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.

Why arent final teeth placed immediately after implants

Why Final Teeth Aren’t Placed Immediately After Dental Implants

May 5, 2026

2 minute read

If you’ve been researching Perth dental implants, you may have come across the idea of getting “final teeth” immediately after surgery.

So why do many clinics—including ours—recommend waiting before placing your final bridge?

The answer comes down to healing, precision, and long-term outcomes.

Your mouth changes after implant surgery

Following full arch dental implant placement, your body begins a natural healing process.

During this time:

The implants integrate with your jawbone
Gum tissue settles and reshapes
Your bite position may slightly adjust

These changes are normal—but they mean your mouth is not yet stable enough for a final bridge. Find out more about the temporary and final teeth process.

Final teeth require precision

Your final ceramic bridge (often made from zirconia) is custom-designed to fit your mouth precisely.

For the best possible fit:

Measurements need to be taken after healing
Your bite needs to be stable
Gum levels should be settled

Placing a final bridge too early may mean it needs significant adjustment later.

Temporary teeth play an important role

Instead of placing final teeth straight away, a temporary acrylic bridge is used.

This allows you to:

Have teeth within 24 hours
Maintain appearance and function
Heal without excessive pressure on implants

Think of this stage as a transition period rather than a delay.

Why zirconia isn’t used immediately

Zirconia is a strong and durable material, but it’s also very rigid and requires precise manufacturing.

It may not be suitable immediately after surgery because:

Your bite is still settling
Adjustments are more difficult
It typically takes 1–2 weeks to manufacture

Waiting helps ensure the final result is based on a stable foundation.

Different types of implant bridges available.

The benefit of waiting

While it may seem like an extra step, delaying final teeth can help:

Improve long-term fit and comfort
Reduce the need for future adjustments
Support better healing outcomes

This staged approach is commonly used to balance immediate function with long-term stability.

What to expect for full arch implants (All-on-4® Perth) instead

Most clients will:

Receive a temporary bridge within 24 hours
Heal over approximately 3–4 months
Return for design and placement of their final bridge

Your dentist will guide you through each stage and tailor the process to your individual needs.

Final thoughts

Getting teeth quickly after implant surgery is still possible—but those first teeth are not your final teeth.

Allowing time for healing helps ensure your long-term result is as stable, comfortable and functional as possible.

Book a Consultation to learn more about full arch dental implants (including All-on-4®).

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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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