Services » General Cosmetic » Implants
Dental Implants
The implant option
Implants are an excellent option for replacing one or more lost teeth. Implants look and feel as close to your natural teeth as possible. They are described as a replacement root with a crown placed on top. Implants are also used to hold dentures in place.
Types of implants
The two main types of dental implants are conventional (full) implants and mini implants. There are advantages to each type of implant. For example, mini implants are less costly and require minimal healing time, however they are new, have limited applications and no long-term studies have been performed. Full implants are a proven solution that has been used for over 25 years, but have a three to six month healing period. Please ask your Lumino clinician which implant solution is best for you.
What is the procedure?
The first step is fitting your titanium or titanium alloy implants. The second step is fitting the connection or replica tooth or denture to the implant. With mini implants, the replica tooth or removable denture can sometimes be fitted to the implant immediately. With conventional implants, the implants usually require time to fuse with the jaw bone. Once healed, the connection and replica tooth or removable denture is fitted.
Replacement teeth
Your clinician will ensure that the replacement tooth blends with your existing teeth and your natural look is retained. Each replacement tooth will function as your original tooth did. It will feel natural, be easy to clean and will remain stable when you are eating and talking. Unlike a crown or bridge fitting, no grinding of adjacent teeth will be required during placement.
Which teeth can be restored?
Both front and back teeth can be restored. Front teeth influence your appearance, therefore implants for the front teeth can be designed to give you a new look. Their mechanical function will be incorporated into their design by your clinician.
Your back teeth are less important to your appearance, but their mechanical function is very important. As such, the implants and replica teeth are designed accordingly.
Who can carry out this procedure?
A number of Lumino dentists are qualified and experienced in the placement of implants. Scroll down to see the profiles of some of Lumino's leading implant experts. This same clinician may also fit the replica tooth, but sometimes another Lumino dentist will place the replica tooth. In the case of dentures, your Lumino clinical technician will fit your dentures to the implants.
What are the risks of this surgery?
All surgical procedures have risks. You may develop an infection post-surgery, which may delay healing. There is also a slight risk of nerve damage. Your Lumino clinician will advise you of the degree of risk for you.
Implant Solutions
Replacement of a single front tooth.
. Replacement of multiple front teeth.
Replacement of single or multiple back teeth
Before: Lumino The Dentists Proudmouth,
Auckland patient.
After: Implant supported bridge. Treatment by
Lead Dentist Dr Robert Shearman from Lumino
The Dentists Proudmouth, Auckland.
Lumino The Dentists Implantologists
Dr Adam Doudney, Lumino The Dentists Orewa
Dr Adam Doudney graduated from Otago Dental School in 1993 and worked as a dental house surgeon in Otago Dental School and Dunedin Public Hospital, followed by working in the Australian Public Hospital sector. He has been working as a private dental surgeon in Orewa, Auckland since 1996. His interest in implants started in 2006 and has now become one of the leading mini implantologists in NZ.
He currently writes implant articles for well known dental magazine "Australasian Dental Practice", helping educate dentists about mini implant treatment in Australasia. Also presenter to dentists about mini implants in the annual Lumino conference.
Dr Doudney has been restoring conventional implants since the 1990's however started also offering the implant surgery for conventional implants in 2008; this allows him to be able to provide conventional implant treatment at a lower fee for patients.
Dr Christian Blaschke, Lumino The Dentists Manly
Dr Christian Blaschke graduated form the University Of Giessen, Germany in 1997 and finished his postgraduate Doctorate in Dental Prothodontics in 2000. After having worked in private practice focusing on dental implants, he immigrated to New Zealand in 2000 and shortly after founded Manly Dental Care. In 2008 he joined Lumino The Dentists, as lead dentist for Manly Dental Care.
Dr Blaschke has extensively lectured in New Zealand as well as overseas including as a guest lecturer at the University Of Los Angeles, USA.
