Dental Implants in London

Reviewed by Dr. Adel Elbaz, DDS, general dentist · Last reviewed October 24, 2026

Dental Implants in London, Ontario

A dental implant replaces a missing tooth from the root up. A small titanium post is placed in the jawbone, the bone heals around it, and a custom crown is attached on top. The result looks like a natural tooth, is cleaned like one, and is strong enough to chew on normally, without touching the healthy teeth beside it.

At Lunar Smile Dentistry on Wharncliffe Road South, Dr. Adel Elbaz plans and places implants and makes the teeth that go on them, so your care stays in one office from the first consultation to the final crown.

Limited-time offer: save $1,000 on dental implant treatment. Ask about it when you book your consultation.

What a dental implant is made of

1. The implant: a titanium post, about the size of a natural tooth root, placed in the jawbone. Titanium is used because bone bonds to it well.
2. The abutment: a small connector that attaches to the implant and rises just above the gum.
3. The restoration: what you see and chew with. That can be a single crown, a bridge across several implants, or a full denture that clips or screws onto implants.

What implants can replace

• One missing tooth: a single implant with a crown. The teeth on either side are left alone, unlike a bridge.
• Several teeth in a row: two or more implants holding an implant bridge, so you don’t need one implant per tooth.
• All the teeth in a jaw: a full set of teeth held by several implants, either removable for cleaning (an implant-supported denture) or fixed in place.
• A loose denture: two or more implants under an existing or new denture can stop it slipping and make chewing much easier. This is one of the most common reasons people come to us about implants.

Why people choose implants

• They look and feel natural. The crown is shaped and shaded to match your other teeth.
• They don’t move. No slipping, clicking or adhesive, unlike a removable denture.
• Neighbouring teeth stay untouched. A bridge needs crowns on the teeth beside the gap; an implant stands on its own.
• They help keep the jawbone. Bone that no longer supports a tooth slowly shrinks. An implant puts chewing forces back into the bone.
• They can last a long time. Studies generally report high long-term success for implants in healthy, non-smoking patients who keep them clean. The crown on top may need replacing after many years of wear.

Implant, bridge or denture?

There’s no single right answer. An implant is often best when the teeth beside the gap are healthy. A bridge can make sense when those teeth already need crowns. A denture is the simplest and most affordable start and can be upgraded with implants later. We’ll go through each option for your mouth.

Are you a good candidate?

Most adults who are missing teeth can have implants. We’ll check:

• Your gums: active gum disease needs treating first, because it is the main threat to implants too
• Your bone: there needs to be enough bone to hold the implant. If there isn’t, grafting can often rebuild it (see below)
• Your health: well-controlled diabetes is usually fine. Some conditions and medications, such as certain bone drugs or recent radiation to the jaw, need careful planning with your doctor
• Smoking: smoking raises the risk of implant problems. Stopping before treatment and during healing makes a real difference
• Age: implants are placed once the jaw has finished growing, usually in the late teens or later. There’s no upper age limit

Not enough bone?

When a tooth has been missing for a while, or was removed after an infection, the bone can be too thin or short for an implant. We can often fix that with:

• a bone graft, placed at the time of an extraction or before the implant
• a sinus lift, which adds bone under the sinus above the upper back teeth

Both are covered on our oral surgery page.

The implant process, step by step

1. Consultation and planning. We examine your mouth, take x-rays including a panoramic x-ray, and take a digital scan of your teeth. We explain your options, the timeline and the full cost before anything begins.
2. Preparing the site. If a damaged tooth is still there, we remove it, sometimes with a bone graft at the same visit. Gum disease or cavities elsewhere are treated first.
3. Placing the implant. With the area well frozen, the implant is placed in the bone. Most people say it was easier than they expected, and often easier than the extraction. Sedation is available if you’re anxious.
4. Healing. Over roughly three to six months, the bone bonds to the implant. You won’t be left without a tooth in a visible spot; we can give you a temporary option.
5. The final tooth. We attach the abutment and fit your custom crown, bridge or denture, check your bite, and make sure you’re happy with how it looks.

What recovery is like

After the implant is placed, expect some tenderness and mild swelling for a few days. Most people go back to work the next day.

• use cold packs on the cheek for the first day
• take pain relief as we advise; many people need only over-the-counter medication
• eat soft foods and chew on the other side for the first week or so
• rinse gently with warm salt water from the next day
• don’t smoke, and avoid using a straw for the first few days

Call us if you have bleeding that won’t stop, swelling that gets worse after three days, or a fever.

Caring for your implants

Implants can’t get cavities, but the gum and bone around them can become inflamed and infected (peri-implantitis) if plaque builds up, much like gum disease around a natural tooth.

• brush twice a day, including around the gum line of the implant
• clean between teeth daily with floss, interdental brushes or a water flosser; we’ll show you which tools suit your implant
• keep up your regular cleanings and check-ups so we can check the gums and bone around the implant
• wear a night guard if you grind your teeth, to protect the crown

Cost, coverage and the $1,000 offer

The cost depends on how many implants you need, whether you need grafting first, and what goes on top (a crown, a bridge or a denture). After your consultation we give you a written, itemized estimate, so there are no surprises. Right now you can save $1,000 on dental implant treatment.

• Insurance: some plans cover part of the implant or the crown on top; others cover a bridge or denture instead. We’ll check your plan and send a pre-treatment estimate to your insurer if you’d like.
• Canadian Dental Care Plan: CDCP generally doesn’t cover implants, but it can cover other ways to replace teeth. See CDCP at our office.
• Payment: we can spread the cost across the stages of treatment. See financial arrangements.

Common questions

Does getting an implant hurt?

The area is well frozen, so you feel pressure rather than pain during placement. Afterwards most people describe soreness similar to an extraction, manageable with ordinary pain relief for a few days.

How long does the whole process take?

Usually three to six months from placement to final tooth, because the bone needs time to heal around the implant. If you need a bone graft first, add a few months.

Can I get an implant years after losing a tooth?

Often, yes. Some bone may have been lost over time, so you may need a graft first. We’ll check at your consultation.

Will people be able to tell?

A well-made implant crown is shaped and colour-matched to your other teeth. Most people won’t notice it’s not a natural tooth.

What if I’m nervous about surgery?

Tell us. We can use nitrous oxide or other sedation options, and we’ll walk you through each step before we start.

Book an implant consultation in London

Missing a tooth, or tired of a loose denture? We’re open six days a week, with evening appointments until 9 pm on weekdays and Saturday hours. Book online or call 226-884-2573. See all restorative dentistry options.

Part of our restorative dentistry services in London, Ontario. See all dental services.