Sometimes, all it takes is one missing tooth to bring down your entire confidence. And when that happens, dental implants are usually the best answer for natural-looking results. 

But for a procedure that costs thousands of dollars per tooth, choosing an expert might just be the biggest decision you’ll ever make.

To find pros, we didn’t just choose surgeons who will treat you like a mate, we chose the ones with a solid track record in Wellington too. It was many days of work, but hey, anything to help you get that million-dollar smile back! 

1. Wellington Oral Surgery

When it comes to experience and track record, Wellington Oral Surgery wins. As of writing, they’ve placed over 10,000 implants already, including both single-tooth replacements and full jaw restoration.

Considering the procedure is naturally expensive, we value that they’re transparent with their prices. They also offer payment plans, including an 18-month, interest-free option (subject to approval).

Other options include Q-Card and Q Mastercard.

While their overall process from consultation to follow-up was seamless, we did encounter issues with their phone service. Our team experienced delays in response times for queries, although the booking process itself was easy and fast. 

On the good side, they have all the tech to carry out safe procedures. From 3D imaging to guided implant placement, the clinic has the right equipment to ensure accurate outcomes.

No pain, no complications 

“Had all 4 wisdom teeth removed by David on IV Sedation. Went better than I could have asked for. If you have concerns that sedation is not enough, don’t be. I thought it wasn’t working and they told me the procedure was already over. Pain only lasted a day after the procedure. No complications. Have been bragging about how good a surgeon David was to everyone that has approached me with a wisdom tooth horror story. Too bad for them I guess.”

Chris Johnstone | Google Reviews

Pain-free, comfortable, and quick 

“I had 4 wisdom teeth removed last Wednesday by Dr David, it was a pain free, comfortable and quick surgery. His staff and himself are all amazing and provided knowledge and reassurance at every step. I had plenty of time to ask questions and Dr David was always very accommodating to that. Highly recommend!”

Rozary Lazar | Google Reviews 

2. Wellington Dentures 

Wellington Dentures’ best advantage is their natural-looking approach to procedures. With hyper-realistic dental implant dentures, it’s not hard to see why they’re one of the city’s most trusted clinics.

They offer a wide range of options as well, including implant-supported dentures, urgent denture repairs, and partials. With this in mind, we see them as a solid choice for those who need comprehensive dental implant care in the long term.

Since their fabrication process happens in-house, quality assurance is consistent. Without needing to outsource, clients save time and money as well, which is already a big help beyond their competitive rates.

However, not everyone was happy with their rates. We spoke to one client who experienced higher quotes during a second appointment. This appears to be an isolated case, though, but we still recommend requesting an itemised breakdown to avoid this.

Amazing service 

“Amazing service from Johnsonville branch of Wellington Dentures. Whinny was very friendly and understanding in my dilemma of a cracked denture. We had been in the North Island one day of a 3 week trip – so not ideal! They fixed my denture and we were on our way within hours. Thank you very much – what a great service with a wonderful smile Whinny.”

Trish Riddle | Google Reviews

Professional, friendly, and thorough 

“My Dad went to see James for a new set of dentures. At the initial consultation, communication was very clear as James explained the different options and costs. Throughout the process, service was always professional, friendly, and thorough. Over all, Dad is very happy and impressed with the quality of his new dentures, and would absolutely recommend Wellington Dentures to anyone considering.”

Amy L | Google Reviews

3. Thorndon Dental Surgery

Thorndon Dental Surgery is a great option for those who value comprehensive care. For procedures, they offer single-tooth implants, as well as bridges and retained dentures.

Their professional and compassionate approach was also evident during our visit to the clinic. It’s clear how comfortable they made the clients feel, eliminating that clinical feeling that may make patients anxious.

Another major advantage is their ACC-registered status. This means that if you’ve suffered an injury, you may qualify for coverage of dental implants under ACC. While their services are already priced reasonably as they are, this is definitely a big plus.

The only downside is their size – with not a lot of dental professionals on board, booking appointments can take time. A few clients even had to wait for months, so we recommend securing a spot as soon as availability is ready.

Successful with no problems 

“I have been going to Dr Gill for many years, and he has looked after my teeth and gums really well. He has done an implant which has been very successful with no problems. His injections are painless, and he makes the whole process smooth and comfortable. Highly recommend and would not go anywhere else”

Jeeta Kaur | Google Reviews

Extremely experienced and skilled 

“I’ve been a patient at Thorndon Dental for almost eight years and I can confidently say that Parm Gill and his team are fantastic. Parm is an extremely experienced and skilled dentist who takes great care to put you at ease during appointments. On top of that, the staff are very welcoming and a pleasure to deal with. I highly recommend Thorndon Dental.”

Joshua Whitford | Google Reviews 

4. Wellington Periodontics and Dental Implants

Wellington Periodontics and Dental Implants has been in the business for over 65 years, so the experience and track record are cut from the rest. They specialise in dental implants, offering everything from full arch implants to single tooth replacements.

For patients with significant bone loss or aesthetic concerns, they also offer bone and gum grafts. This isn’t something you can find in all dental clinics, so this is definitely a major plus. 

It’s also worth noting that they use high-tech equipment in treatment planning and surgery. The clinic uses CBCT scanning, which enables them to build accurate 3D models for guided implant placement.

The result is natural-looking and accurate results that are precise and last long. 

That said, we did notice inconsistencies in treatment quotes and consultation costs. More transparent estimates would help solidify trust in a clinic that already has a local reputation. 

Made patients feel safe and calm 

“I just wanted to say what a great team of professionals there are at the Wellington Periodontics and implants. I have been nervous about getting implants for many years and have put it off until now. Meeting with DJ and the whole team convinced me to take the plunge and go for it. Although I was very nervous on the day the staff members all made me feel safe and calm.  knew I was in the very best hand. I am post implant surgery now with bone graft and am taking it easy. Thank you to the whole team”

Beverley Dodd | Google Reviews

Professional service and competent care

“Due to circumstances my teeth had reached a crisis situation and presented as a serious challenge. Under those circumstances, the degree of professional service, competence, care and understanding I received from Dr Godoy Zanicotti (DJ) is beyond words. I cannot speak highly enough of DJ as his humane professional care and capabilities have been unbelievable. So I would highly recommend his services and take the opportunity to thank him most sincerely.”

Anastasia | Google Reviews

5. Wellington Dentists Ltd

Conveniently located, with a bright clinic space, Wellington Dentists Ltd immediately provides a welcoming environment to calm patients down. On top of that, they make everything hassle-free with their intuitive online booking system.

In line with this stress-free experience, we loved how friendly and efficient their staff are. We never encountered any issues with appointments, and they can even work around same-day consultations whenever possible.

The clinic offers a full range of dental implant services, including single and multiple tooth replacements. These procedures are supported by flexible financing through Q-Card and Partpay, making their offerings more accessible.

However, we noted that wait times after consultations can be quite long, especially for non-urgent cases. There’s a gap in follow-throughs, but we find everything else to be up to par.

Best experience ever 

“Thank you to Ruth & her team. As a very anxious patient I couldn’t thank her enough for putting me at ease and making this experience the best experience I’ve ever had with a dentist. You’re fantastic!”

Tarika Lucas | Google Reviews 

Completely at ease

“Had the best experience with my dentist Christie here, she is so gentle and makes you feel completely at ease. My procedure was painless and I’ve not have any further issues since seeing her. would recommend 100 time over.”

Julie Slater | Google Reviews 

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