How Much Are Dental Implants?

Losing a tooth is hard enough without the cost being involved. Unfortunately, there is a cost to getting a dental implant, and you may think you need to break the piggy bank—a huge piggy bank—to pay it off.

The truth is that the cost of an implant depends on a variety of factors. You’re probably asking a lot of questions, like whether you need a denture or an implant. The main difference is that dentures are removable, whereas an implant is fixed in place and can be thought of more like an artificial tooth, making it more expensive. Read on to get the answers to questions like how much do full mouth dental implants cost, and more.

What Are the Main Factors of the Costs

When the question “what is the price of dental implants” comes up, the answer is not a simple figure. There are various cost factors to take into account like:

• The dentist doing the implant. This price point includes the overhead of the dentist, the location of the dentist (some people travel abroad for cheaper dental care), and the individual fee. Also, if your dentist has more experience, then they are more likely to charge more.

• The patient’s condition and preliminary procedures needed. The cost also depends on the patient’s gum and jawbone condition. Should you need any preparatory work done for implants, like tooth extraction or bone grafting, this could also increase costs.

• Anaesthesia options. Getting an implant is an invasive operation, and you will need something to numb the pain. The price can depend on the type of anaesthesia you need.

• The materials used in the implant. Implants are often made with titanium or zirconium, and the quality of the materials used for the implant will also affect their price.

• The laboratory your dentist works with. The cost of the crown can also vary depending on the laboratory your dentist collaborates with, as some can charge more than others.

• Customization and individual characteristics of the implant. There is no one-size-fits-all option with implants, as they are customized for each person. This is why the cost will vary from patient to patient.

Price Range of Dental Implants

Because no two dental implant procedures are the same, the costs will vary depending on the type of implant you get and the treatment that accompanies it, like the dental implant installation or 3D imaging used in a dental exam.

Single-Tooth Implant

The idea of buying an implant can be misleading. You don’t just get an implant—the metal or ceramic part implanted into the jawbone. You also need an abutment, which attaches the crown to the implant, and of course, the crown itself. So, how much do dental implants cost per tooth? According to the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute cost survey, the cost for all three of these and the accompanying procedures is between $3,100 to $5,800.

Multiple-Teeth Implant

When replacing multiple teeth next to each other, there are more options that can help lower your costs. For example, if you need to fill a gap of three or four neighboring teeth, a bridge can be used instead, making the figure range from $6,000 to $10,000, because two implants can support more than one tooth.

Full Mouth Implant

The most expensive option is a full mouth implant, which replaces each tooth individually and can cost $60,000 to $90,000. If you need all your teeth replaced, the All-on-4 implant, which uses four to six implants in the upper and lower jaw to support full arches of false teeth, is typically less, costing between $24,000 to $50,000.

As you can see, the price range for implants fluctuates considerably depending on the type.

What Does the Price of Dental Implants Include

The price of dental implants can seem costly. So, why are dental implants so expensive?

• An implant expert or surgeon. An implant isn’t like a simple tooth extraction or a filling, it’s considered surgery. You need a specialist — a dentist with implantology training, an oral surgeon, or a prosthodontist — to do it, so you’re paying for their expertise.

• Consultations and examinations. Before you can have the surgery, you will need to visit your dentist, get X-rays, a diagnosis (whether the implant is necessary) and a prognosis.

• Implant insertion. This is the cost of actually putting the implant in when a hole is drilled into the jawbone and the implant is inserted.

• Abutment placement. Once the gum has healed after the implantation, an abutment is screwed onto the implant and a temporary crown is applied. Sometimes this can go onto the implant when it’s inserted.

• Permanent crown. The temporary crown is removed and replaced with a permanent one.

Are the Costs of Dental Implants Covered Under Insurance?

How much do dental implants cost with insurance? It depends on your dental plan. Some plans include insurance for implants, but others don’t. Most dental insurance plans cover $1,500 per implant per year, so if the procedure of getting your implant spreads across two years, you may be able to claim $3,000 for it. There are also flexible spending accounts (FSAs), health reimbursement accounts (HRAs), and health savings accounts (HSAs) that cover dental implants—either paying for the implant outright or reimbursing the cost. Check with your insurance companies—both medical and dental—before taking steps to get an implant.

Although the prices for implants can seem daunting, don’t let the them put you off. Think of dental implants as a lifetime investment. They can last permanently if you take care of them. Check with your insurance provider to find out the options you have.