Dental Implants
Dental implants
in Murwillumbah.
Missing a tooth and tired of thinking about it every time you eat or smile? Dental implants are a long-term way to replace missing teeth with something that looks, feels and functions like your own. At Biltoft Dental we plan them honestly, price them transparently, and place them under local anaesthetic in our Murwillumbah practice.
The short version
A straight answer on dental implants
A dental implant is a titanium post placed into the jawbone, an abutment that screws into it, and a custom crown on top. The post replaces the root of the missing tooth; the crown replaces the visible bit. When it is planned properly and cared for afterwards, it behaves like a natural tooth.
I am Dr Daniel Johnston, the dentist at Biltoft. We are a small, family-run practice in Murwillumbah looking after patients from across the Tweed Valley — locals from Murwillumbah, Uki, Pottsville, Kingscliff and over the border. Implants are one of the treatments we do most often and also one of the most over-marketed in dentistry, so the purpose of this page is to give you a plain-language, honest account of what an implant actually is, what it costs, what it involves, and when it is — or is not — the right option for you.
If you have been quoted for an implant elsewhere and want a second opinion, or you are starting from scratch and want to understand what you are signing up for, reading this before your appointment will save us both time. For a shorter overview, we also have a general implants page.
Why it matters
A missing tooth is not just cosmetic
It is tempting to leave a gap alone, especially if it is out of sight. Here is what actually happens in the months and years afterwards, and why we usually recommend replacing missing teeth rather than ignoring them.
The jawbone shrinks
A natural tooth root stimulates the surrounding bone every time you chew. When a tooth is lost, that stimulus is gone, and the bone in that area begins to resorb. The effect is most pronounced in the first year. The longer a gap is left empty, the harder (and more expensive) future implant treatment becomes, because there is less bone to work with.
Neighbouring teeth drift
Teeth on either side of the gap tend to tip into the space, and the opposing tooth in the other jaw can over-erupt (drift down or up into the empty space). This changes the bite, creates food traps, and can stress the teeth that are now doing extra work.
Chewing and speech change
Even one missing molar shifts how you chew — often onto the other side, which wears that side faster. Missing front teeth can affect speech and confidence in ways patients do not always volunteer.
The face changes shape over time
When multiple teeth are missing and the underlying bone shrinks, the lower face can look shorter or more sunken. This is gradual and most noticeable where several teeth in the same area have been missing for years.
What it is
Three parts, in plain English
A lot of the confusion around implants comes from people treating them as a single "thing". They are actually three separate components that work together.
1. The implant (the post)
A small titanium screw that sits inside the jawbone and replaces the root of the tooth. Healthdirect Australia describes it simply as "a metal screw that is used in place of the root of your missing tooth." Titanium is used because human bone integrates with it biologically — a process called osseointegration.
2. The abutment (the connector)
A small component that screws onto the top of the implant and sticks up through the gum. It is the link between the buried post and the visible crown.
3. The crown (the tooth)
A custom-made ceramic crown, shaped and shaded to match the teeth either side of it. This is what you see and what you chew with. In some cases we use a screw-retained crown; in others, cement-retained. We pick whichever is better for your specific tooth and bite.
Am I a candidate?
Who implants are (and are not) for
Most healthy adults with enough jawbone are suitable for implants. That said, several factors change the risk profile enough that we want to know about them upfront.
Things that need planning, not deal-breakers on their own:
- Smoking. Smoking is a well-established risk factor for implant failure — it reduces blood flow to the gums, slows healing, and is associated with higher rates of peri-implantitis. We will ask you to stop or cut right back around the surgery and healing period.
- Uncontrolled diabetes. Healthdirect lists diabetes among the conditions that raise complication risk. Well-controlled diabetes is a different story and most patients proceed without issue — we will want recent HbA1c context.
- Osteoporosis and bisphosphonate medications. Some osteoporosis medications (particularly IV bisphosphonates and denosumab) can affect jawbone healing. Tell us about every medication and supplement at the assessment, not just the "dental" ones.
- Active gum disease. We need the gums stable before placing an implant. Treating periodontitis first is non-negotiable — placing an implant into diseased gums is setting it up to fail.
- Heavy clenching or grinding. Not a contraindication, but we will usually make you a nightguard to protect both natural teeth and the implant crown from fracture.
- Age under ~18. We generally wait until jaw growth has finished before placing implants in younger patients.
The only way to give you a proper answer is to examine your mouth and look at an x-ray. A consult is not a commitment — if you are not suitable, or there is a better option, we will tell you.
