If you’re a dentist based in or around Woking or Godalming and you have a patient who needs a dental implant, referring them to a trusted specialist team saves time and gives your patient a clear, well-planned path to treatment. At Guildford Smiles Dental, we work with referring dentists across Surrey to manage implant cases from first consultation through to final restoration, keeping you informed at every stage. You can book a consultation slot for your patient directly through our appointment portal.
In this guide, we’ll cover when to refer, what happens once you do, the range of implant treatments we offer, and how we support dentists and patients across Guildford, Woking, Godalming and the wider area.
Why Dentists Refer Patients for Dental Implants Near Woking and Godalming
Not every practice has the equipment, training or time to manage implant cases in-house. That’s a normal and sensible part of running a general dental practice, not a shortfall.
Referring gives your patient access to a dedicated implant team without you needing to invest in additional training or technology. Meanwhile, you keep your patient’s ongoing general and preventive care, including check-ups and hygiene visits, within your own practice.
Common reasons dentists refer patients to us include:
- The case involves bone loss that needs a bone graft or sinus lift before implant placement
- The patient needs multiple implants, such as All-on-4 treatment
- There’s uncertainty around the patient’s suitability due to gum disease or other periodontal concerns, which may need addressing through periodontics first
- The practice doesn’t currently offer implant placement or restoration in-house
- The patient specifically requests a specialist opinion before committing to treatment
Whatever the reason, our aim is to make the referral process straightforward for you and reassuring for your patient.
When Is the Right Time to Refer a Patient for Implants?
A good time to refer is as soon as a patient presents with a missing tooth, a failing tooth that’s likely to need extraction, or an existing denture or bridge that isn’t working well for them. Early referral gives more time to plan properly, including any bone grafting that may be needed before an implant can be placed.
Patients often come to their general dentist first, describing problems such as:
- A gap from a missing tooth that’s affecting how they eat or speak
- A loose or failing tooth they’re worried about losing
- Discomfort or poor fit with an existing denture or other prosthetic
- A desire for a more permanent, fixed solution than a removable prosthetic
If any of these sound familiar from a recent patient conversation, it’s worth raising a referral for dental implants as an option. Your patient can then attend a full assessment with us before any decisions are made, so nothing is rushed.
We always stress to patients that we cannot recommend a specific treatment without first carrying out a proper examination, and the same applies to any information in this article. It’s general guidance, not a diagnosis.
What to Expect When You Refer a Patient to Guildford Smiles Dental
Initial Implant Consultation and Assessment
Once a patient is referred, we arrange a thorough consultation. This typically includes a clinical examination and imaging such as an OPG scan or CBCT scan, which give us a detailed view of the jawbone and surrounding structures.
This step matters because implant treatment depends heavily on the quality and quantity of bone available. Where bone volume is limited, a bone graft or sinus lift may be recommended before implant placement can go ahead.
Treatment Planning and Keeping You Informed
After the assessment, we put together a treatment plan tailored to the patient’s needs and talk them through their options, including realistic timeframes. We’re happy to keep referring dentists updated on progress, so you’re never left wondering what stage your patient has reached.
Patients can also book directly through our appointment portal once a referral has been made, which keeps the process simple for everyone involved.
Implant and Restorative Treatment Options Available
We offer a full range of implant related treatment to suit different clinical situations, from single tooth replacement through to full arch solutions.
Options we provide include:
- Single dental implants, used to replace one missing tooth without affecting neighbouring teeth
- All-on-4 implants, a fixed full arch solution for patients missing most or all of their teeth
- Bone grafting and sinus lifts, where additional bone support is needed before implant placement
- Crowns and bridges, including implant-supported restorations
- Prosthetics, for patients who need a broader restorative solution alongside or instead of implants
Every case is different, and the right approach depends on factors such as bone density, gum health and the patient’s overall goals. This is exactly the kind of detail that’s best assessed in person rather than guessed at from a referral letter alone, which is why we always start with a full consultation.
Wider Treatment Support for Your Referred Patients
Referring a patient for implants doesn’t mean losing sight of their broader dental needs. We’re a full service practice, so if other issues come up during assessment, we can either treat them alongside implant care or hand back clear notes so you can manage them in your own practice.
Areas we support include:
- General dentistry, for ongoing oral health needs
- Periodontics, where gum health needs addressing before or after implant treatment
- Gum line correction, for patients with uneven or receded gum tissue
- Surgical extractions, when a failing tooth needs removing before an implant can be placed
- White fillings, for general restorative work
- Preventive care, to keep the rest of the mouth healthy during implant treatment
- Children’s dentistry, for younger family members of referred patients
- Cosmetic dentistry, including tooth whitening, veneers, composite bonding and Invisalign, for patients interested in a wider smile makeover once implant treatment is complete
- Specialist dentistry, for more complex cases requiring additional expertise
You can see our full range of treatments and how they fit together on our treatments page, or find out more about the clinicians involved in implant cases on our meet our team page.
Fees, Finance and Referring Patients Near Guildford, Woking and Godalming
Cost is often one of the first questions patients ask, so it helps to be upfront. Dental implants at Guildford Smiles Dental start from £2,500, with bone grafting or a sinus lift from £500 where needed, and All-on-4 treatment from £12,500. A full breakdown is available on our fee guide, and we’re always happy to talk patients through costs during their consultation.
For patients concerned about paying in one go, we offer 0% APR finance through Tabeo, which spreads the cost over manageable monthly payments. Some patients also find it useful to join our patient plan for ongoing preventive care alongside their implant treatment.
We regularly welcome referred patients from Woking and Godalming, alongside those from Shalford, Merrow and Burpham, as well as further into Guildford itself. If you’re referring from further afield, our central Guildford location at 8 Phoenix Court is generally an easy journey for patients travelling in from either direction, and we’re open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
We also see patients from Shere regularly, and you can read more about how we support that community on our dentist in Shere page, alongside our dedicated dentist in Woking page for patients travelling in from that direction.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can get in touch with our team directly through our contact page or by phone. We’ll confirm receipt of the referral and arrange a consultation appointment for your patient, then keep you updated on their treatment plan.
Yes. Once implant treatment and any restoration work is complete, we typically hand patients back to their general dentist for ongoing check-ups and hygiene care, unless they’d prefer to remain with us.
We use OPG scans and CBCT scans to assess bone volume and structure before recommending a treatment plan. This helps determine whether a bone graft is needed before implant placement.
Yes, bone grafts and sinus lifts are a routine part of our implant service for patients who don’t currently have enough bone density to support an implant.
Timeframes vary depending on the individual case, including whether bone grafting is needed first. Your patient’s dentist here can give a more accurate estimate once assessment is complete.
Yes, our practice at 8 Phoenix Court in Guildford is a straightforward journey from both Woking and Godalming, and we regularly see patients travelling in from these areas as well as Shalford, Merrow and Burpham.
Ready to Refer a Patient?
Dental implants can make a real difference to a patient’s confidence and daily comfort, but getting the assessment and planning right matters. If you have a patient who could benefit from an implant consultation, our team is ready to help, and you can find full details on our dental implants page.
To arrange a referral or ask a question about a specific case, reach out through our contact page, or encourage your patient to book directly via our appointment portal. You can also start from our home page if you’d like a wider view of the practice first. We look forward to working with you.
