Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We understand that dentistry can cause some patients to be anxious, but we pride ourselves on being gentle and understanding. We are here to support you and your needs, and you can expect to receive exceptional care, no matter what. 

Relaxing Options for Nervous Patients 

Daley Street Dental is a warm, welcoming, and non-judgmental atmosphere where you can feel comfortable being yourself. To ease the nerves of our more anxious patients, we offer nitrous oxide, also known as ‘happy gas’. We also provide other means of sedation and local anaesthesia for our dental procedures, when needed. 

In addition to various sedation options, we provide patients with neck pillows and blankets to give them more comfort during their visit. At Daley Street Dental, we believe being kind and friendly goes a long way, and you can always expect us to treat you with respect and consideration. 

Our Team Treats You Like Family

All of our dentists, hygienists, assistants, and clinic staff are compassionate and kind. It’s our goal to make all of our patients feel safe and confident in our abilities to deliver gentle dental care.

Ultimately, we treat every person who walks through our doors like we would treat our own family. At Daley Street Dental, you are a valued member of our community, and we want to help you feel great about your smile. 

Gentle Dentistry in Alstonville, NSW 

Daley Street Dental provides comprehensive dentistry for patients of all ages in Northern Rivers and beyond. We look forward to becoming your family’s trusted dental home! 

Daley Street Dental strives to provide affordable dental care of the highest standard. Treatment costs depend on numerous factors including, but not limited to:

• The type of treatment
• The complexity of the case
• Method of payment
• Materials required for treatment (i.e., ceramic restorations) 

To determine the cost of a specific treatment or procedure, we invite you to contact our Alstonville dental practice to speak with one of our staff members. 

New Patient Welcome Offer 

Though the costs vary, we offer a special price for new patients at our clinic. New patients without health funds or no gap can receive a comprehensive checkup, dental clean and polish, x-rays as needed, and a fluoride treatment as needed for only $179.

Normally, a full oral exam, clean and polish, x-rays, and a fluoride treatment would close to $400. This special offer is a great way to save on an essential aspect of preventive care, and it allows us to show our new patients how happy we are that they joined our dental practice. 

Affordable Dental Care in Alstonville 

We accept all major health funds and are preferred providers for Bupa and HCF. In addition to accepting cash, credit card, and debit card payments, we also accept alternative payment plans such as Afterpay, ZipPay and Denticare.

Please consider giving us a call or contacting us through our website to learn more about how you can benefit from one of our many special offers or other financial resources. 

We understand that dentistry can cause some patients to be anxious, but we pride ourselves on being gentle and understanding. We are here to support you and your needs, and you can expect to receive exceptional care, no matter what. 

Relaxing Options for Nervous Patients 

Daley Street Dental is a warm, welcoming, and non-judgmental atmosphere where you can feel comfortable being yourself. To ease the nerves of our more anxious patients, we offer nitrous oxide, also known as ‘happy gas’. We also provide other means of sedation and local anaesthesia for our dental procedures, when needed. 

In addition to various sedation options, we provide patients with neck pillows and blankets to give them more comfort during their visit. At Daley Street Dental, we believe being kind and friendly goes a long way, and you can always expect us to treat you with respect and consideration. 

Our Team Treats You Like Family

All of our dentists, hygienists, assistants, and clinic staff are compassionate and kind. It’s our goal to make all of our patients feel safe and confident in our abilities to deliver gentle dental care.

Ultimately, we treat every person who walks through our doors like we would treat our own family. At Daley Street Dental, you are a valued member of our community, and we want to help you feel great about your smile. 

Gentle Dentistry in Alstonville, NSW 

Daley Street Dental provides comprehensive dentistry for patients of all ages in Northern Rivers and beyond. We look forward to becoming your family’s trusted dental home! 

We aim to provide access to all general dentistry services. If you are looking for a clinic that can perform various dental treatments under one roof, you may not want to look any further than Daley Street Dental.

Every treatment is customised to meet our patients’ needs and smile goals. We are here to support you at every stage of your journey toward your standard of excellent dental health. 

