Dental implants in Ashburton

When an implant makes sense

• You have lost a single tooth and want a fixed replacement.
• You are missing several teeth and want implants to hold a bridge.
• Your lower denture is loose and you want it held firmly.
• Most or all teeth in one jaw are gone or cannot be saved (All-on-4).

What happens

1. Assessment. We examine the site and take a 3D scan to measure bone and locate nerves. Implants need healthy gums and enough bone. We check both first.
2. Placement. Dr Mariana Habil and Dr Mee Kim place implants here. The implant goes into the jawbone under local anaesthetic. Sedation is available on request.
3. Healing. The bone fuses to the implant over three to six months. You usually wear a temporary tooth.
4. Crown. We fit a custom crown matched to your teeth in shade and shape.
5. Upkeep. Brush, clean between teeth and keep regular check-ups. Gum inflammation around the implant is the main long-term threat.

What to consider

Cost

You get a full written quote before anything begins, with payment staged across treatment. Many extras policies contribute under major dental. Bring your health fund card.

What drives the cost of an implant

No two implant cases cost the same. The quote reflects the work your mouth needs, not a set package.

• How many teeth you are replacing, and whether each gets its own implant or implants hold a bridge.
• Whether the tooth needs removing first, and whether the site needs time to heal.
• Bone grafting or a sinus lift where bone is short.
• The 3D scan and planning before surgery.
• The final crown, bridge or denture that sits on the implants.
• Sedation, if you ask for it.

You get a written quote with item numbers before anything starts. Give those numbers to your health fund to check your rebate. Implants fall under major dental. Annual limits and waiting periods apply.

A single implant is the simplest case. Full-arch work such as All-on-4 involves more implants, longer surgery and a larger bridge, so it sits in a different bracket. Payment is staged: part at placement, the rest when the crown is fitted. No stage starts until you have agreed to it in writing.

Recovery after placement

Most people return to work the next day. Swelling and tenderness peak on day two or three, then settle.

• First 24 hours: bite on gauze if it oozes, rest, and keep your head raised. No rinsing, hot drinks or exercise.
• Days two to three: swelling peaks. A cold pack on the cheek, 20 minutes on and 20 off, helps.
• From the next day: rinse gently with warm salt water after meals.
• First week: soft food, chewed on the other side. No smoking. It slows healing and raises the risk of failure.
• Seven to ten days: a review to check healing and remove stitches if needed.

Known risks include infection, the implant not fusing with bone, nerve irritation in the lower jaw and sinus involvement in the upper jaw. The 3D scan is how we plan around nerves and sinuses. Call us if pain or swelling gets worse after day three.

Long term, treat the implant like a natural tooth. Plaque around an implant causes peri-implantitis, a gum infection that destroys the supporting bone. It is treatable when caught early. That is why we check implants at every visit and take X-rays periodically.

Implant, bridge or denture

All three replace a missing tooth. They differ in surgery, time, upkeep and lifespan. At your consultation we set them side by side, with a quote for each, so you compare like with like.

Not ready to decide? A temporary denture fills the gap while you think it over.

Questions

How long does the whole process take?

Usually three to six months from placement to final crown. Grafting adds a few months.

Does implant surgery hurt?

It is done under local anaesthetic. Most patients find it easier than an extraction. Sedation is available on request.

What is All-on-4?

A full arch of fixed teeth on four to six implants instead of a removable denture. We assess bone, health and smoking first. It does not suit everyone.

How long do implants last?

With good home care and regular check-ups, implants commonly last many years. The crown on top wears and is sometimes replaced. Gum health around the implant decides most outcomes.

Can the implant go in straight after an extraction?

Sometimes, if the bone and gum are healthy and there is no active infection. Otherwise the site heals for a few months first. We tell you which applies at the assessment.