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FAQs
Treatment Related FAQs
A prosthodontist is a Dental Board-registered specialist who has completed an additional three years of full-time university training specifically focused on resolving complex dental issues involving restoring and replacing teeth.
If you have a missing tooth, worn teeth, a failing restoration, or a complex dental problem that your regular dentist hasn't been able to resolve, a prosthodontist is the right next step.
Think of it this way: for a complex joint problem, your GP would refer you to an orthopaedic surgeon. For a complex dental problem, your dentist should refer you to a prosthodontist.
No – you're welcome to book directly. If your dentist has referred you, a referral letter helps us understand your situation, but it isn't required.
Our patients are often pleasantly surprised by how comfortable they feel during treatment and how little discomfort they experience afterwards.
Implant surgery is performed under local anaesthetic — you should feel no pain during the procedure, only mild pressure and vibration. After routine surgery, expect mild soreness for 1-2 days, easily managed with standard pain relief. After more complex procedures involving bone grafting or sinus lift, some soreness and swelling may persist for up to 1 week, managed with stronger pain relief and anti-inflammatory medication. We tailor your post-operative care to your specific clinical needs.
Our clinicians apply numbing cream before any injection and work with a consistently gentle technique. Oral or intravenous sedation is also available if needed.
We understand that dental visits can be anxiety-inducing, particularly when complex treatment or surgery is involved. The trust our patients place in us is both a responsibility and a privilege we take seriously.
For all procedures under local anaesthetic, our clinicians apply topical numbing cream before any injection and work with a consistently gentle technique. You should not feel pain during treatment.
For patients who need additional support, we offer three levels of sedation:
- Oral sedation: A Temazepam tablet taken approximately one hour before your appointment provides a mild level of sedation. You remain fully awake and will recall the procedure. This option suits patients with mild to moderate anxiety.
- Intravenous (IV) sedation: Sedative medication is administered by registered anaesthetist, Dr Stephen Han, via a cannula placed on the back of your hand. You will be in a deeply relaxed, semi-conscious state and typically will not remember most of the procedure. You breathe independently throughout. This option is suitable for patients with moderate to severe anxiety or significant gag reflex.
- General anaesthesia: Performed at Chatswood Private Hospital, this option means you will have no recollection of the procedure. It is offered exclusively by our specialist oral surgeon, Dr Thao Truong, for surgical cases. This is best suited to patients requiring complex surgery who hold private health insurance with hospital cover.
Our team is happy to discuss which option is right for you.
- Dental implant: A titanium post placed in the jawbone, topped with a crown. It looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth. Surgery is required, and bone grafting may also be needed. Treatment takes longer than a bridge or denture, but the implant does not involve neighbouring teeth and does not need to be removed. It is the preferred solution in most cases.
- Dental bridge: A fixed prosthesis cemented onto and supported by the neighbouring natural teeth. Those teeth must be permanently shaped (filed down) first, which can lead to the need for root canal treatment in approximately 10% of cases over ten or more years. No surgery is required. Survival rates are typically around 75% after ten years, and replacement is often needed after ten to fifteen years.
- Removable denture: A removable appliance and the most affordable option — generally the quickest and simplest to complete. In suitable cases, dentures can be stabilised by dental implants (implant-retained overdenture) for significantly improved comfort and stability.
When placed by a specialist and maintained well, dental implants have the potential to last a very long time.
Best available dental literature reports survival rates for the titanium dental implant post at approximately 96% after 10 years and 90–95% after 15 to 20 years. The crown placed on top has a survival rate of approximately 90% after 10 years and may need replacement after 15 to 25 years due to normal wear.
SPG has placed over 3,000 implants and 4,500 crowns since operation. We continuously refine our treatment protocols and consistently achieve outcomes that meet or exceed what is commonly reported in the literature. Beyond optimal treatment execution, regular reviews are essential for the best long-term results. During annual reviews, we assess bone levels, gum health, bite forces, and implant screw tightness, and carry out any management needed to reduce the risk of gum disease and excessive bite pressure — both key factors in long-term implant survival.
Most adults in good general health are suitable candidates. Key requirements include sufficient bone volume (assessed via a 3D bone scan), healthy gums, good general health, and being a non-smoker — or a willingness to quit around the time of surgery. We generally recommend waiting until age 25, when jaw development is complete.
If you have previously been told you don't have enough bone, a bone grafting procedure may be able to regenerate the volume needed. This is a procedure Drs Lee and Truong perform regularly. A detailed assessment is required to confirm whether it is suitable for your situation.
Osseointegration is the process by which a titanium implant fuses with the surrounding jawbone. Over eight to twelve weeks following placement, bone cells grow into the textured surface of the implant, forming a biological bond that is remarkably strong — as stable as a natural tooth root, if not more so.
All-on-4 (or All-on-6) is one of several options for full-arch tooth replacement, where an entire jaw of teeth is supported by just four or six implants. It is designed for patients who have lost all or most of their teeth in one or both jaws.
The prosthesis is permanently attached — it does not come out. Patients are typically fitted with a temporary prosthesis shortly after surgery, restoring their smile and function almost immediately.
