Dental Implant Patient Guide
Understand candidacy, treatment stages, recovery, risks and long-term care before deciding whether implants may be right for you.
Dental implant care in Vancouver & Kitsilano
Dental Implants in Vancouver & Kitsilano
Considering dental implants for one missing tooth, several teeth or a full arch? At our Kitsilano clinic in Vancouver, Dr. David Cheng and Dr. Jeffrey Norden assess your options and provide implant placement, restoration and follow-up through one coordinated plan.
Dental implant care for Vancouver and Kitsilano
Dental implants replace missing teeth by supporting a crown, bridge or other restoration from an implant placed in the jaw. For many patients, this creates a stable option that feels more like a natural tooth than a removable replacement. At Westcoast Smile Dental, implant treatment is planned at our Kitsilano clinic for patients from the neighbourhood and across Vancouver.
The right plan depends on more than the space left by a missing tooth. We assess the health of the gums, available bone, the bite, the position of nearby teeth and the final appearance you want to achieve. That lets us plan the implant and restoration as one treatment rather than treating them as separate steps.
If you are still researching the procedure, our dental implant patient guide explains candidacy, recovery and aftercare in more detail.
Implant options, materials and digital planning
Whether you need to replace one tooth, several teeth or a full arch, we assess the options with you before recommending treatment.
For a fuller comparison of fixed bridges, implant-supported dentures and materials, see our guide to the different types of dental implants.
Titanium is widely used for implant fixtures. Zirconia may also be considered in selected situations. The appropriate material and restoration depend on the clinical situation, tissue position and treatment goals.
Planning may include 3D imaging, digital records and guided workflows where they add useful information. These tools help the clinical team evaluate bone, neighbouring anatomy and restorative space before treatment begins. Learn more about advances in dental implant technology.
Why patients choose Westcoast Smile for dental implants
Implant care is both surgical and restorative. The position of the implant affects how the final tooth functions, how the gums are supported and how natural the restoration can look. Our approach brings diagnosis, treatment planning, placement, restoration and follow-up into one coordinated plan.
- Your treating dentists: Dr. David Cheng and Dr. Jeffrey Norden both provide implant placement and restoration at Westcoast Smile. Your consultation establishes the treatment plan and the dentist providing your care.
- Personalized treatment: recommendations are based on your oral health, available bone, bite and restorative goals.
- Digital assessment: imaging and digital planning tools are used where appropriate to understand anatomy and plan treatment.
- Restorative focus: the final crown or restoration is planned for fit, function and appearance—not simply to fill a space.
- Local follow-up: consultations, treatment reviews and ongoing hygiene care are available at the same Kitsilano clinic.
For patients who want to review Dr. Cheng’s published case material, see the clinic’s Clinical OD case publication.
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a small implant fixture placed in the jaw to act as a foundation for a replacement tooth. After the implant becomes stable in the bone, an abutment and custom restoration are connected to it. Depending on the situation, implants can support a single crown, a bridge or a larger tooth-replacement solution.
Potential benefits
- Fixed support that does not need to be removed at night.
- Restoration of chewing function where a tooth is missing.
- No need to prepare neighbouring teeth solely to support a conventional bridge.
- Support for the bone and tissues in the area of the missing tooth.
- A restoration designed to fit the shape, shade and bite of your smile.
Who may be a candidate for dental implants?
Many adults with one or more missing teeth can be considered for implants, but candidacy is individual. Healthy gums, adequate bone and medical factors that support normal healing are important. Smoking, active gum disease, uncontrolled medical conditions or significant bone loss may change the timing or the type of treatment recommended.
If the available bone is limited, additional procedures such as bone grafting may sometimes be discussed. A consultation and appropriate imaging are used to determine what is realistic for your mouth rather than assuming every missing tooth should receive the same solution.
What happens at an implant consultation?
At your implant consultation, we assess the missing-tooth area, gums, bite and available records, and discuss any imaging needed. Bring previous treatment plans or imaging if you are seeking a second opinion. We explain reasonable alternatives, temporary teeth, treatment timing, maintenance and expected fees. If implants are appropriate, you receive a written plan before deciding how to proceed.
Dental implants compared with bridges and dentures
An implant is one way to replace a missing tooth, but it is not the only option. The appropriate choice depends on the number of missing teeth, the condition of the neighbouring teeth, the available bone, your bite, treatment time and your priorities for a fixed or removable restoration.
- Dental implant: replaces the missing-tooth foundation without relying on the neighbouring teeth for support. It requires a surgical stage and healing before the final restoration in many cases.
- Fixed bridge: can replace a tooth without placing an implant, but the teeth beside the space normally become part of the restoration. A bridge may be appropriate when those teeth already need significant restorative treatment.
- Partial or full denture: is removable and can replace several teeth without implant surgery. Some patients prefer this approach, while others want the additional stability that implants can sometimes provide.
We discuss reasonable alternatives during the consultation so the decision is based on your clinical situation rather than assuming implants are automatically the right answer.
