Restorative
Dental implants, planned end-to-end with you.
Permanent tooth replacement that looks, feels and functions like a natural tooth. We plan the case, the specialist places the implant, and we restore it in-house.
What an implant is
A dental implant is a small titanium post placed into the jawbone where a tooth is missing. The surgical placement is performed by a specialist we coordinate with. Over a few months the post fuses with the bone (osseointegration), creating a stable foundation. At Oracare we then fit a custom-made crown, bridge or denture on top — the visible part of the new tooth.
Implants replace single teeth, several teeth, or — in larger cases — a full arch. The implant itself is hidden under the gum; what you see and feel is the visible crown, bridge or denture on top, which is designed to match your natural teeth in shape, colour and bite.
How we work — specialist placement, in-house restoration
For most implant cases, a specialist surgeon we work closely with performs the surgical placement (~90% of cases at Oracare) — typically a periodontist or oral surgeon based on Brisbane's southside (Cleveland, Camp Hill or Coorparoo, depending on the case). We refer the surgical step because the specialist does this work every day and is better placed to handle bone grafting, sinus considerations, and complex tissue management.
What Oracare does in-house, end-to-end:
- Consultation and case planning — assessment, imaging, treatment plan, quote
- Records — OPG, intraoral scan with our 3Shape TRIOS, photographs (CBCT 3D imaging is referred to a Brisbane radiology clinic where needed)
- Specialist referral and case coordination — we manage the handoff to the surgeon and the case notes flow between practices
- Crown, bridge or denture (the visible tooth) — fabricated by our trusted lab and fitted on the implant at Oracare
- Follow-up — six-month and twelve-month reviews, ongoing cleans, repair or replacement of the prosthetic if needed years later
You stay with Oracare for the full journey. The specialist sees you for the placement appointment and any specialist follow-up; we handle everything else.
What to expect
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Visit 1
Consultation and planning at Oracare. We assess the site, take an OPG and a digital scan, and discuss the case with you. If 3D imaging is needed (most cases), we'll arrange a CBCT scan at a Brisbane radiology clinic. You leave with a treatment plan, a quote, and a referral letter to the specialist.
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Visit 2
Placement at the specialist. The implant is surgically placed under local anaesthetic at the specialist's clinic. Most placements take 60–90 minutes per implant. You go home the same day.
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Healing
Osseointegration — 3 to 6 months. The implant fuses to the bone. You return to Oracare for hygiene visits as normal during this period. A temporary tooth may be fitted for the front of your mouth where visibility matters.
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Visit 3
Crown or bridge fit at Oracare. Once the specialist has confirmed the implant is fully integrated, we take a final scan and design the crown, bridge or denture. The lab fabricates the restoration, and at the fit appointment we secure it onto the implant.
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Follow-up
Ongoing care. Six-month and twelve-month reviews after placement, then regular cleans alongside the rest of your dental care. Implants are cleaned the same way as natural teeth.
Common questions
Why is the implant placed by a specialist?
Implant placement is a surgical procedure, and the specialist surgeons we refer to perform it routinely — often multiple cases per day. Referring lets you benefit from that volume of experience, especially in cases needing bone grafting, sinus lifts, or complex angulation. We stay involved through the whole case so you always have one point of contact at Oracare.
How long does the full process take?
From consultation to the final crown, most cases take 4 to 8 months. The variable is healing time — the implant needs to integrate with the bone before we can load it with the final restoration. Simple cases can be quicker; cases needing bone grafting can take longer.
How long do implants last?
The titanium implant itself is designed to be permanent and most last 20+ years with proper care. The prosthetic crown or bridge on top is similar to any other crown — typically 10–15 years before it may need replacing, depending on use and care. Both elements are repaired or replaced individually if needed, without disturbing what's underneath.
How much does an implant cost?
A single-tooth implant case involves both a specialist surgical fee and the crown, bridge or denture fitted at Oracare. Costs vary widely by case — implants are a significant investment. We quote in full at your consultation before any treatment starts. Health funds may rebate part of the restoration; the surgical placement is rarely covered. Interest-free in-house payment plans are available, and ATO compassionate-release super funding is an option for severe cases. See Payment options.
Am I a candidate for an implant?
Most healthy adults with enough jawbone are candidates. The factors that matter most are general health, jawbone density and volume, whether you smoke or vape, and gum health. We assess all of this at the consultation; if bone grafting is needed first, we'll explain that before you commit. If an implant isn't right for your case, we'll discuss the alternatives — a bridge or denture — honestly.
What if my implant fails?
Implant failure is uncommon but possible. The most common causes are infection (peri-implantitis), poor osseointegration, or excessive bite force. We monitor the implant at every review; if a failure looks likely, we'd refer back to the specialist to plan the next step — often removal, healing, and a second attempt.
Cost & funding
HICAPS on the spot for the restoration phase. If your health fund covers part of the crown, bridge or denture, we claim at the chair — you only pay the gap. The specialist's surgical fee is usually billed and paid separately to their clinic. Interest-free in-house payment plans are available for larger plans. ATO compassionate-release super funding is a legitimate option for severe cases — we can guide you through the paperwork. Full detail on Payment options.
Related services
Replacing a tooth?
Implants start with a consultation, imaging and an honest case plan. Book online or call to talk through what's involved first.