Treat yourself to clean teeth and minty fresh breath! For an easy $99!

We’ve recently added a new team member, hygienist Reem. As an introductory offer, we invite new patients to our practice to come in an have an hour’s clean with our hygienist for $99!

During this ONE HOUR appointment Reem will:

• check your gums and assess your risk for (or the presence of) gum disease,
• clean your teeth thoroughly and;
• make recommendations should she feel that you need a more comprehensive dental check up.

This offer is applicable only to new patients to our practice and only through the internet. Please mention this ad when making your appointment. Hygienist appointments on Monday and Tuesdays, 830am to 500pm only. Special Offer Times:

Monday- Tuesday

8.30-5.00 pm

Lvl 2, 136 Customs St West,

Auckland Central 1010

Auckland

(09) 365 1565

info@dentalassociates.co.nz

  ]]> http://dentalassociates.co.nz/new-patient-hygiene//feed 0 http://dentalassociates.co.nz/composite-veneers/ http://dentalassociates.co.nz/composite-veneers/#comments Wed, 28 Dec 2011 02:02:37 +0000 admin http://da2.mental.co.nz/?p=116 Composite veneers – a viable (and cheaper) alternative to porcelain veneers? It would seem, watching TV these days, that any makeover would be incomplete without dental work to “straighten and brighten” the smile. Is just me, or are the SURGEONS themselves looking a tad made-over as well? Smile reconstruction is normally achieved by the use of porcelain veneers – fine, thin pieces of porcelain overlaid on top of dental enamel. Working with porcelain is expensive and it is not uncommon for treatment plans to exceed the $10,000 mark. Is there an alternative? Well, happily, there may be, in some cases. Composite, has been the restorative workhorse of dentistry for quite some time. The word “composite” refers to the ingredients used to make this material – a combination or “composite” of resins and fillers to achieve life like tooth colours, strength and wear resistance. Many of you would already have composites in your mouth – it’s what your dentist would use for “white” or “tooth coloured” fillings. Newer generations of composite materials allow for very lifelike colours and translucencies making these fillings nearly invisible to the untrained (and occasionally, trained!) eyes. If the required modification to tooth colour and alignment is not extensive, then composite veneers – a thin layer of composite instead of porcelain – could be utilized to improve both alignment and colour of teeth. Costs are, in almost all cases, markedly less than what the same treatment would cost if carried out using porcelain.

There is a catch though (isn’t there always). A huge advantage of porcelain restorations is that they are fabricated in a laboratory – the restorations can be tweaked and adjusted to a very high degree. Colour, shape, characterizations (e.g. white spots) can be easily introduced into these restorations, and modified till things look as you want them to. Composite veneers have to be done “on the fly” so to speak, with the veneers sculpted in the mouth. The procedure is very technique sensitive and moisture control is very important, as moisture from saliva (or your breath!) can affect the bonding of these veneers to the tooth. The downside from all this is that a set of eight composite veneers can sometimes take up to three hours to place, sculpt and finish; the upside is that it often costs a fraction of the cost of porcelain.

Aside from costs, there are a number of advantages to this procedure. There is little need to remove tooth structure so the procedure is nearly always reversible. Secondly, composites can often be repaired, so if a fragment breaks off, it can often be invisibly fixed, something that cannot be done with porcelain. There are also drawbacks. You nearly always end up with teeth that are slightly thicker than your natural ones as composite is “added” on the surface of your teeth. It is also often very difficult to mask discoloration on very dark teeth with composite, although opaqueing agents can help with this. Composite is not has hard wearing as porcelain so these restorations will need yearly polishing to maintain their luster and surface gloss.

How long will these veneers last? I would suggest that 7 years would be a decent amount of time before either replacement or refurbishing is needed. In refurbishment, a new layer of composite may be overlaid after thinning the original veneer.