The dental implant treatment process
1. Consultation and planning
We review your goals, dental and medical history, gums, bite and the area where the tooth is missing. Imaging helps us evaluate the available bone and important nearby anatomy. You receive an explanation of the treatment stages and any alternatives that should be considered.
2. Site preparation when needed
Some implant sites are ready for placement without additional treatment. Others may require extraction-site management or bone and soft-tissue procedures to create a healthier foundation. The sequence depends on the condition of the site.
3. Implant placement
The implant is positioned according to the surgical and restorative plan. Local anaesthetic is used for the procedure, and post-treatment instructions are provided for the early healing period.
4. Healing and integration
During healing, the bone forms a stable connection with the implant surface. Timing varies according to the implant site, bone condition and individual healing. A temporary replacement may be considered when appropriate.
5. Final restoration and maintenance
Once the implant is ready to restore, the final crown, bridge or other restoration is designed to fit the bite and surrounding teeth. Ongoing professional reviews and home care help maintain the gums and tissues around the implant.
Clinical case experience in the esthetic zone
Replacing a front tooth requires careful attention to both the implant and the surrounding gum contours. Dr. Cheng’s published Clinical OD case material documents an esthetic-zone treatment approach involving tissue preservation and restorative planning. This published case illustrates the detailed planning that can matter when an implant is visible in the smile.
View the Clinical OD case publication.
An implant crown case from our smile gallery
These photographs are from our esthetic implant crown gallery, shown separately from the published case above. Explore our implant-and-bridge gallery for other restorative examples. Individual results vary; your options and expected outcome require a personal assessment.
Recovery, risks and long-term care
Soreness and swelling can occur after implant placement, and the early diet and cleaning routine may need to be adjusted while the area heals. The length of the full treatment process depends on the implant site and whether additional tissue or bone procedures are needed.
As with any surgical treatment, implants have potential risks. These can include infection, delayed healing, failure of the implant to integrate, or concerns involving nearby nerves or sinus anatomy depending on the location. Careful diagnosis and planning are used to reduce avoidable risk, but no treatment can be guaranteed.
Tell us if you grind or clench your teeth so your dentist can consider forces on the restoration. Long-term maintenance includes effective brushing and interdental cleaning, professional hygiene visits and review of the bite. Our dental implant patient guide covers recovery and everyday care in more depth, and our article on preventing dental implant complications explains maintenance considerations.
What affects dental implant cost?
The cost of implant treatment depends on the number of teeth being replaced, the condition of the site, whether grafting or other preparation is needed, and the type of final restoration. Because those factors vary, a consultation is needed before an accurate treatment estimate can be prepared.
For a dedicated explanation of pricing factors and financing considerations, see our Dental Implants Cost guide.
Why local continuity of care matters
Westcoast Smile has long served patients in Kitsilano while treating people from across Vancouver. Implant care can involve several visits—from diagnosis and placement to restorative appointments and maintenance—so having the same clinic available for follow-up can make the treatment pathway easier to manage.
- Consultation, treatment reviews and restorative care at the Kitsilano clinic.
- Ongoing hygiene and implant maintenance with a team familiar with your treatment history.
- Convenient access from Kitsilano and other Vancouver neighbourhoods by transit or local roads.
- A direct clinic contact if questions arise during healing.
Dental Implant FAQs
Can I have same-day dental implants?
Immediate implant placement means placing an implant when a tooth is removed. Attaching a temporary tooth or bridge at that visit is a separate decision. Neither means that bone healing is complete. Your dentist will explain whether an immediate approach or a staged plan is appropriate. Our implant technology guide explains the differences.
Can I complete the entire treatment in Kitsilano?
Implant assessment, placement, restoration and follow-up are provided through our Kitsilano clinic by Dr. David Cheng and Dr. Jeffrey Norden. Your individual treatment plan identifies the appointments needed. Laboratory work may be completed by an external dental laboratory.
What if I’ve been told implants aren’t possible?
A previous opinion does not necessarily determine whether implant treatment is possible. We can reassess bone volume, gum health, your bite, medical factors and the missing-tooth area. In some cases preparatory treatment such as grafting may be considered; in others, a different tooth-replacement option may be safer or more appropriate.
How soon can I eat normally?
Eating recommendations depend on the procedure and treatment stage. Patients are usually advised to choose softer foods initially and avoid chewing directly on the surgical site. Your dentist will tell you when it is appropriate to resume firmer foods and normal chewing.
Do you offer evening or weekend appointments?
Appointment availability can change. Contact our team for current appointment times and we will help find an option that works with your schedule.
Is parking or transit convenient?
Our Kitsilano clinic is accessible by local transit, and street-parking options are available nearby. Parking availability can vary by time of day, so allow extra time before your appointment.
Ready to discuss dental implants?
Request an appointment with Westcoast Smile Dental in Kitsilano, Vancouver, to discuss your treatment options.