Frequently Asked Questions

All-On-Implants is suitable for patients with missing, heavily damaged, or failing teeth who want a fixed alternative to dentures. It is also ideal for many patients with bone loss where the teeth have moved over time and where orthodontics is not an option. A consultation with one of our surgeons will help you chose what is the best solution for you.

Unlike traditional dental implants that may require one implant per tooth, All-On-Implants uses normally four implants per arch, often avoiding the need for bone grafting and reducing treatment time.

Yes! Most patients receive a fixed initial set of teeth within 48-72 hours after the implant surgery, allowing you to return to normal life quickly.

The procedure is normally carried out under general anaesthetic or heavy sedation, so you are not aware of what is going on at all. Most patients report minimal discomfort, which we help you manage with some medications during your recovery. After surgery it is important to arrange a ride home with a loved one as you will feel a bit sleepy as you rest and recover that day.

We realise many kiwis have sever anxiety from bad dental experiences. We are here to make you feel at home – think of us as your friendly, understanding, and caring dental team. If the very thought of dental treatment makes you jittery, breathe easy knowing we use general anaesthetic for our procedures (providing your health allows for it), ensuring a smooth, comfortable, and worry-free experience from start to finish. That’s something to consider when comparing us to other providers.

The surgical phase is completed in one day. The temporary fixed teeth are fitted within 48-72 hours. The final custom-made teeth are usually fitted after a healing period of around 4–6 months.

With good oral hygiene and regular dental care, the implants can last many years, often decades. The prosthetic teeth (the parts on top of the implants) may require replacement over time due to normal wear and tear.

All-On-Implants have a very high long-term success rate, with clinical studies reporting success rates of approximately 96–98%. Dr Philpott’s long term success rate is just over 99%.

In most cases, major bone grafting is not required. We use proven surgical methods and specially designed implants to allow us to skip a lot of the complex grafting process, and this allows for maximum use of your existing bone. Your surgeon will advise once a full examination has been carried out.

A soft diet is essential during the initial 4 month healing phase. This is anything that you can break with the side of your fork – think soft chicken, fish, pasta, rice. You will gradually return to a normal diet after 4 months when the bone has fully healed around the implants and your surgeon advises that it is safe to eat normally.

Daily brushing, flossing, water flossing, and 6 monthly professional dental hygiene visits are essential to maintain healthy implants and gums. For more information click here.

No. All-On-Implants teeth are fixed in place and can only be removed by your dentist for maintenance or repairs.

Yes. The teeth are custom-designed to suit your face, smile, and bite, providing a natural appearance and comfortable function. You can chose your shade as well as some other characteristics with the advice of your dentist.

It may have been a while since you had most of your natural teeth, so feeling a new row of teeth in your mouth will be something new and may need some adjustment to get used to. But in a short time your bridge of teeth will start to feel like your own again. Our design checks and processes as we work towards your final long term teeth allows us to make tweaks and changes along the way, giving you full control of the final result.

While uncommon, implant failure can occur. Risk factors include smoking, poor oral hygiene, certain medical conditions, and inadequate bone healing. Looking after them at home and with professional cleaning and check ups will help avoid this.

Smoking increases the risk of implant complications and failure. Patients are strongly encouraged to stop smoking before and after treatment for best results.

The temporary teeth may be made from high-quality acrylic materials. The long term final teeth are made from zirconia which is a high strength ceramic. Material options vary slightly depending on your treatment plan and preferences, your dentist will help determine what is best for you.

The cost varies depending on individual needs, materials used, and complexity of treatment. A personalised consultation is required for accurate pricing. Please see our pricing tab for general pricing estimates.

Many patients prefer All-On-Implants over dentures because the teeth are fixed, more stable, more comfortable, and allow for improved chewing and confidence. You can read more on this by clicking here.

Most patients return to normal daily activities within a few days. Full healing and implant integration take place over 4 months. We normally recommend taking the week off work to allow for rest and recovery while you wait the few days to have your new teeth fitted and then get used to your smile. Your surgeon can help explain more about this.

As with any surgical procedure, risks may include swelling, infection, or implant complications. These risks are low and are carefully managed by your dental team with regular reviews and follow up which we include as part of our packages.

The answer depends on what you specifically need for the best smile possible. Your surgeon will tailor everything to fit you perfectly – whether that’s 4, 5, or even 6 implants per jaw. We use 3D CBCT scans to plan your entire procedure, and this way can ensure the best result. Often only 4 implants are needed in the lower jaw. Sometimes in the upper we require 4, 5, or 6 for the best result.