FAQ

At CARE Implants we have a number of ways to assist nervous patients feel comfortable during dental procedures.

We provide intravenous sedation (sleep dentistry) to help patients suffering anxiety or who are having potentially uncomfortable procedures.

We also have the Wand Plus, a computer controlled tool which lessens any sense of anxiety by being able to deliver a near painless injection.

We also use laser energy which is an extremely effective and painless way to treat many dental conditions.

We also provide nitrous-oxide which helps reduce anxiety and quickly wears off after a few deep breaths. Penthrox is another inhalation sedation which is used to both relieve anxiety and reduce pain.

Oral medicines such as valium can be prescribed and are taken a one or two hours before an appointment to assist in reliving you of anxiety. The pills need to be taken exactly as directed.

The initial stage begins with our dental implant team led by Dr Christopher Ho preparing a treatment plan for the patient. This begins with a detailed and exact assessment of the patient’s mouth, their gums, teeth and jaw as well as their medical history. Our in house 3D CT technology may be used to evaluate the amount of the patient’s bone that can be utilised for placing the implant and to determine their precise position.

During this initial consultation, we will inform the patient about the pros and cons of the various treatment possibilities. He will also take into account what is achievable and the patient’s overall clinical situation. From this, we will produce a treatment and cost plan for consideration.

Many patients benefit from of our ability to offer implant surgery and fit a crown or full arch bridge within a single day. ‘Teeth or tooth in one day’ may be a suitable option when someone has a missing front tooth that they want replaced. It is also appropriate for people substituting full dentures with implants (i.e. they are already missing all upper or all lower or both) and for people with partial dentures with failed teeth or only one good tooth remaining.

The procedures for these two scenarios are done with the All on 4 dental implant treatment which uses four dental implants to fix a prosthesis. People with a medical condition such as uncontrolled diabetes or who have poor bone density are advised not to have the single day procedure.

There is no upper age limit for patients to undergo implant treatment provided they continue to enjoy reasonable good health. Our oldest patient was 93.

Yes, but the rebate amount will depend on your level of cover. If your insurance covers dental benefits, bring your private health insurance card with you to the centre so we can submit a benefits claim for you.

Periodontal disease is usually a slow disease and most people are not aware that they have it. The most obvious signs of periodontal disease are: bleeding gums, bad breath, bad taste, red or swollen gums, loose teeth and receding gums.

Gum disease presents in many different forms, ranging from very mild (gingivitis) to severe (periodontitis) with varying levels of soft tissue destruction leading to possible tooth loss.

We know that cost is a big question for anyone considering dental work. The truth is, only at the initial consultation we can determine the cost for your specific treatment. It depends on the kind of treatment you need, how long it takes, the number of dental implants to be inserted, the type of restoration chosen and the dental laboratory work that is required to complete the case. Additional costs may arise if the bone also has to be built up to support the implant. The full cost is explained in your first consultation and confirmed with a written treatment plan.

There is no reason why you cannot have implants even after you have had teeth missing for many years. The only real contra-indications to treatment are mainly for medical problems that have a systemic effect on healing.

Implants are generally placed under local anaesthesia. Patients are often surprised at how little discomfort they experience during and after implant treatment. However, if you are anxious about the procedure, you may decide to have sleep dentistry where you can be sedated for the procedure.

During the initial healing period, patients are asked to have a soft food diet to avoid putting too much pressure on the implant. Suggested foods are soups, smoothies, scrambled egg….

Once the treatment is complete, you can use your implants as if they were natural teeth. You can bite into an apple or chew steak, as long as you don’t use your teeth for leverage.

Recent studies show the success rates of implant placement to be approaching 95% to 98%, a very predictable result in any medical procedure.

Your first appointment is an opportunity to gather as much information as possible to assist treatment planning.

• A short interview to listen to your concerns, symptoms, history and reason for referral
• Discuss your medical and dental health, including any medications you may currently be taking
• An examination of your mouth
• Assessment of radiographs

Please remember to bring along any X-rays recommend by your general dentist. (Further radiographs may be taken for additional information)

Our doctors will discuss the findings from this information and outline the nature of your condition. We will explain what dental implications you may have and how that will affect the future of your teeth.

Once placed, implants cannot be felt. Titanium implants are completely biocompatible and tolerated by the body like natural teeth.

Dental Implants look, feel and function like natural teeth. Photos and models of your mouth are used to plan the replacement teeth for aesthetics, function and speech. Implants are carefully shade matched to blend in with your natural teeth.