The process
What actually happens, in order
An implant is not a single appointment — it is a planned sequence of visits over a few months. Here is the realistic version.
Step 1 — Assessment and imaging (week 0)
A full exam, a conversation about your medical history and goals, an OPG x-ray (and often a CBCT 3D scan where we need more detail on bone volume and nerve position). We take photos, impressions or a digital scan, and sometimes a wax-up of the final tooth. From all of that, we produce a written plan and an itemised quote. Nothing is done on the day beyond planning.
Step 2 — Extraction or grafting, if needed (week 0–12)
If the tooth is still there and needs to come out, we may extract it and either place an implant immediately (in selected cases) or graft the socket to preserve bone and plan the implant later. If there is not enough bone, we graft first and let it heal for 3 to 6 months before placing the implant.
Step 3 — Implant placement (one visit, ~1 hour)
Done under local anaesthetic in the chair. A small incision in the gum, a carefully prepared socket in the bone, the titanium implant placed, and the gum closed with a few dissolving stitches. You go home the same day, with the same kind of recovery as a tooth extraction. You should not feel pain during the procedure.
Step 4 — Osseointegration (3–6 months)
This is the waiting part, and it cannot be rushed. Bone cells grow onto and around the implant, locking it in place. Healthdirect puts this at "about 3 months"; in the lower jaw it is often faster, in the upper jaw and after grafting it can be closer to 6. During this time you typically wear a temporary tooth or a gap — we discuss which at the planning stage.
Step 5 — Abutment and impression (1–2 visits)
Once the implant has integrated, we attach the abutment and take a precise impression or digital scan. This goes to a dental laboratory to make your final crown.
Step 6 — Crown fit (one visit)
The final crown is fitted, the bite is checked and adjusted, and you walk out chewing on it. This is usually the quickest appointment of the lot.
Step 7 — Review and maintenance
We see you for a review a few weeks after fit, then at your routine check-ups. Implants need the same care as natural teeth plus a little extra around the gum margin.
Bone grafting
When the jawbone needs rebuilding first
Bone grafting sounds more dramatic than it usually is. In most cases it is a small, predictable procedure to add volume where the jaw has shrunk.
When we assess an implant site, we are looking at three things: how tall the bone is, how wide it is, and how close important structures (the nerve in the lower jaw, the sinus floor in the upper jaw) are. If there is enough bone, we place the implant directly. If there is not, we graft.
Common situations where grafting is needed:
- A tooth has been missing for years and the ridge has narrowed. A small graft (often done at the same time as implant placement) rebuilds width.
- A tooth is being extracted now. We often graft the socket at the time of extraction to preserve bone for a future implant — much easier than rebuilding it years later.
- An upper back tooth site with a low sinus floor. A sinus lift adds bone height beneath the sinus so an implant can be placed safely.
- Larger defects from long-standing gum disease or trauma — these often call for a specialist referral rather than an in-house procedure.
Grafting material is usually a sterile processed bone substitute, sometimes combined with the patient's own bone. It is covered by a membrane and left to heal for 3 to 6 months before (or alongside) implant placement. We are honest about cost here — grafting adds to the quote, and we will tell you upfront whether we think you need it.
The alternatives
Implant vs bridge vs denture
An implant is not the only way to replace a missing tooth, and it is not always the best answer. Here is the honest comparison. A fuller write-up lives in our implant vs bridge vs denture article.
Implant
Closest thing to a natural tooth. Does not touch the teeth either side. Preserves the jawbone. Biggest upfront investment, longest timeline, best long-term outcome for most single-tooth gaps.
Bridge
A crown-and-false-tooth unit that is cemented onto the teeth either side of the gap. Quicker (usually 2 to 3 weeks), lower upfront cost than an implant, and good where the adjacent teeth already need crowns anyway. Downside: it involves cutting down otherwise healthy teeth, and it does not preserve the jawbone underneath.
Denture (partial or full)
Removable. Cheapest upfront, fastest to make, and the right answer when multiple teeth are missing or the budget is tight. Less stable than fixed options, needs to come out for cleaning, and can accelerate bone shrinkage over time. Implants can also be used to stabilise a denture ("implant-retained denture") where appropriate.
Which is right for you depends on your specific mouth, medical history, budget and timeline. We will lay out the options at your assessment and let you decide — there is no pressure to pick the most expensive one.
Recovery
What the weeks after placement feel like
Most patients are surprised by how unremarkable the recovery is. Here is what to plan for. Individual experience varies.