Since 2002, Dr Blaschke has been employed as Consultant for clinical research by Z-systems Australasia and has published several articles mainly concerning with the use of zirconia ceramics in dental implantology. At present, Dr Blaschke is the only trainer for full ceramic dental implants in New Zealand and Australia.
Dr Blaschke also maintains part time practices in Canberra and Melbourne limited to dental implantology, in addition to his position as lead dentist for Manly Dental Care.
Dr Zoran Kostic, Lumino The Dentists Henderson
Dr Zoran Kostic graduated in 1984 with a DDS degree in Yugoslavia and went straight into practicing general dentistry until 1990, when he became a specialist in maxillofacial surgery.
As well as being head of maxillofacial surgery for the hospital Zoran was also assistant professor in faculty of dentistry in Pristina, Yugoslavia. This included supervising and mentoring post graduate students.
In 1999 Zoran immigrated to New Zealand and joined the Henderson practice in 2001 where he is Lead dentist. He has special dental interests in cosmetic dentistry, crowns on site using CAD-CAM technology E4D and previous Cerec, implants and oral surgery.
Dr Kevan Wong, City Dental On The Park, Tauranga
Kevan is the lead dentist at City Dental On The Park. He is a graduate of Otago University, Bachelor of Science in 1972, and Bachelor of Dental Surgery in 1976. He has had broad experience Oral and maxillofacial surgery in both hospital and private sector dental practice in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
Kevan has a special interest in dental implants and reconstructive dentistry. After completing his Masters degree program at University College London in 1997 he progressed to graduate with a Doctorate in Implantology in 2000. He has developed special expertise in bone grafting and implant bone physiology and microanatomy.
In 2000 Kevan was awarded the Research Fellowship by Dunhill Medical Research Trust London to study the effects of biofilms on implant surfaces. He was also the recipient of the Research Fellowship by Dunhill Medical Research Trust London to study the effects of Manuka Honey on Wound Healing and implant biofilms.
Kevan has lectured on Implant treatment for The Association of Dental Implantology congresses and short courses. In 1998, Kevan developed ‘hands on’ implant training courses for dental practitioners, entitled ‘A First Practical Approach to Dental Implants’, in the U.K. which were attended by many general practitioners and oral surgeons from throughout the U.K.
Dr Andrew Brown, Lumino The Dentists Burton & Brown
Dr Andrew Brown is an experienced and well regarded dentist in the Wellington area. He graduated from the University of Otago School of Dentistry in 1988 and joined Lumino in 2007.
Andrew enjoys the daily opportunities of applying highly technical science to resolve everyday physical problems. He has an interest in dental implants, children’s dentistry and cosmetic dentistry. Andrew regularly attends implant and cosmetic conferences in Wellington and nationwide.
Dr John Burton, Lumino The Dentists Burton & Brown
Dr John Burton is a highly regarded dentist in the Wellington area and is highly qualified and trained in general and cosmetic dentistry. He graduated from Otago in 1977 and is currently furthering his studies with a Diploma of Dental Implantology.
John tries to keep his approach light-hearted so his patients have some fun and feel at ease. He has a special interest in gum health, dental implants, restoring very worn mouths and Invisalign (invisible braces).
Nick Tramoundanas, Lumino The Dentists Miramar
Dr Nick Tramoundanas established the Miramar Dental Health Centre in 1979 and has enjoyed his association with the people of Miramar for 30 years.
Nick graduated from the University of Otago with a biochemistry degree in 1975, then as a Dental Surgeon in 1979. Nick has been president, treasurer, complaints officer and a committee member of the Wellington branch of the NZDA since 1992. He is also a visiting lecturer at the University of Otago.
Nick's interests are in all-ceramic restorative dentistry, especially with respect to CAD/CAM systems (Cerec), and implant dentistry with the use of computer systems to place immediate restorations. He is involved with Cerec groups worldwide, and is also a Certified Cerec Trainer. Nick has a great sense of humour, and he enjoys keeping up to date with the latest dental techniques and technology.