Some of the comprehensive services we offer include:

• Preventive care  
• Traditional orthodontics 
• Invisalign and clear braces 
• Wisdom tooth extraction 
• Dental implants
• All-on-4® cases 
• Root canals 
• Crowns and bridges
• Children's dentistry
• Cosmetic dentistry 

Whatever your oral health needs or smile goals may be, you can trust our team at Daley Street Dental to help you find a personalised, viable solution. Our ultimate goal is to assist you in achieving and maintaining your healthiest smile for many years to come. 

Are You Ready to Book Your Appointment?

To book your appointment or learn more about our comprehensive dentistry services, we invite you to call us at (02) 6628 0783 or contact us online. We look forward to helping you discover your best and healthiest smile, the smile you desire to have and share with the world.

 All-on-4® is the replacement of ALL teeth with a FIXED BRIDGE on FOUR dental implants on the SAME DAY. This procedure involves extraction of all remaining teeth, precise placement of four dental implants followed by issuing of a bridge that replaces the entire row of teeth.

The discomfort associated with traditional dentures is associated with the sheer amount of pink acrylic that is required to provide enough suction to stay in your mouth. An All-on-4® placed with surgically guided implants ensures the bridge is as thin as possible so you only receive what you are missing (the white part the teeth) without the added bulk that comes with a denture. Also, as a denture is supported by the gums so they can rub, create discomfort, affect speech, fall out and require regular adjustments. An All-on-4® is essentially a denture on supports so the entire load from chewing is absorbed through the implants (not the gums) so you do not get any discomfort when biting or chewing and alterations in speech like a tradition denture.

The appreciation and gratitude patients show when they get their final fixed bridge is inserted is the most rewarding part of the procedure. It is truly a life changing procedure and something we love providing for our patients. The majority of our referrals are from families and friends of patients who have had the procedure, so we have no doubt this is something our patients feel is worthwhile.

After all extractions, the gum and bone shrinks around where the tooth used to be.  We think of this like the ‘use it or lose it’ principle with muscles - if the stimulus is no longer there, than the muscles will waste away.

This is why we ONLY perform a 2-bridge protocol. The initial bridge fits perfectly for the first 4-6 weeks but as the gum shrinks spaces can develop under the bridge as the gums shrink and heal. We wait three months before we rescan the tissue to fabricate a new final bridge as it is the only way to guarantee the final bridge will have no spaces where food can get stuck. This is because the under surface of the bridge is fitted with firm tissue pressure onto the gum underneath preventing food debris from getting stuck when you chew and eat.

Yes, once the final bridge is inserted it is strong enough to allow you to return to your normal function and diet. You can bite an apple and chew a steak without discomfort or fear of damaging the bridge or implants.  However, initially, when you have the immediate provisional bridge that we provide on the day of surgery we request that you have a soft diet for three months. This allows each implant to have the best chance of integrating with bone. This involves not eating anything you cannot cut with a spoon - examples of suitable foods include scrambled eggs, yoghurt, shakes, pureed meals, fish or shredded chicken.

This decision is always and only ever based on the patients’ needs and preferences. 

It is important to be aware that long-acting strong local anaesthetic is used so no pain is experienced during the procedure.

Some people prefer to be asleep, so they have no memory of the surgical aspect of the procedure. A general anaesthetic is something we can offer at Daley Street Dental as Dr McNamara works out of St Vincents Private Hospital in Lismore and has a visiting anaesthetist who can provide Intravenous sedation at the dental clinic in Alstonville.  However, most patients choose to get treatment in the chair with oral sedatives like Lorazepam or Nitrous Oxide sedation (‘happy gas’). This is generally because the procedure is only about 2 hours, pain free and incurs no additional cost compared with general anaesthetic. Feedback from our returning patients receiving the same treatment for their opposite jaw, all have opted to have the procedure performed the same way again. Experience tells us this is all that is required unless you have a severe phobia associated with dental treatment.  Whatever your decision, we can support your choice.