First 24 hours
The numbness wears off over 2 to 4 hours. Bite on the gauze we give you for 30 to 60 minutes to help the clot form. No vigorous rinsing, no smoking, no straws. Soft food and cold drinks. Ice pack on the cheek in 20-minute cycles for the first few hours to manage swelling. Most people take paracetamol and ibuprofen (if cleared) for the first day or two.
First week
Swelling typically peaks at 48 to 72 hours and then improves. Bruising on the cheek is normal and fades over 7 to 10 days. Gentle warm salt-water rinses from day 2. Soft foods for around 5 to 7 days. Most desk-based patients are back at work the next day or two; if your job is physical, allow a couple of days off.
Weeks 2–12 — the quiet part
The gum heals over in the first couple of weeks. After that, nothing much feels different — but underneath, the bone is slowly integrating with the implant. This is the part that cannot be hurried. Eat normally on the other side, keep the area clean, and do not smoke. We review along the way.
When to call us
Increasing pain after day 3, spreading swelling down the neck, fever, a bad taste that will not go away, numbness that has not returned 24 hours after surgery, or bleeding that does not slow with pressure. Any of those — ring us on (02) 6672 1980.
Transparent pricing
What it costs at Biltoft
We put the numbers on the website because nobody likes the "it depends, come in for a consult" dance. Here is the honest range, and what changes it.
Single dental implant — $5,000 to $6,000 per tooth
That figure covers the implant, abutment and crown, together with the planning, placement and follow-up appointments that go with them. It is the same number we quote whether you walked in off the street or were referred by another clinician.
What sits at the lower end ($5,000):
- Straightforward single tooth, good bone, no grafting
- Healthy gums and no extra planning complexity
What pushes it to the higher end ($6,000):
- More involved planning, additional imaging (e.g. CBCT)
- A small graft at the time of placement
- A more complex crown (e.g. screw-retained, aesthetic front tooth)
What costs extra (quoted separately after assessment):
- Larger bone grafts or sinus lifts
- Full arch restorations or multiple implants
- Extractions done in preparation for the implant
- Specialist referral where appropriate
Private health and HICAPS. We are a HICAPS provider, so we can claim on your major fund on the spot if your policy includes major dental. What you get back depends entirely on your fund, level of cover, item codes and annual limits — we do not know your rebate better than your fund does. Ring them with the item codes from your quote and ask for a "quotation" before committing. For a fuller breakdown, see our cost-of-implants article.
No hidden fees. The quote we give you after assessment is itemised and in writing. If something changes clinically — for example, we decide mid-treatment that a small graft is needed — we stop, explain, and quote it before doing it. Nothing is added to the bill without your knowledge.
No hard sell. We do not work on commission and we do not have a sales target for implants. If a simpler option (a bridge, a denture, or doing nothing and monitoring) is better for you, that is what we will say.
Prices current as of 2026. Individual results and costs vary by case.
Looking after it
Longevity and long-term care
A well-placed implant can last many years — often decades — if it is looked after. The failures we see in practice almost always come down to a handful of avoidable causes.
What kills implants:
- Gum disease around the implant (peri-implantitis). This is the implant-world equivalent of gum disease around a natural tooth. It causes bone loss around the post and is the most common cause of late implant failure. Controlled with the same things that control gum disease generally — good hygiene, regular cleans, early intervention.
- Poor home care. Implants do not get decay, but the gum around them absolutely gets inflamed. Brush twice a day, floss or use interdental brushes around the implant daily, and do not skip the bit where the crown meets the gum.
- Smoking. Long-term smoking is strongly associated with peri-implantitis and late failure.
- Skipping check-ups. We want to see implant patients every 6 months so we can catch small problems while they are still small. Bone loss you cannot feel is the kind of thing a dentist can see on an x-ray.
- Heavy grinding without a nightguard. The crown on top can chip or the screw can loosen if the forces are consistently high. A nightguard protects both your implant and everything else.
Biologically, osseointegrated titanium has a strong track record — Healthdirect notes that "dental implants are usually successful." The long-term literature on modern implants is broadly reassuring, though specific percentages vary by study, patient and site. We will not quote you a made-up number — what we will say is that the patients we see doing well long-term are the ones who clean around their implant the same way they clean their natural teeth, and show up for their check-ups.
Why Biltoft
A local Murwillumbah practice, doing this properly
We are a small, family-run general practice in Murwillumbah — not a high-volume implant centre. That matters in a few ways that might matter to you.
