Full Mouth Dental Implants: FAQ

Full mouth dental implants typically cost $20,000-$65,000 per arch in Canada, depending on the treatment type:

• All-on-4: $20,000-$30,000 per arch
• All-on-6: $25,000-$35,000 per arch
• Snap-on dentures: $15,000-$25,000 per arch
• Individual implants: $40,000-$65,000 per arch (8+ implants)

Costs vary by city, surgeon experience, and materials used.

Provincial health plans (OHIP, MSP, etc.) generally do not cover dental implants as they're considered elective. Exceptions may include:

• Implants needed after cancer treatment
• Congenital conditions (born without teeth)
• Severe trauma cases

Private dental insurance may cover a portion—typically 50% of the implant component up to annual maximums ($1,500-$3,000).

Most clinics offer flexible payment options:

• In-house financing: 12-60 month payment plans, often 0% interest for qualified patients
• Medical credit: Medicard, Dentalcard, CareCredit
• Bank loans: Personal lines of credit at prime rates
• RRSP withdrawal: Tax-free for medical expenses under certain conditions

Monthly payments typically range from $350-$700 depending on treatment cost and term length.

Yes. Dental implants qualify as a medical expense tax credit. You can claim expenses exceeding 3% of your net income (or $2,635, whichever is lower). For a $40,000 treatment, this could mean $4,000-$6,000+ in tax savings depending on your income and province.

The surgery itself takes 2-4 hours per arch. However, the complete treatment timeline is:

• Same-day teeth (All-on-4/6): Temporary teeth same day; final teeth in 3-6 months
• Traditional approach: 6-12 months total with healing periods
• With bone grafting: Add 3-6 months for graft healing before implants

The procedure itself is not painful—you'll receive local anesthesia, IV sedation, or general anesthesia. Most patients report less discomfort than expected.

Post-operative discomfort is typically:

• Days 1-3: Moderate discomfort, managed with prescribed medication
• Days 4-7: Decreasing discomfort, over-the-counter pain relief usually sufficient
• Week 2+: Most patients report minimal to no pain

Key differences:

• All-on-4: 4 implants support a full arch; uses angled rear implants to avoid bone grafting; most cost-effective fixed option
• All-on-6: 6 implants for extra support; ideal for patients with good bone density; slightly higher cost
• Traditional: 6-8+ implants with individual crowns or bridge sections; highest cost but maximum durability; requires sufficient bone throughout

It depends on your bone density and the treatment chosen:

• All-on-4: Usually no grafting needed—angled implants use existing bone
• All-on-6: Sometimes needed in areas with bone loss
• Traditional: More likely to require grafting in multiple sites
• Snap-on: Rarely needed due to fewer, straighter implants

A CT scan during your consultation will determine your bone situation.

Diet progression typically follows this timeline:

• Week 1: Liquids and very soft foods only
• Weeks 2-4: Soft foods (pasta, eggs, fish)
• Weeks 4-8: Gradually introduce firmer foods
• After final teeth (3-6 months): Eat anything—steak, apples, corn on the cob

Most patients return to work within:

• Desk jobs: 2-4 days
• Light physical work: 5-7 days
• Heavy physical labor: 1-2 weeks

Plan for more time if you have extensive treatment or bone grafting.

While dental implants have a 95-98% success rate, potential complications include:

• Implant failure: 2-5% of implants don't integrate properly
• Infection: Treatable with antibiotics if caught early
• Nerve damage: Rare (<2%), usually temporary
• Sinus issues: Possible with upper jaw implants

See our detailed complications guide for more information.

There's no upper age limit for dental implants. Patients in their 70s, 80s, and even 90s regularly receive successful implant treatment. What matters is:

• Overall health status
• Bone density (can often be addressed)
• Ability to heal properly
• Absence of uncontrolled medical conditions

Yes, in most cases. Well-controlled diabetes (HbA1c under 7-8%) doesn't significantly increase implant failure risk. Your dentist may recommend:

• Optimizing blood sugar before surgery
• Antibiotics as a precaution
• More frequent follow-up appointments

Uncontrolled diabetes does increase risks and should be addressed first.

Smokers can receive implants but face 2-3x higher failure rates. Recommendations:

• Ideally: Quit completely—implants can be the motivation you need
• Minimum: Stop smoking 2-4 weeks before and 8 weeks after surgery
• Long-term: Smoking increases risk of peri-implantitis (implant gum disease)

Low bone density doesn't automatically disqualify you. Options include:

• All-on-4: Angled implants use existing bone without grafting
• Zygomatic implants: Anchor in cheekbone for severe upper jaw bone loss
• Bone grafting: Build up bone before implant placement
• Snap-on dentures: Require less bone than fixed options

With proper care:

• Implants (titanium posts): 25+ years, often a lifetime
• Prosthetic teeth: 10-15 years before needing replacement/refurbishment
• Abutments: Usually last as long as the implants

Regular maintenance and good oral hygiene are key to longevity.

Daily care is similar to natural teeth:

• Brush twice daily with soft-bristle brush
• Use interdental brushes or water flosser around implants
• Consider an electric toothbrush
• Avoid abrasive toothpastes

Professional care:

• Cleanings every 3-6 months
• Annual X-rays to monitor bone levels
• Check abutment screws annually

Late failure is possible but uncommon (about 5% over 10 years). Main causes:

• Peri-implantitis: Infection/inflammation around implant (most common)
• Excessive forces: Grinding, clenching without night guard
• Poor hygiene: Leads to bone loss around implants
• Medical changes: New conditions affecting healing

Regular check-ups catch problems early when they're most treatable.

Yes. Modern implant prosthetics are designed to look completely natural:

• Custom shade matching to complement your skin tone
• Natural tooth shapes and spacing
• Gum-colored base for realistic appearance
• High-quality materials (zirconia, porcelain) mimic real enamel

Most people can't tell the difference between implants and natural teeth.