The final All-on-4® bridge is made out of the same material that dental crowns are made out of so they are designed to match or mimic existing teeth so yes they will look and feel like the enamel of natural teeth. Everything about the smile design process can be customised from the size, shape and colour of the teeth to how much tooth is displayed in your smile and how wide your smile is. A huge advantage of choosing a team that utilised a digital smile design protocol is that it allows you and Dr Kieran to co-design your custom smile on two occasions. Initially, with the 3D Simulation and then again when we progress to the final bridge after you have worn the initial prototype for the first three months. We generally find the initial design is about 95% ideal and we only need to make slight adjustments for the final design.

100% YES! That is what we are planning to achieve. All-on-4® implant bridges can be made out of acrylic with denture teeth or zirconia. Although dentures look somewhat like real teeth, Zirconia is the most natural and highly aesthetic option. It is always important to understand what the final bridge you are getting is being made from and what the long-term maintenance issues may be for that material before you commit to treatment.

There are two ways to access superannuation on compassionate grounds for chronic medical conditions like edentulism that require comprehensive treatment like All-on-4®.

1. You can do it yourself and log onto the ato.gov.au website that will explain the process and terms and conditions and provide template your GP and Dentist will need to complete. This process generally takes about 3 months from the time you apply to the time the ATO deposits the money into your bank account. 
2. Alternatively, you can use a third party like ‘SuperCare’ who can fast track the process into 4 weeks and do all the behind the scenes work for you for a fee of $700.  

Ask our team after your consultation. We are happy to help and support you with whichever option you chose.

There is no way to know if All-on-4® is your best option without having a consultation and scans with a qualified dentist to assess your suitability. That is why Dr Kieran McNamara at Daley Street Dental provides a free initial consultation. 

Being a full-service dental clinic, it means we offer all aspects of dental care from crowns and bridge, dentures, root canals and fillings and we do this all on in one location - NOT just All-on-4® like the franchises you see on social media. This means Dr McNamara will assess your suitability and offer you ALL the available options to restore your smile and function - NOT just the All-on-4® procedure. If All-on-4® is the option you wish to proceed with after knowing all your options, then it is something we are equipped to help you with.

The bridge will not allow air or food underneath, but plaque will develop over time and this needs to cleaned off like when it developed on your original teeth. Every patient gets a Water-Pik as part of the treatment and are taught to clean under the bridge by Dr McNamara and again by our Oral Health Therapist once all the treatment is complete.

Most people are not aware that the term ‘All-on-4®’ is not a stock product or service. The final product can differ significantly from one clinic or franchise to the next and from one country to the next.  ‘All-on-4®’ is a term used to describe a surgical protocol where a bridge is supported by only 4 implants, and all this is achieved in only one day. Some centres skip steps- like only using one bridge or use vastly inferior materials- like a ceramic bridge without the supporting titanium bar. It is in your best interest to be informed about exactly what you are getting before you make such a big commitment.

All the treatment is completed on the first day of surgery with the surgical time being about 2-3 hours and you will have the remaining teeth removed, implants placed and receive your entire new row of teeth that same day.

However, the entire process lasts about 5 months. It generally takes 2 weeks to plan the case and design your smile prior to the day of surgery.  We need to wait 3 months from the day of surgery to ensure there is optimal healing and that the implants have integrated or permanently locked into the bone before we begin to fabricate the final bridge. The final Ceramic on Titanium bridge takes 5 weeks to make from start to finish because of the strength of the materials used. Following delivery of the final bridge we prefer to review your cleaning and maintenance after 1 month of function to ensure there will be no long-term issues.

In the days after the initial surgery, you will be swollen and require pain medication.

As this initial treatment is essentially a denture on supports, the implants stop the denture from pushing into the region where you have had the extractions and the implants placed so the pain is significantly less than what most people would anticipate. We suggest 2-3 days off work so mainly operate later in the week so you can have the weekend to recover. After the initial procedure, there is no more surgery required so you can book appointments anytime to fit around your busy schedule.

The number of teeth you get is 10-12. The number depends on how far back we can place the most rear two implants.  This means you will have the 4 incisors, a canine then 1-2 premolars and a molar. Either number is ample for chewing purposes and certainly does not leave a visible gap behind your last teeth in your smile. The reason for 10 -12 is that there is anatomy that may limit how far back we can get the implants and a 3D CT scan is the only way to know exactly how many teeth you can have with certainty.  This treatment concept cantilevers the back molar plus 1 or 2 premolars off the back implant to get as many chewing teeth as possible. The limitation is the force that is generated on the back implant by the length of the cantilever when you chew.