If you are considering these, be sure to ask your dentist if he or she is experienced in doing these and if he or she is comfortable doing these – some dentists aren’t and they can be fiddly things to do. If you are considering either porcelain or composite and would like whiter teeth, you may have to consider having your teeth whitened before embarking on the placement of these restorations as composite/porcelain WILL NOT WHITEN!

These veneers are NOT suitable if you have issues with clenching and grinding your teeth, and there are other concerns that you would affect the suitability of these in your mouth. You should discuss this with your dentist.

Adrian Tan practices from his Viaduct rooms where he focuses on aesthetic and surgical dentistry. He’s a member of the New Zealand Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He makes regular small contributions to the IRD, whilst the rest of his income goes to supporting his two small dogs.

PATIENT P :: 8 composite veneers and 1 porcelain crown were placed here. The crown is the lateral incisor on the left. These took me 4 hours to complete, 3 hours to place and an hour a week later for final finishing. The teeth were bleached before starting.You can see that the shape of all the teeth were recontoured in composite, and the teeth further back were “built up” to show more tooth and to create a more “youthful” looking smile. PATIENT R :: Patient here had spaces between his front teeth that he found unsightly, he really didn’t want to go through the trouble of wearing braces, although these were initially offered to him as a treatment plan. We opted for composite veneers as I didn’t really want to cut MORE tooth structure away for crowns. An IVOCLAR/VIVADENT video. Courtesy of Dr Markus Lenhard, Heidelberg, Germany

]]> http://dentalassociates.co.nz/composite-veneers//feed 0 http://dentalassociates.co.nz/why-is-my-dental-treatment-so/ http://dentalassociates.co.nz/why-is-my-dental-treatment-so/#comments Wed, 28 Dec 2011 02:00:28 +0000 admin http://da2.mental.co.nz/?p=113 “Why did one dentist recommend I have 8 crowns, a bleach and numerous white fillings when another one said that all I needed was a clean?”Sound familiar? You may have heard this common perplexing query OR have had the same query yourself. You may also wonder why one dentist would charge one fee for a filling, whilst another dentist would charge markedly more!

There’s no simple answer to this and surprisingly enough it is not always – “he’s trying to rip you off”! In dentistry, as in many other professions, there are many ways to skin a cat. Apologies to all cat lovers out there!

(The dog isn’t mine, but belongs to a hygienist in the US – it’s a funny picture though!)

Take for example the number of filling materials that can be utilized for restoring a cavity – amalgam, zinc phosphate cement, glass ionomer, composite, composite/glass ionomer hybrid, gold, CEREC milled porcelain (chair-side milling) and laboratory fabricated porcelain. The porcelains themselves are further divided into all-ceramic, with zirconia or alumina cores, ceramic with metal cores; the metal cores then can be divided into precious or non-precious metal – you get the point, I assume.

All of these materials are suitable for replacing missing tooth structure, the CHOICE, of which material you would use would depend on the environment (acidic, clean/unclean, prone to decay), maintenance habits (regular attender, once every 10 years), cost that can be afford (beer budget?) and patient wants (just slap something in there mate, I have a pub crawl to go to).

If given a choice I would probably place gold restorations into every back tooth that needed a large filling because this material lasts, but the cost would be prohibitive and patients have an aversion to gold fillings because of their appearance. Similarly, in an acidic mouth, with poor patient oral hygiene, placing composite fillings and expecting them to last the distance is probably wistful thinking.

In addition to the TYPE of material being used, there’s also an option in the MEANS of placing the filling. As a dentist I have a choice of using standard diamond drills, or powder abrasion units, or even lasers. All these tools can be used to prepare a cavity for a filling. Consider this though – a standard dentist’s drill would cost between $1000-$3000, but a laser would cost $120,000! Clearly, this would impact on the cost of provision of treatment. Dental chairs also range from $17995 to as much as $129,995! You can easily kit up a dental surgery to start drilling away for as little as $50,000, but you can also kit the same surgery up to the tune of a cool $500,000.

