A missing tooth is not just a gap. The teeth on either side drift into the space, the tooth above it drifts down looking for something to bite against, and the bone that used to hold the root starts to shrink because nothing is loading it any more. Five years on, the problem is bigger than the one tooth.

An implant is the only replacement that goes into the bone rather than sitting on top of it, which is why it is the only one that keeps the bone working.

Three parts, placed in stages.

• The implant. A small titanium post, roughly the size of a natural tooth root, placed into the jawbone. Titanium is used because bone will grow directly onto its surface, a process called osseointegration. This is the part that replaces the root.
• The abutment. A connector that attaches to the implant and sits just above the gumline.
• The crown. The visible tooth, made in a lab to match the shade and shape of the teeth around it, and screwed or cemented onto the abutment.

Once it has healed, you brush and floss it like a normal tooth. You do not take it out at night, it does not need adhesive, and it does not rely on the teeth beside it for support.

This is the question the page you are replacing never answered, and patients consistently underestimate it.

An implant is not a single appointment.

1. Assessment and planning. Examination, X-rays, and a 3D scan to measure the bone and locate the nerve and sinus. You get a written plan and the full cost before anything begins.
2. Extraction, if the tooth is still there. Sometimes the implant can go in the same day; often the site is allowed to heal first.
3. Bone grafting, if needed. If there is not enough bone to hold an implant, bone can be added. This adds three to six months before placement.
4. Placing the implant. A surgical appointment, usually 60 to 90 minutes under local anaesthetic. Most patients are back at work the next day and describe it as easier than an extraction.
5. Three to six months while bone integrates with the implant. You are not without a tooth during this time; a temporary is provided where it shows.
6. The crown. Impressions or a digital scan, then the final crown fitted a few weeks later.

Start to finish, a straightforward case runs about four to six months. A case needing extraction and grafting first can run nine to twelve. We will tell you which one you are at the planning stage, not partway through.

Candidates for dental implant treatment are people that generally have good health and practice proper oral hygiene practices. Adequate bone levels in your jaw are also required to support the dental implant, and healthy gum tissues that are free of periodontal disease is a must in order for your dental implant treatment to be successful.

Implants can benefit those missing some or all of their teeth. Dental implants can be used individually, or to support a number of dental prostheses, including implant-supported bridges and dentures.

Most adults are. The assessment looks at four things.

Bone

An implant needs enough bone to hold it. Bone shrinks after a tooth is lost, faster in the first year, so a tooth missing for a long time may need grafting first. A 3D scan measures this precisely rather than guessing from a flat X-ray.

Gums

Active gum disease has to be treated before an implant goes in. The same bacteria that destroy bone around natural teeth destroy it around implants, a condition called peri-implantitis, and it is the most common cause of late implant failure. Treating the gums first is not a delay tactic; it is what makes the implant last.

Smoking

Smoking substantially increases the risk of implant failure. It impairs healing at the surgical site and raises the rate of peri-implantitis afterwards. We will still treat you, but you should know the odds are different, and stopping even for the healing period measurably improves them. The page you read elsewhere that does not mention this is not doing you a favour.

Medical history

Uncontrolled diabetes impairs healing and needs to be managed before surgery. More importantly, tell us if you take or have taken bisphosphonates or denosumab, medications commonly prescribed for osteoporosis, sold under names including Fosamax, Actonel, Prolia, and others. These affect how jawbone heals after surgery and carry a small risk of a complication called medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw. It does not automatically rule out an implant, but it changes the planning and we have to know.

Also tell us about previous radiation treatment to the head or neck, any blood thinners, and any condition affecting healing or immunity.

This is the most searched question about implants in Calgary and almost no clinic answers it, so here is how the cost is actually built.

An implant is not one fee. A single tooth replacement is typically billed as three or four separate items: the surgical placement of the implant, the abutment, the crown, and, where needed, bone grafting or an extraction beforehand. When you see a single low number advertised, it is usually the placement alone, with the abutment and the crown still to come.

We charge the Alberta Dental Association Fee Guide, and you receive a written treatment plan listing every code and the total before anything is booked. If grafting turns out to be necessary, you will know at the planning stage, not after the surgery.

Implant coverage varies widely between insurance plans, and some exclude implants entirely while covering the crown. We submit a predetermination to your insurer before treatment so you know your portion in advance rather than guessing.

How much do dental implants cost in Calgary?

An implant is billed in parts: the surgical placement, the abutment, the crown, and any bone grafting or extraction needed first. A single advertised figure usually covers placement only. Midpark Dental charges the Alberta Dental Association Fee Guide and provides a written plan with every code and the full total before treatment begins. We also submit a predetermination to your insurer so you know your portion in advance.

How long does the whole process take?

A straightforward single implant takes about four to six months, most of which is bone healing around the implant rather than appointments. A case needing an extraction and bone grafting first can take nine to twelve months. You are not left without a visible tooth during healing.

Does getting an implant hurt?

The placement is done under local anaesthetic and most patients report it as more comfortable than the extraction that preceded it. Expect some soreness and swelling for a few days, managed with over-the-counter pain medication. Most people return to work the next day.

How long do dental implants last?

Around 95% of implants are still in place at ten years in well-selected patients, and many last decades. The crown on top is a separate component and may need repair or replacement over that time. Daily cleaning and regular checkups are what keep the number high.

Can I get an implant if I smoke?

Yes, but smoking substantially increases the risk of failure by impairing healing and raising the rate of peri-implantitis. Stopping during the healing period measurably improves your odds. We will discuss this honestly rather than declining to mention it.

What if I do not have enough bone?

Bone can be added with a graft, which adds roughly three to six months before the implant is placed. A 3D scan at the planning stage measures exactly how much bone is available, so this is known before you commit rather than discovered during surgery.

Midpark Dental, 201-239 Midpark Way SE, serving Midnapore, Sundance, Shawnessy, Bridlewood, Evergreen, and Chaparral. You will leave the consultation with a written plan and a full cost, and no obligation to proceed. Call (403) 201-7999.