What is the experience of the dentist placing your dental implant?

Did you know that the placement of dental implants is not taught to dentists at university and they have to undergo further training to learn how to do this? At Perth Dental Implant Centre, our principle dentist, Dr. David Norcross, has completed extensive further training in dental implants and our clinic is dedicated to performing dental implant treatments. When done well, dental implants can be a very successful treatment, but when done incorrectly the results can be catastrophic. It’s important that your dentist has the right qualifications & experience.

What dental implant is being used in your mouth?

There are hundreds of different manufacturers of dental implants which differ in cost and quality. Some of the implants used overseas are not licensed for use in Australia and some can even be low-quality copies.

Will I need a temporary tooth while the dental implant heals?

There may be a period of time when we need to leave the dental implant to heal before we can make the final tooth/teeth. We’re able to provide you with a number of different temporary tooth options with different costs.

What are the sedation options if I’m nervous or have a complex procedure?

Many of our patients have dental implants placed following a simple local anaesthetic injection. However, some patients would prefer to sleep through the procedure. We can perform any tooth extraction and/or implant placement under IV sedation or full general anaesthetic. For those with private health insurance hospital cover, the cost of the anaesthetist and hospital will be fully covered (no gap). You may just have a hospital excess to pay depending on your policy. For those without private health insurance, we have very competitive rates for IV sedation with our visiting GP anaesthetist, some of which may be covered by Medicare.

What is involved in the new keyhole method?

A new way we are placing dental implants is using computer guided 3D printed guides. This allows us to place dental implants using “keyhole” surgery. This can make the process much less invasive, quicker and safer.

How much does a dental implant cost and why is there such a variety in cost?

Dental implants are not just something we can pluck off a shelf in a shop that have a fixed price. In the same way that your teeth are unique to you, we have to develop a dental implant plan that perfectly meets your needs, both financially and to give you the very best possible result for the long term. This means that the process and the time that it takes will vary from person to person. Therefore, it can be very difficult for us to provide an “off the shelf” cost. We need to see you in person to assess those factors to then be able to provide you with an appropriate cost.

Is your missing tooth at the front of your mouth or the back of your mouth?

The amount and quality of bone into which we can place a dental implant is different in each part of the mouth. For example, the bone at the front of the mouth can be much thinner which means a more complex treatment may be required to achieve a successful result. Teeth at the front of the mouth may be much more visible when the patient smiles which can also make the treatment more complex. At the back of the mouth there may be more available bone and less need for an aesthetic outcome, making the treatment far simpler. Following a 3D bone scan we can fully assess your circumstances and come up with a unique treatment plan for the best results.

Do you need a 3D bone scan to assess if you are a suitable candidate for a dental implant?

To accurately check if you have enough bone available to place dental implants, we take a detailed 3D xray known as a CBCT scan. This is similar to a CT scan but with a much lower dose of radiation. This shows us exactly how much bone you have and where vital structures such as nerves, the sinuses and other tooth roots are. We can then ensure that when placing the implant there is no risk of the implant damaging these structures. We believe that a dental implant should not be placed without first carefully assessing a 3D bone scan. At the Perth Dental Implant Centre, we have in-house 3D scanners at both of our clinics and can tell you on the day of your consultation, saving you time and money.

About

We believe that great dental care comes from skill, precision, and a focus on your comfort, confidence and long-term oral health.

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Dental Implants & All-on-4® Centre of Excellence

Recognised by Nobel Biocare as an All-on-4® Centre of Excellence, our team brings extensive experience and advanced training in full arch dental implant treatment.

We apply this expertise across clinically proven techniques to deliver personalised, high-quality outcomes for every client.

Team Behind Your Care

We’ll guide you through every step with implant care tailored to you.

Principal Dentist

Dr Dave Norcross

Dr David Norcross is the founder of Perth’s dedicated dental implant clinic, Perth Dental Implant Centre and has been restoring patients’ smiles using dental implants.

Principal Dentist

Dr David O’Dowling

Dr O'Dowling graduated from University College Cork, Ireland, in 2006 and was recognised with awards in both oral surgery and restorative dentistry.

Clinical Support

Brittany Bashford

Dental Technician & Nurse

Gemma Luxton

Treatment Coordinator

Gusti Sutton

Surgical Nurse

Choosing An Implant Dentist

In Australia, there is no formal title for “implant dentist”.