Another factor would be the number of assistants, I regularly work with 2 assistants allowing me to work more efficiently, improve my service level and greatly increase the cross-infection control of my clinical area – that is, one assistant would focus on assisting me, and the other would control the environment making sure that surfaces are kept contaminant free. This allows greater patient focus, and certainly better care. The overall service to the patient is increased, as I’m seldom rushed to complete treatment, but clearly increases the cost of treatment.

Perhaps the most ethereal factor in this whole process is the “reasonable standard of care” – what is considered “reasonable” by one dentist may not be the same as another.

Let me give you an example here, my patient base has certain “expectations” in terms of what is the minimum required, and in many cases would not balk at a case fee of many thousands of dollars. Once you’ve have worked in an environment such as this for some time, you make a gradual shift in your perceptions for “reasonable care” towards the more definitive, longer term, higher quality and MORE EXPENSIVE treatment options – someone going into Tiffany’s in New York is probably not looking for a bargain!

However, a good way to get the treatment that you want is to be honest and upfront about what your budget is. Many treatment plans can be modified to suit any budget, and in many cases these alternatives will give you many years of good use before needing replacement. The key here is COMMUNICATION with your health provider.

Clearly, the other thing that has to be said here, as it’s probably on everyone’s mind, is that more expensive treatment is not necessarily better treatment. You need to build a rapport with your health professional, be they your dentist or your doctor, this is the only way that they can understand you as a person and be better able to customize your treatment plans to who you are. By building a relationship with a patient as a person, the dental professional can better see the WHOLE picture and not just focus on the tooth!

See your dentist regularly – don’t be a stranger!

Dr Adrian Tan is a regular contributor of small amounts of money to the largest New Zealand charitable organisation – the IRD. He also works hard at his practice on Auckland’s beautiful VIADUCT harbour, so he can keep his two dogs in the manner to which they are accustomed.

A patient and I were having a bit of a laugh the other day (well, he was laughing at me, although he swears it was with me), when I presented a quote for a not-too-sizable amount to offset the effects of years of dental deterioration. That said, the laughter resounded even more when I suggested that no matter what we do, the work envisaged would only have a lifespan of about 10 years.

“Who’d spend X much dollars on something that would only last 10 years, doc?”

“Well, they are called men, Bob (lets call him Bob), and they’ll spend 10X on cars that they replace every 5 years.”

“Oh, come on doc,” spluttered Bob, “I use my car everyday …”

Hmm, okay, so Bob somehow manages not to use his teeth everyday. For the rest of us unluckier souls, there is the problem of how to maintain a dentition that is heavily filled and in a steady state of wear and tear.

The “gold standard” would certainly be the replacement of these worn out restorations with gold fillings or crowns, as these types of restorations last the very longest. However, there is a bit of resistance when you suggest this as most people seem to have an aversion to gold teeth – most say that they remind them of their grandparents. I must say, though that never having known my grandparents, I nearly rushed out to get gold teeth to see if I could inspire any latent childhood memories of the oldies.

There is however, a slightly less costly way to restore both the appearance and function of your teeth, without spending the average GDP of a small tropical country – as long as you are willing to accept slightly weaker restorations that won’t last as long.

Dental composites, or plastics, have been around for a great many years, with light cured composites (when it seems like your dentist is sticking what sounds like a hair-dryer in your mouth) making their first appearance in the 1970s. Although very technique sensitive, composites when placed appropriately in the right places can confer great strength and function to teeth, albeit for a shorter amount of time.

How much shorter? Depends on the studies you read, practically, I expect my composites to last 5-7 years, up to 10 years if my patient has extremely good oral hygiene. As you would expect, if neglect leads to tooth structure loss, it would also lead to loss of restorations. Some composite restorations struggle to last 2-3 years, if care is not taken to keep them clean.

Composites offer a good alternative to the porcelain veneers that you keep hearing harped on about on just about every TV makeover program. Porcelain offers fantastic aesthetics and strength, and last a goodly amount of time. However, should your porcelain veneers fragment, fracture or fall off, there’s no repairing them and replacement is often the only option. Composite veneers do not have the high gloss of porcelain or the translucency but in many cases can look nearly as good as their porcelain cousins. Additionally, you can repair and repolish composite WITHOUT removing the entire restoration.

