Frequently Asked Questions

  • Medicare does not cover dental care for adults in most circumstances. Children aged 0–17 may be eligible for up to $1,158 over two consecutive calendar years under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule if the family receives certain government payments. Veterans may have entitlements through the Department of Veterans' Affairs, and public dental services are available to concession card holders in Victoria, though waiting lists are long.

  • Yes, if you hold extras cover. General dental such as check-ups, cleans, X-rays and fillings is usually covered at a higher rate than major dental such as crowns, dentures, root canals and implants. We have HICAPS on site, so your fund is claimed instantly and you pay only the gap.

  • Early visits are short and are mostly about getting your child comfortable in the chair rather than doing anything to their teeth. Children's care at Dental4U includes fissure sealants, fluoride application, growth monitoring and oral hygiene instruction.

    We make visits fun and positive to build lifelong healthy habits.

  • Tell us when you book and we'll allow extra time. We use the Magic Wand, a computer-controlled anaesthetic delivery device from the US that releases anaesthetic slowly and steadily rather than in one push, which makes numbing far more comfortable — particularly for children and anxious patients. You're welcome to bring headphones and listen to your own music, and there's a TV in the surgery so you can watch a film or, for children, cartoons. We explain everything before we do it, stop whenever you ask, and never pressure anyone into treatment.

  • Yes. Payment is required on the day of your appointment. EFTPOS facilities are available for your convenience. Private health insurance claims can be submitted on the spot, with HICAPs. We accept cash, Visa and Mastercard.

    Your dentist will be happy to discuss payment options with you.

  • An AU$80 deposit is required at the time of booking and is credited towards your treatment, so it isn't an extra cost. It's there because a reserved appointment is time set aside exclusively for you. If you cancel or reschedule with less than 48 hours' notice, the deposit is retained as a late cancellation fee.

  • Dental4U is aligned with the CBHS Dental Choice Network, HCF More For Teeth, HIF Choice Network and RT Health. Depending on your level of cover, these programs can make preventive visits such as check-ups and cleans gap-free. Call us on (03) 9687 7786 with your fund and policy details and we'll check before you book.

  • Small bitewing X-rays, which check between the teeth for decay, start from $45. A full panoramic OPG, which shows the whole jaw and is used for implant planning, wisdom teeth and assessing bone levels, starts from $110. Most extras policies cover both under general dental.

  • A single dental implant with a crown starts from $4500 at Dental4U, covering the implant, the abutment and the crown. Bone grafting, a sinus lift or an extraction beforehand add to that. You receive a written quote after your consultation before anything is booked.

  • A routine six-month check-up with scale, polish and fluoride starts from $220. X-rays are quoted separately, as not everyone needs them at every visit. If it's been several years since your last clean, or there's gum disease present, deeper cleaning or periodontal debridement is quoted after we've examined you.

  • A full examination of your teeth, gums and soft tissues, X-rays if they're needed, and a discussion of anything you're concerned about. We then explain what we've found and what your options are, with costs, before any treatment is booked. Allow about 45 minutes.

  • Most of our patients come from Yarraville, Seddon, Kingsville, Footscray, West Footscray, Newport, Spotswood and Williamstown, though we see people from across Melbourne's inner west. We're at 11C Murray Street, Yarraville, a short walk from Yarraville station.

  • There is street parking on Murray Street and the surrounding streets. Yarraville station is a short walk away on the Werribee and Williamstown lines, roughly 20 minutes from Melbourne CBD by train, and the practice has step-free access with a ramp.

  • Usually three to six -eight months from the first appointment to the final crown. The implant is placed into the jawbone, then left to fuse with the bone over several months before the crown is fitted.

  • A filling replaces a small area of lost tooth structure and sits inside the tooth. A crown covers the entire visible tooth and is used when too much structure has been lost for a filling to hold, or after a root canal. As a rule, if more than about half the tooth is gone, a crown is the safer choice.

  • Porcelain veneers typically last 10 to 15 years with good care; composite veneers usually 5 to 7 years. Grinding your teeth, biting nails or opening things with your teeth shortens that considerably. Dr Laura Latis will assess whether veneers suit your bite before recommending them.

  • Often yes. Small chips can usually be repaired in a single appointment with composite bonding, which is shaped and colour-matched to the tooth on the spot. Larger fractures that involve the nerve may need a crown or root canal, which takes more than one visit.

  • Yes, we provide professional teeth whitening. It works on natural tooth enamel but not on crowns, veneers or fillings, so if you have restorations at the front we'll discuss how to get an even result before starting.

  • Call us on (03) 9687 7786 and we will do our best to fit you in as soon as our schedule allows. We're open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 6:00pm. Ringing first thing in the morning gives you the best chance of being seen that day.

Exterior of a brick building with a sign for a dental clinic, including a ramp, two windows with security bars, and signage with appointment booking information.