In Australia, the All-on-4® treatment varies in cost depending mostly upon a) the brand of implants that the dentist uses and b) the type of material that the final bridge is made from.

1. For example, some implants from China can cost as little as $99 while others that were designed specifically for this procedure and have over 20 years of evidence behind them can cost the dentist up to eight times more.
2. The cheapest option is a Zirconia bridge without Titanium to support it under load. You can get this for under $20,000, but the long-term success is limited by the material used.
3. The next option is an acrylic bridge with denture teeth supported by a titanium bar and this option ranges from $20,000 - $25,000.
4. The gold standard and strongest and most aesthetic option is the Zirconia bridge with custom milled titanium bar that costs between $25,000 and $32,000.

The primary symptom people experience is swelling. They are almost always pleasantly surprised by the lack of pain associated with the procedure. However, if you need wisdom teeth out or have difficult surgical extractions at the same time your pain will be more significant. However, patients get teeth extracted every day and their pain is managed below 4/10 with Panadol and Nurofen. We prescribe stronger pain relief as well as paracetamol and a long-acting anti-inflammatory medication to ensure you are as comfortable as possible.

At the complimentary initial consultation, we will take a 3D scan of your jawbone (CBCT) free of charge to assess your bone volume and be able to advise you if you are a candidate. Even if your teeth are in really bad shape, All-on-4® is still an option in almost all cases as this technique utilises the bone under the roots of the teeth to stabilise the implants.

Generally, speech takes a week or two to adapt to as the initial bridge is slightly thicker than natural teeth. The major downside we hear about is the cost. Without taking time to understand why the procedure is so expensive many people travel overseas to get the treatment done cheaper. Unfortunately, when we see what they get you are not comparing apples with apples. We understand it is a very costly procedure and can assist by providing payment plan options or helping you access superannuation on compassionate grounds.  The reality is, if we could make things cheaper and more accessible we would but your mouth and teeth are a hostile environment and are used often generating significant loads so they need to be engineered with the highest quality components to be successful long term.

Generally, speech takes a week or two to adapt to as the initial bridge is slightly thicker than natural teeth. The major downside we hear about is the cost. Without taking time to understand why the procedure is so expensive many people travel overseas to get the treatment done cheaper. Unfortunately, when we see what they get you are not comparing apples with apples. We understand it is a very costly procedure and can assist by providing payment plan options or helping you access superannuation on compassionate grounds. The reality is, if we could make things cheaper and more accessible we would but your mouth and teeth are a hostile environment and are used often generating significant loads so they need to be engineered with the highest quality components to be successful long term.

If your implant dentist is following the Malo Protocol then there is over 20-30 years of data on the success or failure rates of All-on-4® implants. The lower jaw has a slightly higher success rate as the bone is generally stronger compared with the upper jaw. 

In saying that, the upper jaw still has a 98% success rate. 

It is important to remember that if an implant fails in the initial healing period it will be replaced at no cost. This generally does not mean you will lose your initial bridge, but it may just become shorter on one side until the replacement implant takes. This means there may be a delay getting the final bridge and you may have to wear your initial bridge for a bit longer.

This is the Gold Standard for All-on-4®and is the most validated protocol in clinical studies over the past 30 years. This protocol involves getting two bridges.

Replacement of ALL teeth on FOUR dental implants on the SAME DAY with an immediate temporary FIXED BRIDGE that is worn during the initial gum healing and implant integration phase.  Following confirmation of successful implant integration and complete gum healing, a SECOND Bridge is fabricated that is significantly stronger, has a titanium bar to support it and serves as a definitive final long-term bridge.

