This technique is a minimally invasive method that utilises part of your own tooth root within the jaw bone, to protect your dental implant.

Better aesthetics can be achieved with the CST without the need for painful and expensive gum and bone grafting. 

Using retained pieces of root around dental implants is not new.  It has been in use in dentistry for over a decade.   It started in Germany in 2010, to overcome the problems associated with traditional techniques.  The CST is an evolution of these techniques and Dr Castle started teaching the CST nationally in 2018. 

This technique has a 97% satisfaction rating as determined by patients in a recent study.

If you have a tooth that needs to be extracted, then you may candidate for the CST.  A consultation is recommended along with current X-rays to check your suitability.

Unfortunately once the tooth has already been removed, we can’t perform the CST.  In this case Dr Castle will use a traditional technique to replace your missing tooth or teeth.

Yes it can!  Generally this is not a problem.  In our recent study, a lot of compromised teeth were successfully treated with the CST.  We highly recommended a consultation to confirm your suitability.  In certain cases where this is a long-standing infection, the jaw bone may have dissolved significantly so that there is insufficient bone to place the implant straight away.  It is essential to take an X-ray before implant treatment to determine any potential issues.

The CST may not be suitable if your tooth is extremely loose.   A consultation is recommended to confirm your suitability for the CST and what your options are.

There are risks associated with any surgical procedure eg swelling, bleeding, infection but the risks are very low.  With any retained root procedure, there is always a risk that part of the root can become exposed over time.  This is easily treated and it’s unlikely that all of the root will be lost, so the remaining root still protects the site against shrinkage. 

Most people can return to work the very next day with minimal pain expected.

For a front tooth, it takes about an 1.5 hours to prepare the root and place the dental implant. 

We will always provide you with a temporary front tooth so you won’t be worried about going out in public.  We can do this a number of ways.  In some cases we can affix this temporary tooth on your newly placed implant.  This works well, but if you start placing force on this tooth during the first 6 weeks, the implant may fail.  Alternatively, we can attach a temporary tooth to the adjacent teeth rather than the implant itself, reducing any risk of putting too much force on the implant during the healing phase.  In cases where this is not an option, a small discreet plate can be used instead.

Sedation is offered to our patients to make them feel comfortable. A lot of people find going to the dentist stressful and we completely understand this.  We also never judge patients – we are here to offer solutions and not criticism!

With local anaesthetic, the procedure should be painless. 

Try to avoid direct pressure on the temporary tooth as it is there for cosmetic reasons only and is not a functional tooth.  It will take at least 6 weeks for the implant to “fuse” to the jaw bone. We will prescribe a one-week course of antibiotics after implant placement to reduce the risk of any infection.  Ibuprofen (if you are able to take it) is recommended on the day of the surgery and the following day as required.  The rest of the teeth can be cleaned as normal.  A savacol or salt rinse is recommended for 2 weeks after surgery. 

The fee for an implant and new crown to replace a front tooth is between $5000- $6,000.  The cost of the temporary tooth may attract an additional fee if it has to be custom made in a dental laboratory.  This may be the case if we can’t attach your temporary tooth to the adjacent teeth (this will be explained to you at the consultation). Three dimensional X-rays (CBCT) taken at a radiology clinic will incur an additional fee as will custom made 3D printed surgical guides (if required).

 We recommend Humm for all dental financing. Alternatively, some patients have had great success accessing their superannuation funds to pay for dental treatment.  Please see the ATO website for their terms and conditions.

Yes – but it is always best to have a consultation first.