A detailed individual assessment is required to confirm whether this option is suitable for your situation.
If you are considering a dental implant, you will most likely need a 3D bone scan.
A 3D bone scan (cone beam CT scan) provides critical information that a standard 2D X-ray cannot. Before implant surgery, it is essential for us to know the height, width, and density of the bone, as well as the precise dimensions and three-dimensional position of key anatomical structures such as the sinuses and nerves. This ensures your treatment is planned safely and accurately.
Typical timelines:
- Routine implant (tooth already missing, adequate bone volume): ~4 months, ~4 appointments
- Routine implant (failing tooth still present, adequate bone volume): ~8 months, ~6 appointments
- Complex implant (tooth already missing, insufficient bone volume): ~10 months, ~6 appointments
- Complex implant (failing tooth still present, insufficient bone volume): ~12 months, ~8 appointments
- Complex full-mouth rehabilitation: 4–12 months
Every patient and every case is different. Arriving at the most appropriate treatment plan requires a detailed assessment and an in-depth discussion of your options, goals, and expectations — all of which can significantly influence both duration and cost.
Cost Related FAQs
Your first appointment is a comprehensive examination and in-depth consultation with one of our specialists, and may take up to one hour. During this time, we will assess your dental health in detail, provide a diagnosis, discuss the cause and preventative strategies, outline your treatment options along with associated risks, timeframes, and costs, and address any questions or concerns you may have.
Following the consultation, a comprehensive written treatment plan and report will be emailed to you and your referring dentist (if applicable).
The initial consultation, including a comprehensive written report, is $290. A 3D bone scan, if required, is an additional $200.
An accurate quote can only be provided following a detailed assessment and consultation, as costs vary considerably (can even be outside of these ranges) depending on your clinical complexity, specific requirements, and choice of materials. The figures below are indicative only and subject to change:
- Single routine dental implant (tooth already missing, adequate bone volume, including implant and crown): $5,000 – $7,000+
- Bone grafting or sinus lift, if required: $2,500+ per site
- 3-unit routine implant bridge (teeth already missing, adequate bone volume, including 2 implants and a 3-unit bridge): $15,000+
- Single dental crown on tooth: $2,500 – $3,900+
Treatment fees vary depending on many factors such as bone condition, material used, implant brand and complexity of case. Treatment costs will be fully itemised in your written treatment plan including item numbers.
High-quality dental care in Australia is expensive, and there are genuine reasons for this. Understanding what drives the cost can help you make a more informed decision.
Case complexity: Specialist referrals often involve increased complexity — more planning, more appointments, more time, and more materials, all of which affect cost.
Treatment risk and responsibility: More complex treatments carry greater risks. Managing those risks requires more comprehensive protocols, stricter sterilisation, more meticulous technique, and greater post-operative care — all of which take additional time and resources.
Bone grafting: Where bone has been lost, complex grafting or a sinus lift may be required before implants can be placed, adding appointments, surgical time, and materials.
Accreditation and sterilisation standards: SPG is accredited to NSQHS standards — the same standard applied to hospitals. All implant surgeries are carried out under strict sterile conditions, with a dedicated scout nurse and a sterile nurse present throughout to minimise infection risk.
Materials and laboratory work: SPG uses only TGA-approved materials, leading implant systems, genuine components, and premium local ceramists. This directly affects both quality and cost.
Implant systems: We use only proven, long-track-record implant systems — Nobel Biocare and Straumann. These implant systems and their associated componentry attract a premium in costs.
Specialist practice: Dental Board-registered specialists are held to a higher standard than general dental practice. Maintaining that standard requires investment in materials, training, staffing, and time.
Yes. We offer direct payment by instalments, and eligible patients may qualify for interest-free payment plans for up to 12 months — allowing you to begin treatment now and spread the cost over time. Please contact us to discuss your treatment needs and eligibility.
After each treatment, SPG will provide you with itemised receipts including ADA item numbers, which you can submit directly to your health fund. If your policy includes dental extras, you may be able to claim a portion of the cost — the rebate amount will depend on your level of cover and specific policy.
We do not process HICAPS on-site. Dental treatment is not generally claimable through Medicare.
Complex dental treatments typically fall under extras cover for major dental. Claimable amounts vary significantly by fund, level of cover, and policy. Common item numbers for prosthodontic and implant treatment include:
- 017 – Initial consultation
- 688 – Dental implant surgical placement
- 661 and 671 – Dental implant crown and abutment
- 615 – Dental crown on tooth
- 236 and 243 – Complex bone grafting
Before any treatment begins, SPG provides a detailed treatment plan, quote, and full list of item numbers so you can check what is claimable under your policy. After each treatment, you will receive an itemised receipt for direct claiming with your fund. We do not process HICAPS on-site.
Other FAQs
Yes. We are conveniently located in the heart of Chatswood, just a few minutes' walk from the Chatswood train, metro, and bus interchange.
Streets near our practice (Help Street, Brown Street, Railway Street) have limited 1-hour street parking. For longer stays, there is a Secure parking station on Brown Street and Wilson parking nearby. Chatswood Westfield also offers free parking within easy walking distance of our practice.
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