That’s our simple philosophy — and it guides everything we do at Southern Dental Specialists & Implant Centre.
No, you do not need a referral to book in your initial consultation with us and all patients are welcome. We’re always happy to sit down for a chat with you about your needs and how we can get you on your way to the smile you deserve.
Your comprehensive consultation usually takes about an hour and always starts with a friendly conversation. We’ll chat with you about your dental history and what you’re hoping to improve, fix or change in your smile. We always take the time to listen to what you really want so we can ensure we’re both on the same page from day one and help you achieve the best result possible.
Next, we’ll complete a comprehensive examination of your mouth and oral health, and capture some high-resolution images of your teeth and smile. This will assist with accurate diagnosis and help us to tailor your treatment to best suit your individual needs. If required, we’ll also gather additional information such as 3D x-rays and CT scans.
We’ll also talk you through your treatment options, including the benefits and drawbacks of each, to help you make a more informed decision about the best way forward. We’ll then put together your customised treatment plan with all the costs outlined and explain every step of your treatment journey so you’ll know exactly what to expect from start to finish.
If you have a referral, please bring it along with you to your initial consultation. If you have had any oral x-rays within the last 12 months, please let us know prior to your appointment so we can arrange to have them forwarded to our practice before your consultation.
A prosthodontist is a type of dental specialist that specialises in the reconstruction and restoration of broken or missing teeth for function and aesthetics. A prosthodontist must undertake an additional three years of advanced University training in complex dental rehabilitation beyond undergraduate dental studies to become a board certified Prosthodontic Specialist. This type of dental specialist can manage dental issues such as severely broken down teeth, terminal teeth, missing teeth, bite issues and bruxism. They also have special training in rebuilding and restoring teeth. General dentists will typically refer their more complex cases to a prosthodontist.
Dr Arun Thangavel and Dr Charlie Rowda are the two prosthodontists on the team at Southern Dental Specialists & Implant Centre.
An endodontist is a qualified dentist who has undertaken an additional three years of University training in root canal treatment. If a general dentist has a patient who requires a more complex root canal treatment, such as teeth at the back of the mouth and not easily accessible or teeth with many roots like molars, they will typically refer the case on to an endodontist.
Dr Deepak Chellappa is our resident endodontist at Southern Dental Specialists & Implant Centre.
We certainly can. Over the years, we’ve seen and treated many anxious and dental-phobic patients so we understand how distressing the thought of dental work can be. But the good news is that we’ve also got a number of tried and tested methods for easing your anxiety and making your treatment as smooth as possible.
At Southern Dental Specialists & Implant Centre, we offer a few different types of sedation, including IV sedation, which can help you feel much more calm and comfortable during your treatment. Plus, we’ve also got dedicated sedation recovery rooms where you can relax after your procedure.
Every smile is unique — so every treatment plan we create will be uniquely tailored to suit the needs of each patient. This means our treatment costs will vary from case-to-case and cannot be provided until we have a confirmed treatment pathway for you. But our consultation fee is the same for every patient: $300.
When you visit us for your initial consultation, we’ll discuss your treatment options in detail and provide you with an estimate of the costs involved to achieve your desired outcome. In some cases, you may have multiple treatment options, allowing you to make the decision that best suits your needs and budget.
Before we begin any treatment, you will receive a detailed and itemised treatment plan so you’ll know exactly how much it will cost in total. This quote is 100% transparent and all-inclusive, meaning no hidden fees or nasty financial surprises down the track.
Yes. We believe that specialist dental care should be accessible to all patients. That’s why we offer a range of payment plans and finance options to suit your budget.
Your private health insurance may cover a portion of the costs of some specialist treatments, depending on your policy inclusions and the level of coverage you have. We recommend that you present your itemised treatment plan to your health insurer before committing to any treatment for clarification on the cover you are eligible for.