Composite veneers are often carried out in two steps: an initial preparation, application and shaping of composite to the teeth, and then a follow-up polish appointment. In many cases these types of veneers can be placed without gross preparation of the surface of the teeth. However, they WILL feel thicker than porcelain in some cases.

Cost wise they compare favourably with porcelain, often costing about 50% of the cost of porcelain veneers and restorations. Not every dentist is comfortable placing multi-unit composites as unlike laboratory made restorations, a composite veneer or restoration is to dentistry what live-action theatre is to movies – you get one go at it! So make sure you discuss this with your dentist and are comfortable that HE/SHE is happy to do them.

“So Bob,” I winced, “Let’s talk about your teeth that you don’t use every day.”

The laughter is still ringing in my ears.

Adrian Tan is a general dental practitioner practicing near the water in Auckland’s beautiful Viaduct Harbour! I’m only describing it thus as it’s really cold down here at the moment and this description makes it sound like summer. When it’s warmer. He has two small, grumpy dogs that sometimes greets patients at his reception. He’s a member of the New Zealand Academy of Cosmetic Dentists, and the New Zealand Dental Association. He makes small, regular contributions to the IRD, a New Zealand based charitable organization for the redistribution of dental incomes.

“That one.” I said, grabbing his tongue.

Okay, all a little tongue in cheek here (bad pun) but lower dentures are the bane of the denture making world. In many cases there is little room on the lower jaw for TEETH much less unwieldy bits of plastic!

When teeth are extracted, part of the healing process involves the remodeling of bone that once used to support these teeth, essentially this body “ridge” is remodeled almost flat resulting the the loss of a considerable amount of bone. This means that there is often not much more than a fleshy ridge that we are now going to try to support a denture upon. Whilst this is sufficient for forces directly perpendicular onto the denture (and therefore onto the bone), it is clearly not enough support when lateral (sideways) forces are applied – hence the influence of that meaty growth the tongue, which when thrust will push the denture off the ridge.

This destabilises the denture and results in the lower denture not “fitting”.

“Whatever doc, I just want my dentures to fit”, says patient, eyes glazed over from my little soliloquy.

Well, firstly, denture adhesives don’t work. Denture adhesives work by increasing the force needed to remove the UPPER dentures from the nice flat, fleshy palate. The adhesion is not enough to prevent lateral displacement of the LOWER denture.

The reality is that only two things will now present themselves as solutions:

1. Don’t wear a lower denture at all, get used to it, stay on softer foods.
2. Have 2 implants placed in the lower jaw to keep the denture in place.

Amazingly, quite a few people opt for option (1)!!! But if this is clearly not acceptable, then by placing two titanium dental implants into the lower jaw you can then fit housings into the lower denture allow IT to clip onto the implants and, viola, stability!

In the past few years the cost of this treatment has dropped considerably, and where it would have cost over $10,000 (including the dentures), it can be done for nearly half the cost now. There are a few issues to be aware off, including the complications associated with surgery, and there is a failure rate associated with implants, but for the most part this form of surgery is relatively successful. ]]> http://dentalassociates.co.nz/my-lower-dentures-dont-fit//feed 0 http://dentalassociates.co.nz/the-5-levels-of-dental-care/ http://dentalassociates.co.nz/the-5-levels-of-dental-care/#comments Wed, 28 Dec 2011 01:50:39 +0000 admin http://da2.mental.co.nz/?p=102 The 5 Levels of Dental Care we offer our patients

Choosing a new dentist and dental health team can be a challenge, leaving you feeling somewhat uncertain. Let us share some insights about what we do for our patients. The philosophy guiding our practice is as follows:

“Our practicing philosophy is to ensure that each and every patient feels that their dental needs and wants are being catered for. We are here to help you reach a decision on what is best for you dentally. We aim to do this to the highest possible standard”

In other words, we’ll help you be or become as healthy as you choose. This is a major departure from the way dentists were trained. Instead of telling you how healthy you ought to be, we will try to help you understand your choices about dental health and then let you make a free and informed decision. Your first choice in this regard is how you would like to begin treatment with us. There are five levels on which people may choose to be seen in our practice.

