Patient video
Welcoming and Wonderful Practice
A patient shares the welcoming atmosphere and positive experience they found at our Port Dover office.

Port Dover Family Dentistry
Dental implants replace missing teeth with a root-like post. Learn how suitability, healing and long-term care are assessed for Townsend residents.
Let’s get you smiling
Tell us how we can help. Our team will follow up to confirm a time.
Caring for Townsend patients at our Port Dover office
Every dental service for TownsendReplacing teeth at the root
A dental implant is a small post placed in the jawbone where a tooth is missing. Once it has bonded with the bone, it can support a crown, bridge or denture. Implants avoid reshaping neighbouring teeth and help maintain bone in the area, but they involve surgery, healing time and careful planning.
Anyone in Townsend weighing up implants can start with a consultation at our Port Dover office. The dentist will look at the gap, the bone and gums, your general health and your expectations, then explain whether implants are suitable and how the stages of treatment would likely be arranged for you.

Are implants suitable?
An implant needs enough healthy bone to anchor it and healthy gums around it. X-rays or 3D imaging help the dentist assess the height and width of the bone and locate nearby nerves and sinuses. Some patients need bone grafting before an implant can be placed. Conditions such as poorly controlled diabetes, or certain medications, can affect healing and should be discussed openly.
Smoking significantly raises the risk of implant problems, and heavy grinding can overload an implant and the tooth attached to it. The dentist will ask about these habits and may suggest changes or protection such as a night guard. Being honest about them helps set realistic expectations and lets the plan account for factors that could affect long-term success.
Planning treatment
Implant treatment usually involves an assessment, possible preparatory work such as an extraction or a graft, placement of the implant, a healing period and then attachment of the final tooth. The dentist will explain how long each stage typically takes for someone in your situation, whether a temporary tooth can fill the gap meanwhile and which steps, if any, may involve a specialist.
Bridges and partial dentures are alternatives that may suit some people better, depending on health, timing and personal priorities. Ask how each option affects neighbouring teeth, the bone under the gap and your daily cleaning routine. A thoughtful comparison helps you choose the approach that fits your circumstances rather than defaulting to one treatment because it is the best known.
Placement and healing
Implant placement is usually done under local anaesthetic, sometimes with sedation for comfort. The gum is opened, a precise space is prepared in the bone and the implant is positioned, often followed by a few stitches. Some swelling, bruising and tenderness are expected for several days, and you will receive written aftercare instructions covering eating, cleaning and pain relief.
Over the following months, the bone grows around the implant in a process called osseointegration. During this time you may wear a temporary tooth or simply avoid pressure on the area. Follow-up visits check that healing is on track. Report persistent pain, swelling that returns or a loose feeling around the implant promptly rather than waiting for the next appointment.
Life with implants
Although implants cannot decay, the gums and bone around them can become inflamed and infected, a condition called peri-implantitis. Brush twice daily, clean around the implant with floss, interdental brushes or a water flosser and follow the hygienist’s specific advice for your restoration. Bleeding around an implant is not normal and is worth mentioning at your next visit or sooner.
Regular checkups let the dentist examine the implant, the crown or denture attached to it and the surrounding gums. X-rays may be taken from time to time to compare bone levels. If you grind your teeth, a night guard may protect the implant and restoration from excess force. With good care, many implants serve well for a long time.
Planning your appointment
Call our Port Dover office at 519-583-2929 to book an implant consultation. Mention how many teeth are missing, how long ago they were lost and any health conditions the dentist should know about.
Bring previous X-rays or scans, a complete medication list and any questions about the stages, timing or alternatives you would like to compare.
Before you book
Have a question about your situation? Our team can help you plan a visit.
It varies widely. Healing after placement often takes several months, and extra steps such as an extraction or bone graft add time. The dentist will outline a likely timeline once your bone, gums and overall health have been assessed.
Placement is done with local anaesthetic, so most people feel pressure rather than pain during the procedure. Soreness and swelling afterwards are common and usually manageable. The dentist will explain what to expect and how to stay comfortable at home.
Not everyone is a suitable candidate. Bone quantity, gum health, smoking, certain medical conditions and some medications all matter. The dentist will assess these factors carefully and discuss alternatives such as bridges or dentures if implants are not the best fit.
With good care, implants can last a long time, though the crown or denture attached to them may need replacing eventually. Daily cleaning, regular checkups and protecting the implant from heavy grinding all help it stay healthy over the years.
They need thorough daily cleaning around the gumline, often with floss, interdental brushes or a water flosser. The hygienist can show you techniques and recommend tools suited to your particular implant restoration, whether it is a single crown or a denture.
An implant crown is the visible tooth fixed to a dental implant. Townsend patients can learn how it is designed, attached and cared for over the years.
Implant-supported dentures attach to implants for added stability. Townsend residents can learn who may suit them, how treatment is staged and how care differs.
Recognized year after year
Best Dentists in Norfolk
Proudly recognized among Norfolk’s top-rated dental practices for six consecutive years.

2021 Winner

2022 Winner

2023 Winner

2024 Winner

2025 Winner

2026 Winner
Stories from our patients
Watch a patient’s experience and browse more five-star reviews from people who have visited our Port Dover dental clinic.
Patient video
A patient shares the welcoming atmosphere and positive experience they found at our Port Dover office.
Google reviews
Swipe or use the arrows
Read all reviewsYour next visit can start today
New patients and CDCP patients are welcome. Tell us how we can help and our Port Dover dental team will follow up with you.
Evening appointments Monday and Tuesday