Updated July 17, 2025
Choosing to restore a lost tooth with a dental implant can be a wise long-term investment in your smile. After all, this is the only restoration that closely mimics a natural tooth and also has the potential to last a lifetime with excellent home care and regular checkups.
If you're considering this life-changing procedure, understanding the journey is key. That's why we've created Dental Implants 101, to help you feel confident and informed every step of the way, from your initial consultation right through to enjoying your new, natural-looking smile.
Here's how the implant process works in our Barrie dental office.
Dental Implant Components
Step #1: The Initial Implant Consultation
When deciding how to restore your smile, it's important to discuss your options with your implant dentist in Barrie. At Park Place Dental, Dr. Joo has extensive training in implant dentistry, and he can guide you through the process from start to finish at our Barrie dental office.
Concerned about bone loss? If you've been told that you're not a candidate for dental implants due to bone loss, Dr. Joo can discuss bone grafting surgery with you that will help rebuild your jawbone so it can successfully support a dental implant. Bone grafting is another procedure Dr. Joo can perform at Park Place Dental.
At this initial visit, you'll learn:
- What to expect
- Whether you're a candidate for implant surgery, and
- How much treatment will cost.
We also set aside time to answer your questions.
Step #2: Implant Placement Surgery
Depending on your specific needs, if you need a tooth extracted, this might be completed first or just before your implant placement surgery. During your surgery, Dr. Joo places your implant gently into your jawbone, giving it time to heal, which could take three to six months.
If you need bone grafting to help support your tooth implant, this may occur a few months before implant placement surgery.
Your consultation provides a more detailed timeline because after we gather more information about your smile, we'll know what is needed to make implants a reality for you.
Step 3: Healing and Recovery
Healing from implant surgery is straightforward and typically prompt. You may notice a few days of swelling or mild discomfort, but not enough to impact your daily life. You can take an over-the-counter pain reliever if needed.
For optimal healing, we highly recommend not smoking because it slows down the recovery process.
Additionally, healing is also about osseointegration. Your implants integrate into the jawbone over the next three to six months, which creates an excellent foundation for your restoration.
Step #4: Tooth Restoration
After the appropriate healing time, you'll return to Park Place Dental to receive your implant restoration.
- For a single-tooth implant: We secure an abutment into your implant to attach to your porcelain crown for a single-tooth implant. Our dentists design your crown to replace your natural tooth and complement your smile aesthetically.
- For multiple missing teeth: Dental implants in Barrie, ON, can also support dental prosthetics, like a bridge or denture, to replace multiple missing teeth. It typically takes up to six implants to fix a denture to the jaw.
Who Can Get Dental Implants?
It's up to your dentist to determine candidacy or whether you'll need pretreatments to come into candidacy.
However, most patients with reasonably healthy smiles are good candidates for dental implants. While some health issues, lifestyle choices, or medications may mean dental implants are not an option, it's always best to consult with your Barrie dentist to be sure.
Dental Implant Costs and Upkeep
Dental implant costs vary based on several factors:
- Number of implants
- Single compared with prosthetic
- Necessary pretreatments
However, we do work with third-party financing through the Affirm Payment Program. A team member can show you how to apply.
As far as upkeep, you'll find it simple! You brush and floss as usual and continue seeing the dentist for checkups and teeth cleanings. With implants, there is no special maintenance or steps to keep them in top shape.
Contact Our Dentist Near Innisfil for Tooth Replacement
Ready to take the next step in your dental implant journey? Contact Park Place Dental at (705) 728-9922 if you want to learn more about dental implants in Barrie or to schedule a consultation.