Level 1 :: URGENT CARE

People in crisis or with an emergency problem such as pain, swelling, or bleeding that need my immediate help are at this level. I to try see emergencies immediately, whenever possible.

Level 2 :: REMEDIAL CARE

People who choose this level of care desire treatment only when something breaks or becomes uncomfortable. Generally people at this level expect a limited type of examination, focusing on obvious problems. They usually want to correct immediate problems with as little effort and cost as possible.

Level 3 :: SELF-CARE

Patients who choose this level of care want a thorough examination and take an active part in the treatment and prevention of present and future disease problems. However, they usually choose repair solutions that are short range in nature.

Level 4 :: COMPLETE DENTISTRY

Patients at this level are similar to people described in level 3. They choose to have a thorough examination. However, they decide on an OVERALL PLAN to formulate a long-term treatment plan for health and repair. These patients are very concerned about treating the causes of dental disease, not simply the effects. These patients want all dental treatment provided to be completed in the most lasting fashion possible.

Level 5 :: LOOK YOUR BEST

People in this group are in level 4 as far as dental health is concerned, but also want to look their best at alltimes. They know that their smile is the first things others notice about them and want to put their best foot forward.

Does this all make sense? It is not uncommon for people to begin at one level and progress to another over time. We are here to help you discover and decide at what level you are most comfortable. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you and provide you with the best dentistry appropriate for you. ]]> http://dentalassociates.co.nz/the-5-levels-of-dental-care//feed 0 http://dentalassociates.co.nz/wisdom-teeth-why-the-ouch-do-we-have-them/ http://dentalassociates.co.nz/wisdom-teeth-why-the-ouch-do-we-have-them/#comments Wed, 28 Dec 2011 01:48:23 +0000 admin http://da2.mental.co.nz/?p=99 Ah, wisdom teeth. The story is that these are called “wisdom teeth” because they then to come in when a person is between the ages of 17 and 21 – an age where you would expect to have some “wisdom” – although now that 30 is the new 20, I don’t quite know WHAT you’d call wisdom teeth! Common complains amongst people of this age that either their wisdom teeth are causing their front teeth to shift OR they are having pain from the region.

So why are wisdom teeth such a pain? Third molars, or wisdom teeth, are the last of the adult teeth to erupt and in most cases erupt into a jaw which is lacking in space to accept these large teeth.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that as our diets become more and more processed and refined we just do not use our jaws (and jaw muscles) to the extend that affords the bony accommodation towards larger jaws – our foods are too soft and we don’t need strong muscles and concurrently large jaws to mash it all up! As such, if mom and dad fed you the occasional side of raw meat and chucked you some unprocessed grains to go with it whilst you were growing up, you’re likely to have well developed jaw muscles and a consequently large jaw!

Commonly then, we end up with smaller jaws with less space for the wisdom teeth. Which become impacted (which is a fancy dental way of saying “stuck behind” something). There are many forms of impaction with the most common being soft-tissue impaction (stuck underneath gum tissue) and mesial impaction (stuck underneath the back of the second molar).

So why remove wisdom teeth? Well, firstly, it is not always necessary to remove these teeth and in some cases, removal would be more detrimental than leaving things as they are. The main reasons for the removal of these teeth are infection and the potential for the formation of an abscess and/or cyst in the jaw, damage to the molar tooth IN FRONT of the wisdom tooth due to resorption and decay with the potential for infection due to the inability to effectively clean the wisdom tooth.

It is really important to have your wisdom teeth assessed in your late teens and/or early twenties as any problems spotted early on can be treated more readily and with less complications!

