General Dentistry in Thunder Bay, ON

Dental Implants in Thunder Bay, ON

Missing a tooth? A dental implant replaces both the root and the crown, giving you something solid to bite and chew with. Redwood Dental Centre walks you through every step, from the first exam to the final crown.

What Is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant replaces a missing tooth from the root up. A small titanium post goes into the jawbone where the tooth used to be. Once it has settled in, we attach a custom crown on top that matches your other teeth. Unlike a bridge, an implant does not rely on the teeth next to the gap for support. It stands on its own, which means we do not need to prepare or cap any neighboring healthy teeth.

Why Dental Implants Matter

Replacing a missing tooth does more than fill a gap. Here’s what an implant is designed to do.

Standing on Its Own

An implant does not need support from neighboring teeth, so healthy teeth next to the gap stay untouched.

Keeping the Jawbone Active

The implant post sits in the jawbone in the same spot as the tooth root it replaces, giving that area of bone something to hold onto.

Chewing and Speaking With Ease

A finished implant is built to work like the rest of your teeth, so eating and speaking feel more comfortable.

What Happens During Treatment

Dental implant treatment happens in stages, with time built in for healing between visits.

Exam and Imaging

Dr. Ameen examines the gap, checks your jawbone and gum health, and takes X-rays or a scan to plan exactly where the implant will go.

Placing the Implant Post

The titanium post is placed into the jawbone in a short procedure. The area is numbed first, so you shouldn’t feel pain during placement.

Healing Time

The jawbone needs time to bond with the post before it can support a crown. This healing period can take a few months, and Dr. Ameen checks on your progress along the way.

Attaching the Crown

Once the post has bonded with the bone, we attach a connector piece and a custom crown on top, matched to your other teeth.

Caring for Your Implant

Brush and floss around the implant just like your other teeth
Avoid chewing hard foods like ice on the implant site while it's healing
Keep up with regular checkups so Dr. Ameen can check the implant and surrounding gum
Tell us if you notice swelling, looseness, or discomfort at any point

Is a Dental Implant Right for You?

Implants work well for many patients, but a few factors help Dr. Ameen decide if one is right for you.

Enough Jawbone to Support It

An implant needs a certain amount of healthy jawbone to anchor into. Dr. Ameen checks this with an exam and imaging before recommending treatment.

Healthy Gums Help

Gums that are in good condition give an implant a better base to heal around. We’ll check your gum health as part of your exam.

General Dentist Providing Care

All care is provided by Dr. Ahmed Ameen Al-Obaidi (Dr. Ameen), a General Dentist, with over 20 years of experience in general dentistry.

Understanding Cost and Insurance

Billing for a dental implant depends on the number of implants, the type of crown, and any preparation work your jawbone needs, so Dr. Ameen will give you an exact quote after your exam. Whatever fee is quoted covers the full treatment, including lab costs for building your custom crown, and it applies the same way to every patient regardless of insurance coverage. Our front desk reviews your specific insurance benefits before treatment starts so you know what to expect.

A Quote Before You Start

You’ll receive the exact cost of your implant treatment before any work begins, with no fees added later.

Insurance Coordination

Implant coverage varies by plan. We check your specific benefits ahead of time so you know what’s covered and what isn’t.

Paying Out of Pocket

If you do not have insurance, our front desk can walk you through the cost of treatment before you commit.

Dental Implant FAQs

A titanium post that goes into the jawbone, topped with a custom crown. Titanium is used because it bonds well with bone over time. The crown on top is made to match the size, shape, and color of your other teeth.

What is a dental implant made of?

Does getting an implant hurt?

The area is numbed before placement, so you should not feel pain during the procedure. Some soreness or swelling in the days after is common, similar to what you’d expect after a tooth extraction. Dr. Ameen will go over what to expect and how to manage any discomfort.

How long does the whole process take?

Several months from start to finish, mainly because of healing time. Placing the post itself is a single appointment, but the jawbone needs time to bond with it before we attach a crown. Dr. Ameen will give you a timeline specific to your case at your exam.

Am I too old, or too young, for an implant?

Age on its own does not rule out an implant. What matters more is whether your jawbone has finished growing and whether it’s healthy enough to support the post. Dr. Ameen checks this with an exam and imaging, not a birthday.

Does insurance cover dental implants?

Coverage varies quite a bit from plan to plan. Some plans cover part of the cost, others don’t cover implants at all. Our front desk checks your specific benefits before treatment starts so you know what to expect.

Ready for a healthier smile?

New patients welcome. Direct billing to most insurance plans.

Redwood Dental has been serving families across Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario for over two decades.