Dental Implants Greenwich

A missing back tooth can mean chewing on one side for years without really noticing. A gap near the front is harder to ignore, and a lower denture that lifts while you eat can take the enjoyment out of a meal. Whatever the reason for the space, there is usually more than one way to fill it. St Leonards Green Dental offers dental implants for Greenwich patients from our clinic on Christie Street, just over the Pacific Highway in the same 2065 postcode.

An implant is a small titanium post that our dentist places into the jaw where a tooth root used to be. After the surrounding bone has bonded to it, the post can carry a crown, a bridge or a denture. Whether it is the right choice for your gap depends on your bone, gums, general health and what you want from treatment, so every plan starts with a thorough assessment.

Many people start thinking about implants only after hearing that a tooth cannot be kept. Common reasons include a crack running down into the root, a heavily filled tooth that has broken apart, a root-filled tooth that has become reinfected, or advanced gum disease that has loosened a tooth beyond repair.

Where it is predictable, keeping your natural tooth is generally preferred, and root canal treatment or a crown may be worth exploring first. If removal is the better option, planning ahead can make the next steps smoother. Depending on the site, the dentist may discuss how to protect the bone after the extraction, how long to wait before placing an implant and what temporary tooth you can wear in the meantime so you are not left with a visible gap.

Greenwich has a settled, slightly older population than Sydney as a whole, and many long-term residents have worn partial or full dentures for years. Over time, the gum ridge under a denture can shrink, which is one reason a denture that once fitted well may start to rock, rub or need more adhesive.

For some denture wearers, two or more implants can act as anchors that hold the denture more firmly while eating and speaking. Clip-in designs can still be taken out for cleaning, while fixed designs stay in place and are removed only by the dentist. Not everyone has enough bone for this approach, and a well-made new denture or a reline may be the simpler answer. Our team also makes dentures, so you can compare both paths at one consultation.

Your first visit focuses on gathering information. The dentist looks at the gap, your remaining teeth, your bite and the health of your gums. Digital X-rays and a panoramic image help show how much bone is available and where nerves and sinuses sit. We will also ask about medications, past surgery and general health.

If gum disease, decay or an infected tooth is found, that is usually treated before any implant work begins. You then receive a written plan setting out the proposed steps, the number of appointments and an itemised estimate.

On the day of placement, local anaesthetic numbs the area. The dentist makes a small opening in the gum and fits the implant into the bone. The site is then left to heal while the bone grows around the implant, which commonly takes a few months. Once the implant is stable, an impression or scan is taken, and the final crown, bridge or denture is made by our partner laboratory and fitted.

Some cases need extra steps such as bone grafting, and some are better managed by an oral surgeon or periodontist. If that applies to you, we will explain why and arrange a referral.

Dental implant placement is a surgical procedure and carries possible risks. Our dentist will discuss the proposed process, alternatives, expected healing and aftercare before treatment begins.

Implants are generally suited to adults whose jaw growth is complete. Teenagers and young adults with a missing tooth are often given a temporary solution until that point.

For adults, age matters less than overall oral and general health. Good gum health and enough bone at the site are important. Smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, some medications that affect bone, and a history of radiotherapy to the head or neck can all influence healing and long-term outcomes. Heavy grinding or clenching can also place extra force on a restoration. Telling us about these factors early helps the dentist assess risk honestly and may change the type of treatment recommended.

Most people feel some tenderness, swelling or mild bruising for a few days after placement. Simple pain relief, as advised by your dentist, is usually enough. Soft foods, avoiding chewing directly on the site and gentle rinsing as instructed help the area settle.

Many patients plan placement for a Thursday or Friday so they can rest over the weekend, and some return to desk-based work the next day. Our team will give you written aftercare instructions and a number to call. Please contact us promptly if swelling increases after the first few days, bleeding does not settle, or you develop a fever or worsening pain.

An implant crown cannot decay, but the gum and bone around it can still become inflamed if plaque builds up. This condition, called peri-implantitis, is one of the main reasons implants run into trouble years later.

Brushing twice a day and cleaning around the implant with interdental brushes, floss, or a water flosser helps prevent it. Regular check-ups and professional cleans let us monitor the gum, bone level and bite. The crown or denture on top may wear or chip over time and need repair or replacement, even when the implant beneath stays firm. Book an appointment if anything feels loose or your bite feels different.

The total cost depends on how many implants are needed, the type of restoration, imaging and any additional procedures such as grafting. A single implant with a crown is priced very differently from implants supporting a full denture.

St Leonards Green Dental currently offers dental implants from $3,999. Please contact us to confirm what this price covers, whether it applies to your case and whether the offer is still current. Additional costs may apply for some treatment plans.

Payment plans are available through Zip Money, SuperCare and Humm, subject to approval and provider fees. Private health extras cover may contribute toward some stages of treatment, depending on your policy. Ask your fund about the item numbers on your written estimate.

St Leonards Green Dental has been caring for the Lower North Shore since 2008. Principal dentist Dr Nazila Nosratieh took over the practice in 2019 and has more than 20 years of clinical experience. She holds a Doctor of Dental Surgery and a PhD in Oral Biology.

Planning is supported by digital radiography, an in-house panoramic X-ray and magnifying loupes. Crowns, bridges and dentures are made with a local certified laboratory whose technicians have more than three decades of experience and use Australian-made materials.

Because we provide general care, gum treatment, extractions, dentures and implants under one roof, the same team can often look after you from the first check-up to the final fitting and follow-up reviews. Many of our patients have been coming to us for years, and some families have brought three generations through the practice.

Our clinic is inside the Medical Centre at Level 1, Tower 2, 88 Christie Street, St Leonards NSW 2065, across the road from Royal North Shore Hospital.

From Greenwich, the drive up Greenwich Road and across the Pacific Highway usually takes around five to ten minutes, depending on traffic. For homes near River Road and the Pacific Highway, the clinic may be within walking distance. Buses run along Greenwich Road between Greenwich Point and St Leonards Station, which is a short walk from our door. Routes and timetables can change, so check the Transport for NSW Trip Planner before you travel.

If you are having sedation, please arrange for someone to drive you home. We are open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, with Saturday appointments by arrangement.

Greenwich occupies a leafy peninsula on Sydney’s Lower North Shore, around seven kilometres from the city, within the Lane Cove Council area. It is bounded by the Lane Cove River to the west and Gore Creek to the east, with the Pacific Highway and St Leonards to the north.

Residents enjoy the cafés and shops of the village on Greenwich Road, swims at Greenwich Baths on Albert Street during the warmer months, and foreshore walks around Greenwich Point, where the ferry stops. Greenwich Public School and Greenwich Hospital are both on River Road.

Alongside Greenwich, our clinic sees patients from Artarmon, Willoughby, Northbridge, Cammeray, North Sydney, and Neutral Bay.

* Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

Living with a gap or a loose denture is common, but it is worth knowing what your options are. A consultation can show whether you are a good candidate for implants or whether a bridge, denture or other treatment would suit you better.

Contact St Leonards Green Dental to discuss dental implants for Greenwich patients and request an individual assessment. You can book online or call 02 9438 4352.