The most common complication post-operatively is infection with subsequent pain and swelling, but the most dramatic complication of wisdom teeth extraction is nerve damage resulting in a numb lower lip or side of tongue – for life! Fortunately, the latter complication is rare and is a risk usually when the tip of the roots of the wisdom tooth come into close approximation with a rather important nerve that runs to your lower lip (or the nerve that runs to the side of your tongue)!

As part of my standard practice, I normally request a CT scan if I have doubts as to the relationship between the nerve and the root, but this is not commonly asked for – partly because of the cost involved!

Before undertaking wisdom teeth surgery, make sure you ask your dentist for the reasons why your teeth need coming out, what are the possible complications (and always specifically ask about nerve damage), what are the post-operative complications, and the costs involved.

Typically, surgery can cost anywhere from $1600 to as much as $4500 depending on the x-rays needed, and complexity of the case.

Dr Adrian Tan is a general practitioner based on Auckland’s beautiful Viaduct Harbour. He has a special interest in surgery and cosmetic dentistry, which helps him feed his two little dogs. He makes regular contributions to New Zealand’s largest charitable organisation, the IRD.

An example of wisdom tooth surgery. This is NOT for the faint-hearted! This was carried out by a surgeon in Italy.

Contact us for an assessment Consultation $95 Panoramic radiograph $120 CT scan (off site) $250-$350 Phone +64 (9) 365 1565 Fascimile +64 (9) 365 1575 eMail info@dentalassociates.co.nz

]]> http://dentalassociates.co.nz/wisdom-teeth-why-the-ouch-do-we-have-them//feed 0 http://dentalassociates.co.nz/veneers/ http://dentalassociates.co.nz/veneers/#comments Wed, 28 Dec 2011 01:33:44 +0000 admin http://da2.mental.co.nz/?p=96 What are veneers?

Simply put, a veneer is a “coating”. In dental terms, the word veneer basically means one of three possible things – a crown (full coverage veneer), a porcelain veneer or a composite veneer. All work on this page carried out by our dentists.

Crowns – full coverage veneers

The term veneer is rarely used in New Zealand to refer to crowns, but you sometimes hear this word used in American programs (eg Da Vinci Veneers). Crowns are full coverage restorations made of stainless steel (rare), gold, or porcelain (with or without a metal inner “sheath”). Crowns placed on back teeth can often last between 15-20 years. Crowns on front teeth often last a shorter period of time, not because of strenght issues or wear, but because they start looking worse for wear 10-15 years down the line.

Porcelain veneers

These are thin pieces of porcelain used to cover over the outer surfaces of teeth – usually to improve colour and shape, but sometimes to improve the alignment between teeth (it straighten the appearance of your teeth). Veneers are very thin, usually less than 1mm in thickness, and require special cements to hold them in place. They can be made to look very lifelike and have a lifespan of between 10-15 years.

Composite veneers

Are similar to porcelain veneers but rather than porcelain, a special resin modified with ceramic fillers is often used. This composite of materials is hard and wear resistent and can be used in almost every situation as porcelain veneers. However, they are less wear resistant have a lifespan somewhere between 7-10 years. The main advantages are that composite is affordable and can be repaired if damaged. Composite veneers cost $540 per tooth.

Can anyone have veneers?

No, in order to judge suitability, your dentist will need to assess your teeth, your bite and the overall condition of your mouth.

All ceramic PROCERA ZIRCONIA crowns Composite veneers used to correct mild irregularity (with ONE all ceramic PROCERA crown – can you tell which?)

