If you need dental implants and cannot pay for them up front, you may be able to use your superannuation to cover the cost. Dental implants are one of the most common treatments funded through compassionate release of superannuation in Australia. At Radiant Smiles Dental Care, we have been helping patients in Perth and Albany access their super for implant work for years, through our partnerships with SuperCare and AccessMySuper.
This page covers how super funding works for dental implants specifically: which treatments qualify, how much you can release, what the process looks like, and what to expect on timing and cost.
Why do patients use super to pay for implants?
Dental implants sit in an awkward gap in the Australian healthcare system. Medicare does not cover them. Most private health insurance pays a small rebate at best, often only a few hundred dollars toward an implant costing several thousand. The public dental system does not fund implant work outside rare hospital cases.
That leaves most patients paying out of pocket, which is hard when:
- A single restored implant at Radiant Smiles starts from $3,999
- An unrestored single implant starts from $2,400
- All-on-4 full arch treatment starts from $25,000 per arch
- Implant-retained dentures start from $17,500 per jaw
Pricing is indicative and varies by case. Your written quote after consultation is the figure used for the super release application.
For many patients, super release is the only practical way to fund implant treatment now rather than live with missing, infected, or failing teeth for years. The ATO recognises this and routinely approves dental implant applications on compassionate grounds, provided the clinical need is well documented.
Which implant treatments qualify?
The ATO’s compassionate release rules cover dental implant treatment where there is documented clinical need. Qualifying treatments include:
- Single tooth implants to replace a missing or extracted tooth
- Multiple implants and implant-supported bridges for patients missing several teeth
- All-on-4 full arch to replace a complete upper or lower set of teeth
- Implant-supported dentures (overdentures) for secure removable teeth
- Bone grafting and sinus lifts when needed to make implants possible
- Costs for Sedation/General anaesthesia
Treatment is more likely to qualify when you have:
- Failing or fractured teeth causing ongoing pain
- Advanced gum disease affecting tooth stability
- Missing teeth that affect eating or speech
- Poorly fitting dentures causing pain or sores
- Long-standing dental issues causing distress
- Poor quality of life, or health due to missing teeth
Your Radiant Smiles dentist in Perth will examine you, take a panoramic X-ray and a 3D CBCT scan where needed, and tell you whether your case is likely to meet ATO criteria before you apply.
How much super can you release for implants?
There is no fixed cap. The amount you release must match the quoted cost of the actual treatment. Radiant Smiles prepares one detailed itemised quote, formatted to ATO requirements.
The quote can include:
- All consultations and examinations
- 3D CBCT scans and other imaging
- Surgical implant placement
- The restoration (crown, bridge, or full arch prosthesis)
- Bone grafting and sinus lift procedures if required
- Follow-up appointments in the treatment plan
If the actual treatment ends up costing less than the quoted amount, the unused balance stays in (or returns to) your super fund. You cannot keep the difference.
The process for implant super release
The process is similar to any dental super release, but with a couple of implant-specific steps.
- Implant consultation at Radiant Smiles Dental Care: Book a visit to our Yokine (Perth) or Albany clinic. We examine you, take a panoramic X-ray, and take a 3D CBCT scan for precise implant planning.
- Treatment plan and quote: We prepare a detailed treatment plan and a single itemised quote formatted to ATO requirements.
- Supporting statements: Two practitioner statements are required. Our dentists, plus a specialist where needed, write the medical practitioner supporting statements.
- Application: SuperCare or AccessMySuper assembles and lodges your application with the ATO.
- ATO decision: The ATO typically responds within 14 to 28 days.
- Funds released: Your super fund releases the approved amount to pay Radiant Smiles directly, usually within 5 to 10 business days of ATO approval.
- Implant surgery begins: We schedule your first appointment once funds clear.
Start to finish, most implant patients go from first consultation to approved funds in about 4 to 6 weeks. Simpler single-tooth cases can move faster.
SuperCare and AccessMySuper for implants
Both SuperCare and AccessMySuper fund dental implant treatment. The choice usually comes down to current fees, turnaround time, and personal preference. We recommend the option best suited to your case during your consultation.
Either way, our coordinators at Yokine or Albany handle the back-and-forth with the service on your behalf. You are not left to work through the ATO process on your own.
For a fuller breakdown of both services, see our super funding page.
Implant treatment at Radiant Smiles
Our two WA clinics are set up for implant work at every level, from single tooth to full mouth.
- Perth (Yokine): Our flagship clinic for complex implant and full arch cases. Equipped with 3D CBCT imaging, digital treatment planning, and in-house restoration. We handle All-on-4 and full mouth rehabilitation on site.
- Albany: Implant treatment for the Great Southern region. We handle single and multiple implants locally, and coordinate with our Perth clinic for complex full-arch cases where that makes sense for the patient.
We use established implant systems and run every case through 3D-guided planning. For a detailed walk-through of how we place implants, see our dental implants Perth page. For full arch cases, see All-on-4 dental implants at Radiant Smiles.
Financial implications to consider
Before releasing super for implants, understand these trade-offs:
- Tax: Compassionate release super is generally taxable. For people under preservation age the rate is often around 22%. Your exact rate depends on your age and your fund’s balance composition. See ato.gov.au for your situation.
- Retirement impact: Money drawn now loses decades of compound growth, so your balance at retirement will be materially lower than if you had left it in place. As a guide, $20,000 withdrawn at age 40 could mean $60,000 to $80,000 less at retirement. Ask a licensed financial adviser to model the impact on your fund.
- Service fees: SuperCare and AccessMySuper charge a case fee, paid from released funds.
- Approval is not guaranteed: The ATO can decline applications, though rejections are uncommon when documentation is strong.
- We are dentists, not financial advisers: If you want to think through whether super release is the right choice for you, speak with a licensed financial adviser before applying.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my super for All-on-4?
Yes. All-on-4 is a qualifying treatment when clinical need is documented, and it is one of the larger implant cases we regularly fund through super release.
How much super can I release for an implant?
The amount must match your quoted treatment cost. There is no dollar cap set by the ATO. You can release anything from the cost of a single implant to the cost of full mouth rehabilitation, provided the case is documented.
How long does it take from consultation to implant surgery?
Usually 4 to 6 weeks. First consultation to approved funds takes most of that time. Surgery begins as soon as funds clear.
Do I need a quote for an implant super release?
One detailed itemised quote is required, prepared by Radiant Smiles Dental Care and formatted to ATO requirements. We include all expected costs (consultations, imaging, surgery, restoration, any bone grafting) so the application reflects the full treatment.
What if my super balance is less than the implant cost?
You can still release what you have and cover the remainder through payment plans, savings, or a partner’s super release. We can discuss options at consultation.
Can I combine super release with my private health rebate?
Yes. Many patients claim the implant rebate through Private Health First, then release super for the balance. We itemise the quote so the claim is straightforward.
Does the ATO ever reject implant applications?
Rejections are rare when the application is well-documented. If it happens, we help identify why and reapply with additional evidence.
Can my partner use their super for my implants?
Yes. A spouse, de facto partner, or dependant can release their super for your dental treatment, provided they meet the eligibility rules.
Can I use super to cover bone grafting or sinus lifts?
Yes. Any pre-surgical work needed to make the implant possible, including bone grafting and sinus lifts, can be included in the quoted amount.