229

Autumn · Restore

Dental implants

A pine sapling sets its root in a crack in the granite and holds fast. An implant gives a missing tooth a new, steady root.

A dental implant is a small post, usually made of titanium, that replaces the root of a missing tooth. Once it heals into the bone, it can hold a crown, a bridge or a denture.

(705) 788-9229
Oil painting of a young white pine growing from a crack in pink granite on a lakeshore, with blue hills beyond

An implant stands on its own. It doesn’t rely on the teeth beside it, so they don’t need to be shaped. It also helps keep the jawbone in that spot healthy, since bone tends to shrink where a tooth is missing.

Implants aren’t right for everyone. You need healthy gums and enough bone, and things like smoking or poorly controlled diabetes can slow healing. Treatment takes several months from start to finish. Depending on your needs, some cases may be referred to a specialist.

How it works

  1. 01

    Consultation

    We examine your mouth, take x-rays, review your health and talk through your options, including bridges and dentures.

  2. 02

    Placing the implant

    With the area numbed thoroughly, the implant is placed gently into the jawbone through a small opening in the gum.

  3. 03

    Healing

    Over the next few months, the bone grows around the implant and locks it in place. You may wear a temporary tooth in the meantime.

  4. 04

    Your new tooth

    Once it has healed, we attach a custom crown, bridge or denture, shaded to match your smile.

Afterwards

After the implant is placed, expect some swelling and tenderness for a few days. Cold packs, soft foods and pain medicine as directed can help.

Once your new tooth is in place, care for it like a natural tooth. Brush twice a day, clean around it daily and keep up with regular check-ups. Implants can’t get cavities, but the gum and bone around them can still become infected if plaque builds up.

Questions people ask

Does getting an implant hurt?

The area is numbed thoroughly, so you should feel pressure but not pain during the procedure. Afterwards, soreness is usually manageable with over-the-counter pain medicine and settles within a few days.

How long does the whole process take?

Often three to six months or more, from placing the implant to fitting the final tooth. It can take longer if a tooth needs to be removed or bone added first.

How long do implants last?

With good care and healthy gums, implants can last many years. The crown on top may need replacing at some point because of normal wear.

Are implants covered by insurance?

Coverage varies widely, and some plans don’t cover implants at all. We’ll give you a written estimate before treatment and can send a pre-determination to your insurer.

Related care

Along the same trail

All care
Oil painting of a weathered wooden footbridge crossing a rocky creek in a Muskoka forest, with ferns and pines on both banks Fixed bridges A fixed, natural-looking way to fill the gap left by a missing tooth. Learn more A laughing grandfather and his young grandchild fishing together off a wooden dock in warm evening light Complete & partial dentures Complete and partial dentures, plus repairs and relines for a comfortable fit. Learn more A hand gently lifting a smooth pale stone out of clear, shallow lake water above a bed of pebbles Extractions & oral surgery Gentle tooth removal, including wisdom teeth, with clear aftercare advice. Learn more

Come sit a while.

New patients, returning patients and visitors to Muskoka are all welcome. Tell us what’s going on and we’ll find a time that suits you.

(705) 788-9229

Hours: Mon–Thu, 8 am – 5 pm