Call us to make an appointment for a full SMILE ASSESSMENT! +64(9) 365 1565 Or to ask a question: info@dentalassociates.co.nz

]]> http://dentalassociates.co.nz/veneers//feed 0 http://dentalassociates.co.nz/dental-titanium-implants/ http://dentalassociates.co.nz/dental-titanium-implants/#comments Wed, 28 Dec 2011 01:22:26 +0000 admin http://da2.mental.co.nz/?p=93

Implants will replace any lost tooth/teeth Well almost, in some instances the bone underlying that is needed to support the implant is of a poor (or non-existent) quality and in these cases implants may not be placed or can only be placed with additional bone grafting procedures! Areas of the mouth that often pose issues with implants are the back portion of the lower and upper jaws – in the case of the upper jaw the air sinus can complicate matters and the lower jaw the inferior dental nerve! Implants will look as natural as my own teeth Yes, in most cases, they will. Look at the case that I completed on the right column, the implant placement and aesthetic components were carried out by myself. Implants will “feel” natural They should also feel 99% similar to having your own teeth, but sometimes the implant supported crown may have a different “feel” due to the materials used and the shape needed to fit properly into the implant. It’s funny to talk about feel when talking about teeth but the truth is that all your teeth are attached to your jaw bones by a specialized ligament called the periodontal ligament and within this ligament sits a whole range of nerve fibre endings. These fibres transmit information about the pressure the tooth is under and the forces acting upon it. Don’t believe me? Ever inadvertently bite on a hard piece of stone whilst chewing a sandwich, you’ll soon understand how sensitive these nerves are! The nerve endings also act as a safeguard so that you don’t end up putting too much pressure your teeth. Implants DO NOT feel the same – some patients say that a single implant can sometimes feel “empty” almost like it’s not there! The implant will be placed and my tooth with be replaced in one surgical appointment Well, no. Immediate loaded implants can work but only if there is enough bone in the area to adequately support and load the implant. If not, then a two stage procedure will have to be carried out, where the implants are placed first and then a 3-4 month healing phase is allowed to occur before the placing of the crown atop the implant. During this phase you can opt for NO temporary (rare this), a temporary denture, or a temporary resin bridge. So what ARE the steps? If a tooth has be extracted, then the tooth is normally extracted and if the site is suitable for immediate placement of an implant, the implant is then placed as soon as the tooth is taken out. However, if the site is not suitable, a bone graft may have to be placed, and the implant placed 3 months later. Once the implant is placed, a further 3-4 months is allowed to go by to allow the implant to integrate or “take”. The implant’s stability is then checked and then the construction of the crown is carried out. This normally takes 1-2 weeks. My dentist says I need soft/hard tissue “augmentation” or “plastic surgery” together with my implant. This is sometimes needed, the soft tissue procedure is known as a gingivo-plasty or if more extensive a mucoso-plasty or vestibulo-plasty; the hard tissue procedure is known as a bone graft. Sometimes, depending on the length of time the missing tooth to be replaced has been gone, the soft tissues in the area would have shrunk and deformed during healing leaving little, if any, bone for the implant. What sort of implants do YOU use? Here at Dental Associates we use NobelBiocare implants. What do implants cost? This varies depending on the type of implant used and the amount of site preparation needed. Costs can range from as little as NZD$4500 for the complete procedure to replace a single tooth to as much as NZD$10,000 for a difficult case. You should discuss this with your dentist before undertaking treatment. Choices such as a full ceramic crown and full ceramic foundation, can also add to your cost. Work on this page carried out by Dr Adrian Tan, who practices on Auckland’s beautiful Viaduct Harbour. Adrian is a graduate of Otago University’s Faculty of Dentistry and currently works to support his two fussy dogs.

Call us for an assessment appointment:(09) 365 1565Tuesday – Friday 8.30am – 5.00pmor email for more information:info@dentalassociates.co.nz An example of a NobelBiocare Active implant The central incisor to the left has a fractured root, resulting in localised swelling in the gum above the crown The tooth was taken out and an implant immediately put in place. This was then immediately loaded with a temporary crown and sutures were put in place. Radiograph showing implant in place and temporary crown. Implant ceramic foundations screwed into place. Implant and crown in place, redness in gum is from manipulation prior to seating of implant. Minor laser surgery planned to remove grey mark on gum. Finished smile! Laser wound still healing, this was taken one week post operatively.