Your Guide to Dental Implants at Applecross House
At Applecross House, we offer a full range of dental treatments in Matamata, delivered by a friendly, experienced team who keep your comfort front and centre. If you’re missing one tooth, several teeth, or even a full arch, dental implants are a long-lasting, reliable way to rebuild your smile—both function and appearance.
Why replace missing teeth?
Gaps don’t just change how your smile looks. They can affect speech, chewing efficiency and bite balance, and allow neighbouring teeth to drift, creating misalignment and uneven wear. Without a tooth root in place, the jawbone can gradually shrink (bone resorption), which may alter facial shape and make future treatment more complex. Implants help preserve bone by acting like artificial roots, maintaining the stimulation your jawbone needs to stay healthy.
What exactly is a dental implant?
An implant is a small titanium post placed into the jawbone to replace a natural root. Over several months it fuses with the bone (a process called osseointegration), creating a stable base for a crown, bridge, or implant-retained denture. Implant-supported teeth are designed to look, feel and function like natural teeth—so you can smile, talk and eat with confidence.
Who is a good candidate?
Most healthy adults are suitable for implants. We’ll assess:
• General and oral health, gum condition, and hygiene habits
• Bone volume and density at the implant site
• Your goals (single tooth, multiple teeth, or full-arch solutions)
If required, we can discuss bone grafting or sinus lift to create the support an implant needs.
Our step-by-step implant process
1) Examination, CBCT & TRIOS 5 digital scan
We begin with a comprehensive exam and digital X-rays, followed by a CBCT 3D scan and a TRIOS 5 intraoral scan.
• CBCT (Cone Beam CT): produces clear 3D images of bone, nerves and surrounding anatomy—far beyond a standard X-ray—so we can plan safely and precisely.
• TRIOS 5 scan: a quick, comfortable 3D digital impression that captures the exact shape, size and shade of your teeth for accurate planning and lifelike restorations—no messy impression materials.
2) Digital planning
Using specialised software, your dentist maps the exact position, depth and angle for each implant, choosing sites with the best bone support and ideal bite alignment. If needed, we plan any bone grafting at the same time to ensure long-term stability.
3) Surgical guide fabrication
We design and manufacture a custom surgical guide—a template that fits over your teeth or gums and marks precisely where and at what angle to place each implant. This improves accuracy, efficiency and minimal invasiveness.
4) Implant placement (the surgery)
Under local anaesthetic (with sedation available for anxious patients), we place the implant(s) through a small gum opening and secure them in position. If you have an existing partial plate, or we’ve planned a temporary solution (e.g., a suck-down splint), we’ll provide that so you can smile comfortably during healing.
5) Healing & osseointegration (4–6 months)
The implant and bone bond together, creating a strong foundation. We’ll give you a simple post-op care guide and review you periodically. Good oral hygiene and sticking to our advice help everything heal smoothly.
6) Abutment placement
Once integration is confirmed (typically at 3–6 months), we attach a small connector called an abutment to the implant. This is the base onto which your new tooth—or teeth—will be fitted.
7) Final restoration
We take a precise digital impression (often with TRIOS 5) and craft your restoration: a single crown, bridge or implant-retained denture. Some crowns can be made in-house; others are created by our laboratory partners. When it’s ready, we fit and refine the bite so it feels natural from day one.
What makes Applecross House different?
• Advanced 3D diagnostics: CBCT and TRIOS 5 scanning for detail-rich planning and comfortable impressions.
• Guided implant surgery: custom surgical guides support accurate placement and minimally invasive techniques.
• Tailored options: single-tooth through to full-arch solutions, including implant-retained dentures for stability without adhesives.
• Comfort-first care: local anaesthetic as standard, with sedation available; clear instructions before and after treatment.
• A friendly, experienced team: we explain each step in plain language, discuss costs up front, and schedule at a pace that suits you.
Caring for your dental implant
Dental implants are designed to last many years, but they still require care:
• Brush and floss daily (or use interdental brushes/water flossers around the abutment).
• Six-monthly check-ups and hygiene visits to protect the tissues around the implant.
• A nightguard may be recommended if you clench or grind.
• Avoid smoking, which can compromise healing and long-term success.
FAQs
How long does the whole process take?
Most cases take 4–6 months from placement to final crown; full-arch or grafting cases may take longer. We’ll map out your personal timeline at your consultation.
Will I be without a tooth during healing?
We can usually provide a temporary option (e.g., a partial or a short-term aesthetic solution) while the implant integrates.
Do implants hurt?
Placement is completed under local anaesthetic; most patients describe mild post-op soreness for a day or two, managed with simple analgesics and our aftercare plan.
Are implants safe?
Dental implants have been used for decades with excellent success when placed and maintained properly. We’ll check your overall health and tailor the plan to you.
Ready to explore implants in Matamata?
Dental implants can restore your smile, your bite and your confidence. If you’re considering a single replacement tooth or a full-arch solution, our team at Applecross House is here to make your journey easy and comfortable—from first scan to final smile.
Book a FREE dental implant consultation today to discover whether implants are right for you and receive a clear, personalised treatment plan.