- We do the planning ourselves. The person examining you, reading your x-rays and sitting with you to talk it through is the same person placing the implant. Not handed between a "consultant" and a "surgeon" you have never met.
- No hard sell. If an implant is not the right answer — too much bone loss, medical factors, budget, or a simpler option that does the job — we will say so. We have no incentive to talk you into something.
- Honest about referrals. Our scope is single and straightforward multi-unit implants under local anaesthetic. For full-arch ("all-on-four"), complex grafting, IV sedation or GA cases, we refer to specialists in Tweed/Gold Coast who are set up for those cases. We would rather send you to the right person than stretch beyond where we should.
- Transparent pricing. The numbers are on this page. Your quote is itemised and in writing before any treatment begins.
- Local. If something needs reviewing at week 3, you are driving 5 minutes, not an hour to the coast.
If you have been missing a tooth for years and just put up with it, or you have a failing tooth and are weighing your options, we are happy to sit down and talk through what makes sense for your mouth and your situation — with no pressure to book anything on the day.
For other treatments, see our pages on wisdom teeth removal and Invisalign, or read more on the implants blog and our article on bone grafting for implants.
FAQs
Questions people usually ask
How much does a dental implant cost at Biltoft?
A single dental implant at Biltoft Dental ranges from $5,000 to $6,000 per tooth. That figure covers the implant, the abutment, and the final crown, together with the planning appointments and follow-ups that go with them. Cases that need bone grafting, sinus lifts, multiple implants or full-arch restorations cost more and are quoted individually after assessment. We write it all down for you, itemised, so there are no surprises. Individual results and costs vary.
How long does the whole process take?
Plan on around 3 to 6 months from start to finish for a straightforward single implant. The implant itself is placed in one visit under local anaesthetic. After that it needs time for the bone to grow around it — Healthdirect Australia puts that at about 3 months. Once osseointegration is confirmed, we fit the final crown on top. Cases needing bone grafting take longer because the graft has to heal before the implant can be placed.
Do you offer sleep dentistry or general anaesthetic for implants?
No. At Biltoft we place implants under local anaesthetic only — no in-house IV sedation or general anaesthetic. For most single implants that is genuinely all that is needed. If your case calls for IV sedation or GA — for example, multiple implants, significant grafting, or severe dental anxiety that local alone will not settle — we refer you to a specialist oral surgeon or prosthodontist who is set up for it. Doing it this way keeps cost down for the patients who do not need sedation, and keeps us inside our scope for the ones who do.
Am I a candidate for a dental implant?
Most healthy adults with enough bone in the jaw are suitable. Healthdirect Australia notes that certain conditions increase complication risk — including uncontrolled diabetes, osteoporosis, bleeding disorders, active gum disease and some medications (particularly bisphosphonates). Smoking is a well-known risk factor for implant failure. None of these are automatic disqualifiers, but they shape the plan. The honest answer comes from an assessment and an x-ray, not a web page.
What if I do not have enough bone?
Bone loss is common, especially if a tooth has been missing for a long time — the jawbone shrinks without a tooth root stimulating it. Bone grafting can rebuild the ridge so an implant can be placed safely. If we think you need grafting, we say so at the assessment, explain what it involves, quote it honestly, and give you the choice. For larger or complex grafts we refer to a specialist.
How long do dental implants last?
With good home care and regular check-ups, a well-placed implant can last many years — often decades. The titanium post itself is designed to be permanent; the crown on top may need replacing after 15 to 20 years of function, like any dental restoration. What kills implants is the same thing that kills natural teeth: gum disease, poor hygiene, and smoking. Individual results vary and no outcome is guaranteed.
Is getting an implant painful?
During placement, no — the area is fully numb with local anaesthetic and you should only feel pressure. Afterwards, most patients describe it as similar to having a tooth out — manageable with paracetamol and ibuprofen, usually less than they were expecting. Swelling peaks at 48 to 72 hours and then settles. We send you home with a printed aftercare sheet and our number.
Do I need a referral to come in?
No referral needed. Call (02) 6672 1980 or book online and we will arrange an assessment. If you already have a recent OPG x-ray or CBCT from another dentist, bring it — it may save you the cost of repeating imaging.
Next step
Book an honest assessment
If you want an unhurried look at what is going on, a realistic plan, and a written quote to take home — book in. No pressure to commit on the day.
Any invasive or surgical procedure carries risks. Individual results vary. The information on this page is general in nature and is not a substitute for a clinical assessment. Before proceeding, seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
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