Dental implants in Box Hill North
An implant replaces the root of a missing tooth with a titanium post, which then supports a crown, a bridge or a denture. It is a months-long process, not a single appointment.
How the treatment actually works
A dental implant is a small titanium screw placed into the jawbone where a tooth root used to be. Over the following months the bone grows around and bonds to it. Once that has happened, an abutment is fitted and a custom crown is made to sit on top. From start to finish, most cases take somewhere between three and six months, and longer if bone grafting is needed first.
Because the implant stands on its own, the teeth either side are left untouched — which is the main advantage over a bridge, where those neighbouring teeth have to be cut down. It also transmits load into the bone, which helps limit the bone shrinkage that follows tooth loss.
Not everyone is a candidate. Adequate bone volume and healthy gums are prerequisites. Smoking, uncontrolled diabetes and untreated gum disease all measurably raise the risk of the implant failing, and we will discuss these openly rather than after the event.
01
Assessment and planning
Examination, X-rays and, where needed, a three-dimensional scan to measure bone volume and locate nerves and sinuses. We assess your general health and medications, because both affect healing.
02
Placement
The implant is placed under local anaesthetic. Most people describe the recovery as more manageable than an extraction. Some swelling and discomfort for a few days is normal.
03
Healing and integration
The bone bonds to the implant over roughly three to six months. A temporary tooth can often be worn during this period so you are not left with a visible gap.
04
The final tooth
Once integration is confirmed, impressions or a digital scan are taken and a custom crown is made and fitted. We check the bite and the fit before finalising.
What implants can replace
From one tooth to a full arch, the principle is the same.
A single tooth
One implant and one crown, without involving the teeth on either side.
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Several teeth
Two or more implants supporting a fixed bridge, avoiding a removable partial denture.
Denture stabilisation
Implants used as anchors so that a lower denture clips in place instead of moving while you eat and speak.
Bone grafting
Where bone has been lost, grafting can build enough volume to make an implant possible. It adds time and cost to the overall plan.
Maintenance and review
Implants need cleaning and regular professional review, the same as natural teeth. The gum around an implant can become inflamed and bone can be lost if it is neglected.
Second opinions
If you have been quoted for implant treatment elsewhere and want another view on whether it is the right option, we are happy to assess and explain the alternatives.
Risks, alternatives and what it costs
Implants have a well-documented long-term record in suitable patients, but they can and do fail. The implant may not bond to the bone. Infection can develop around it. Bone can be lost over time, particularly where cleaning is poor or gum disease is active. There is a small risk of injury to nearby nerves or the sinus, which is why the planning scan matters. Smokers and people with poorly controlled diabetes have a higher failure rate. Outcomes vary between individuals, and no dentist can guarantee an implant will last a given number of years.
The alternatives are a conventional bridge, a removable partial denture, or leaving the gap. Each has genuine advantages. A bridge is faster and needs no surgery, at the cost of preparing the adjacent teeth. A denture is the least invasive and least expensive but is removable. Leaving a gap is reasonable in some positions and not in others, because teeth can drift and the opposing tooth can over-erupt.
Cost depends on the number of implants, whether grafting is needed, and the type of restoration. We provide a written itemised quote with item numbers after the assessment, not before — quoting implant treatment over the phone without seeing the bone would be guesswork. HICAPS is on site for immediate health fund claiming; implant cover varies considerably between funds and often has annual limits.
Common questions
How long does the whole process take?
Commonly three to six months from placement to the final crown, and longer where bone grafting is required. There is a healing period built in that cannot be rushed.
Will I be left without a tooth while it heals?
In most cases a temporary tooth can be worn during the healing period, particularly at the front of the mouth.
Is it painful?
Placement is done under local anaesthetic. Discomfort and swelling for a few days afterwards is normal and is usually managed with ordinary pain relief. Pain thresholds vary between people.
How long do implants last?
Many function well for a long time with good hygiene and regular review, but they can fail, and the crown on top will need replacing at some point. We cannot promise a lifespan.
Am I too old for an implant?
Age itself is rarely the deciding factor. Bone volume, gum health, general health and medications matter far more, and that is what the assessment looks at.
Do you offer a payment plan?
Ring the practice to discuss payment arrangements. We will always give you the full cost in writing first, not an instalment figure on its own.
Related pages
Other parts of the site people usually read alongside this one.
Rebuilding a damaged tooth, and how we choose between a filling and a crown.
Not every wisdom tooth needs removing. Assessment first, with imaging.
Written itemised quotes with ADA item numbers, so you can check your rebate first.
Book an implant assessment
579 Middleborough Rd, Box Hill North VIC 3129. Off-street parking at the door.
Dental implant treatment is a surgical procedure and carries risk. Suitability depends on an examination and imaging. This page is general information, not a recommendation for your circumstances.