Dental implants in New Zealand
Compare dentists and oral surgeons practising in New Zealand, registered with the Dental Council of New Zealand.
What dental implants involves
A dental implant is a titanium or zirconia screw placed into the jawbone to replace a missing tooth root, with a custom crown attached on top once the implant has integrated. A typical pathway includes a consultation and CBCT scan, a surgical placement appointment, a 3–6 month osseointegration period, and a final crown fitting. Some patients are candidates for immediate-load implants placed and crowned at the same visit; others need preparatory work such as bone grafting or sinus lift.
Consultation length: Initial consultations and CBCT planning take 60–90 minutes; surgical placement 60–90 minutes per implant; crown fitting 30–60 minutes.
Follow-up: Most patients are reviewed at 1 week, 1 month and at 3–6 months for osseointegration assessment, with annual reviews thereafter to check the gum, bone and crown. Implants typically last 15–25+ years with good oral hygiene.
Common conditions dentists and oral surgeons treat
- replacement of a single missing tooth
- multiple missing teeth bridged by implant-supported prosthetics
- full-arch replacement (All-on-4 or All-on-6)
- replacement of a failing tooth requiring extraction
- denture-supporting implants for stability
- reconstruction after trauma (often partly funded under ACC)
Cost & ACC funding
Typical fees: $3,500–$6,500 per single implant; $25,000–$45,000 per arch (All-on-4). A single dental implant in New Zealand typically costs $3,500–$6,500 inclusive of consultation, surgery and crown. CBCT imaging is usually $200–$500. Bone grafting adds $500–$2,000. All-on-4 full-arch reconstruction costs $25,000–$45,000 per arch. Most New Zealand health insurers (Southern Cross, nib) cover part of the implant cost under specific plan limits — confirm before booking.
ACC cover: ACC funds dental implants when the tooth loss is the result of an accepted injury. Cosmetic and disease-related implants (decay, periodontal disease) are not ACC-funded. Some surgical complications are covered under treatment-injury cover.
Choosing a dentist or oral surgeon
Dentist or oral surgeon services in New Zealand are a regulated dental procedure in New Zealand. Every dentist and oral and maxillofacial surgeon practising must hold an Annual Practising Certificate from the Dental Council of New Zealand. Implant placement is generally performed by general dentists with implant training, by periodontists, or by oral and maxillofacial surgeons.
Verify the practitioner on the Dental Council of New Zealand register and check their scope of practice. General dentists placing implants should hold postgraduate implant qualifications or extensive structured training; periodontists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons hold formal specialist registration. Ask how many implants they place per year, what implant system they use, and what is included in the quoted fee — some quotes exclude the crown or imaging.
Verify any practitioner on the public register at dcnz.org.nz before booking.
Dental implants in your city
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Plan your dental implants treatment
Related care
Other health services frequently considered alongside dental implants:
Find dental implants in your city
City-specific clinic listings, pricing and funding options:
Some smaller-city variants link to the closest main centre where no dedicated providers exist locally.
Dental implants: questions
Do I need a referral for dental implants?
No — most New Zealand dentists and specialist clinics accept self-referrals for implant consultations. Your existing dentist may write a referral if they want to provide background and imaging.
Are dental implants covered by ACC?
ACC funds dental implants when the tooth loss is the result of an accepted injury. Cosmetic and disease-related implants are not ACC-funded.
How long does the dental implant process take?
A typical conventional implant pathway takes 4–6 months from initial consultation to final crown — the osseointegration period accounts for most of this. Immediate-load implants can be completed in 1–2 days for suitable patients but are not appropriate for everyone.
How long do dental implants last?
Studies report 90–95% implant survival at 10 years and 85–90% at 20 years for well-maintained implants in suitable candidates. Smoking, uncontrolled diabetes and poor oral hygiene reduce these rates.