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All health funds accepted · Payment plans available, humm from $0 deposit · CDBS bulk billing

All health funds accepted · Payment plans available, humm from $0 deposit · CDBS bulk billing

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Dentist showing a patient a 3D scan of her teeth on a laptop

IMPLANTS · STEP 3 OF 4

Your questions

answered plainly.

These are the questions we hear most at implant consults. If yours is not here, ask us at your free consult.

Free

implant consult

Comfort

Does getting an implant hurt?

The area is numbed with local anaesthetic, so you usually feel pressure rather than pain. Many people find it easier than having a tooth taken out.

What if I am very nervous?

Tell us when you book. IV sedation is available, and it is $900 for the first hour. You would need someone to take you home afterwards. You can read more on our IV sedation page.

How sore will I be afterwards?

Most people have some swelling and tenderness for a few days. Pain relief usually manages it. We give you written aftercare and check in with you after the surgery.

Time

How long does the whole process take?

Usually three to six months from placement to the final crown. It can be longer if a tooth needs to come out first or you need a bone graft.

How much time off work do I need?

Many people go back to work the next day. If you have sedation, plan to take the rest of that day off.

Will I have a gap while it heals?

For a front tooth we plan a temporary option with you so you are not left with a gap. For back teeth, some people choose to go without one while the implant heals.

Is it right for me?

Am I too old for an implant?

Age on its own is rarely the issue. Your general health, your gums and the bone you have matter more, and the 3D scan at your consult shows us the bone.

I smoke. Can I still have one?

Often, yes, but smoking slows healing and raises the risk of problems around the implant. Stopping before and after treatment helps. We talk this through honestly at the consult.

I have diabetes, or I take medicine for my bones.

Neither automatically rules an implant out. Diabetes that is well controlled usually heals well. Some bone medicines need a closer look first, so bring a list of what you take.

I was told I do not have enough bone.

That is common after a tooth has been missing for a while. A bone graft may help, or a different option may suit you better. We show you on your scan and explain the choices.

Results and risks

How long do implants last?

Many implants last 15 years or more. How long yours lasts depends on your gum health, cleaning at home and keeping up regular check-ups.

Can an implant fail?

Most implants heal well, but some do not join to the bone. The risk is higher with smoking, diabetes that is not well controlled and gum disease. If an implant does not take, it can usually be removed and the site assessed for another one later.

What are the risks of the surgery?

Like any surgery, there is a small risk of infection, bleeding or nerve irritation, and in the upper jaw a risk to the sinus. Planning on a 3D scan and placing the implant with a guide helps reduce these risks. We go through them with you before you decide.

Cost

What does an implant cost all up?

$3,950 each when three or more are placed together, and $4,950 each for one or two. That includes the implant, the part that joins it to the crown, and the crown. Extractions, bone grafting and sedation are extra only if you need them, and your written quote lists everything.

Does my health fund cover implants?

Some extras policies with major dental cover pay a rebate towards implant treatment. It depends on your fund, your level of cover and waiting periods. Ask your fund what they pay, and we can give you the details they need from your quote.

Can I pay it off over time?

Yes. You can read about humm, Zip, Afterpay, Access My Super and our own payment plans on the next page.

Other options

Should I get an implant, a bridge or a denture?

An implant replaces the tooth without touching the teeth either side. A bridge is fixed but needs the neighbouring teeth to be shaped for crowns. A denture is the simplest and lowest cost, but it comes out and may move when you eat. We go through what each would involve for you at the consult.

Next: step 4 of 4

Paying for your implant

Health fund rebates, payment plans and how deposits work.

Dental implants

Book a free implant consult

We take a 3D scan, talk through your options and give you a written quote to take home. There is no obligation to go ahead.

Open Monday to Saturday, and until 9pm on Thursdays. Free undercover parking at Melrose Central.

Lumi Dental dentists and oral health therapists at reception
Sabrina Tran, oral health therapistDr James TranDr Audrey YeeDr Minh Thu Cao XuanDr Anita To

Dentists and oral health therapists

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