There are general dentists and specialists, each with varying levels of experience and training.

That’s why it’s important to choose a dentist you trust and feel comfortable with.

When choosing your dentist, consider these trust factors:

Experience & Expertise
- Clinical experience
- Technician experience
- Technology

Your Results
- Teeth quality
- Materials
- Longevity

Your Experience
- Sedation
- Aftercare
- Safety

Investment
- Affordability
- Payment Options

At PDIC, we provide treatment that is safe, precise, and tailored to each patient. Read more on How to Choose the Right Dentist for your Dental Implants.

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Flexible Finance

Payment plans

Dental loans

Early release of super (where applicable)*

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People Also Ask

How much training does a general dentist need before placing implants?

When it comes to performing dental implant surgery, there are currently no mandated requirements governing the amount of training a general dentist must complete before placing dental implants. In some cases, a dentist may undertake a short 1–2 day course and begin placing implants with limited experience. However, research indicates that clinical experience plays a significant role in treatment outcomes.

Dr David Norcross and Dr David O'Dowling have each undertaken extensive postgraduate education in implant dentistry, completing advanced programs and clinical residencies over many years.

Dr David Norcross graduated from Leeds University with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery. He went on to complete a one-year Master Clinician Program in Implant Dentistry through the Global Institute for Dental Education (gIDE) in collaboration with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He has also completed clinical residencies at the Malo Clinic in Melbourne and Portugal — the birthplace of the All-on-4® technique — gaining advanced training in full-arch rehabilitation.

Dr David O'Dowling graduated from University College Cork in Ireland and completed a Master of Science in Oral Implantology at Goethe Dental School in Germany. He also holds Diplomate status with the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry, a qualification that permits specialist implant registration in the United States.

When you choose our team for implant surgery, you’re placing your smile in experienced hands.
Are the cost of the appointments and any additional x-rays included in the advertised prices?

Dental implant treatment can take 3-9 months to complete and involve a number of appointments and x-rays of the implant and jawbone at different stages. We do not charge extra for follow-up appointments and clinical radiographs required in the six month period after your surgery.
How much does a dental implant cost?
Dental implant costs usually start from $4,500 for a single tooth implant. This includes:
- Surgical placement of a titanium implant
- Titanium abutment
- CAD-CAM milled monolithic zirconia crown
- Clinical radiographs (excluding 3D CBCT scan)
- 6 months of follow-up appointments
Total treatment costs vary depending on your individual treatment needs, and will factor in:
- How many implants you’re having placed
- Bone or gum grafting
- Dental implant system
- Replacement tooth materials
- Experience of the dental technician manufacturing your tooth
- Sedation and/or hospital fees
- Any pre-treatment needs (gum treatments)
- Any aftercare and maintenance needs (night splint for teeth grinding)
At Perth Dental Implant Centre, we customise a dental implant treatment plan to perfectly suit your dental and financial needs for long-term success. During your initial consultation, we assess your suitability for surgery and long-term maintenance, payment options, payment plan solutions and check applicable private health fund rebates using our HICAPS machine. Book your free consultation today.
How experienced is my dentist at placing implants?

At Perth Dental Implant Centre, our head dentists have dedicated their careers to advanced dental implant care.

Dr David Norcross brings over 15 years’ experience in implant surgery, having completed extensive international training including a Master Clinician in Implant Dentistry Programme with certificates from the Global Institute for Dental Education (gIDE) and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He places more than 300 dental implants each year across our dedicated clinics, both recognised as All-on-4® Centres of Excellence, and is a key opinion leader for Nobel Biocare, delivering training and live surgery demonstrations for emerging dentists.

Dr David O’Dowling has also focused his career in implant dentistry for over a decade. He completed a Master of Science in Oral Implantology at Goethe Dental School, Germany, and holds Diplomate status with both the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry, enabling specialist implant registration in the United States. His expertise spans surgical implant placement, full-arch restorations, and advanced prosthetic design.

Together, Dr Norcross and Dr O’Dowling combine extensive training, high surgical volume, and ongoing professional development to deliver implant care guided by precision, safety, and lasting results.

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We provide high-quality treatment at competitive prices with our highly experienced dentists. Find out if dental implants are right for you. Book your free consult & 3D scan today. T&Cs apply.

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