What clinics in and outside of Australia offer under the title ‘ All-on-4®’ varies significantly in terms of the process, experience and the quality of the product being used. Questions I would ask to help understand what I was getting would be:

1. What brand of implants am I getting? Only Nobel Biocare is specifically designed for this procedure and has over 20 years of scientific evidence behind their success rates.
2. When do I get the initial bridge? Is it on the day of the surgery or is the clinic going to have to send it away to be made meaning you will have no teeth and no protection to the surgical site for 2-3 days.
3. Are my extractions and sedation costs on top of the advertised All-on-4®quote? Ensure the quote you receive is the total amount you need to pay and there is no chance for variations if things do not go as planned during surgery?
4. Do I get 2 bridges, or do I get the permanent one straight away? Meaning is my permanent bridge getting made after the implants have had time to integrate and gums completely heal or is it being made on the day after the surgery. It is important to ask what will happen if the gums shrink as they heal and food gets stuck under them or I am not 100% happy with the look of the teeth on the first attempt?
5. What is the final bridge made out of? Bridges are made from different materials and should have a titanium bar to support it. The cost of the  All-on-4® procedure with the final ceramic bridge without a titanium bar is the weakest option and costs $15,000-$20,000. The procedure with an acrylic bridge (with denture teeth) on a titanium bar ranges from $20,000-25,000. The procedure with ceramic teeth on a titanium bar ranges from $25,000-$35,000. 
6. What is the cost to me if the final bridge chips, breaks or the teeth de-bond over the next 5-10 years? Teeth without a supporting bar have poor survival rates.  Denture teeth and acrylic with a titanium bar have over an 80% chance of fracture or breakage in the first 10 years that is why we recommend Ceramic on Titanium and it is the only option we offer for a single arch.

The cost difference is due to the TGA requirements in Australia comparted to Asia or India and the choice of materials and labs used by the surgeon you choose.

The costs associated with using reputable implants with a Zirconia bridge with custom milled titanium bar account for over half the fee you are paying a dentist in Australia.  Cheaper parts not designed for the job or that have inferior strength properties will result in more complications with the final product.

This is something that is not easy to fix when you have returned to Australia. This is something we would see on a weekly basis in our clinic in the Northern Rivers.

Yes, we do! We can provide in-chair or general anaesthetic services at a local day hospital for wisdom teeth extractions by Dr Kieran McNamara. He has had extensive training in Australia and overseas in oral surgery procedures.

Affordable Extractions in NSW 

Wisdom teeth vary in difficulty, so we work with our patients to determine the most effective and budget-friendly option for their unique situation. If you would like to learn more about our financing, payment, and insurance options, we invite you to explore our financial page. 

Sedation Options for Patients 

To calm your nerves and numb the area in need of treatment, we provide the following forms of sedation:

• Nitrous oxide (‘happy gas’)
• Oral pre-medications (i.e., valium)
• ‘Twilight’ sleep dentistry
• General anaesthetic at a local hospital 

Our wisdom tooth extractions are reliable and affordable, so you can get the treatment you need to maintain your oral health.

Ready to Resolve Tooth Pain?

Wisdom teeth can often cause pain and discomfort, and they can even sometimes lead to other oral health issues. We never recommend removing wisdom teeth unless they pose a threat to your health.

If you suspect you may need an extraction, we invite you to call us today to book your appointment with Dr McNamara.  

Yes, we do! We can provide in-chair or general anaesthetic services at a local day hospital for wisdom teeth extractions by Dr Kieran McNamara. He has had extensive training in Australia and overseas in oral surgery procedures.

Affordable Extractions in NSW 

Wisdom teeth vary in difficulty, so we work with our patients to determine the most effective and budget-friendly option for their unique situation. If you would like to learn more about our financing, payment, and insurance options, we invite you to explore our financial page. 

Sedation Options for Patients 

To calm your nerves and numb the area in need of treatment, we provide the following forms of sedation:

• Nitrous oxide (‘happy gas’)
• Oral pre-medications (i.e., valium)
• ‘Twilight’ sleep dentistry
• General anaesthetic at a local hospital 

Our wisdom tooth extractions are reliable and affordable, so you can get the treatment you need to maintain your oral health.

Ready to Resolve Tooth Pain?

Wisdom teeth can often cause pain and discomfort, and they can even sometimes lead to other oral health issues. We never recommend removing wisdom teeth unless they pose a threat to your health.

If you suspect you may need an extraction, we invite you to call us today to book your appointment with Dr McNamara.