It’s only natural to want to know how much dental implants cost if you’re weighing up your treatment options to replace a missing or damaged tooth. The thing is, unlike a dental check-up, there is no set price, as each case is different. This blog discusses the factors that affect dental implant cost and what could be involved in your procedure. Let’s get started.
Meanwhile, you’ve nothing to lose if you get a free consultation at your local dental clinic to find out if dental implants are a suitable treatment for you.
What are dental implants exactly?
A dental implant is the gold standard of tooth replacement. Why? Because it is the only form of tooth replacement that replaces the entire tooth, including the root. Getting a dental implant involves surgery as the implant is inserted deep into the jawbone at the site of the missing tooth. During the ensuing recovery period, the surrounding bone grows over the implant post in a natural process known as osseointegration to become a permanent fixture in the mouth – just like a natural tooth.
Once the fusion between bone and implant has successfully occurred, the implant serves as a robust foundation offering support for a dental crown, bridge, or denture, depending on the patient’s replacement needs.
So how much do dental implants cost?
Single dental implant cost
The latest figures reveal that a single dental implant costs, on average, up to $5,514 per tooth, so chances are you could pay at least this amount.
Multiple dental implants cost
Fortunately, missing teeth are not replaced on a like-for-like basis with dental implants. Instead, patients can receive a fixed arch of replacement teeth – All-on-4 dental implants – which costs between $23,000 to $27,000.
How does a bone graft affect dental implant cost?
An implant must be placed in dense, healthy bone to stand the best possible chance of success. A bone graft will be necessary before dental implant surgery if you have suffered bone loss due to missing teeth. This will add to the overall cost of treatment and could bring the price to around $11,000 per implant.
It’s a good idea to book a free dental consultation near you to receive a more accurate dental implant cost should you need a bone graft. Click here to get more information.
Other factors that affect how much dental implants cost
Here are a few factors that influence dental implant cost
Materials and components
Most dental implants are titanium because they integrate with bone to become part of the body. While most people are okay with titanium, patients are sensitive to titanium or its metal alloys in rare cases. A solution is to opt for zirconia implants, a form of ceramic that is more expensive than titanium.
Then there are the dental implants themselves. It’s difficult to say how much your dental implants will cost without knowing how many will be required. Sometimes a single dental implant can replace one or two missing teeth, but if a person is missing most of their teeth, they will need complete arch restoration, which escalates the cost.
Bone augmentation
Like natural teeth, dental implants rely on the bone for strength and support. CT scans will reveal the density of a patient’s jawbone; if it is found to be thin, a bone graft will be required to regenerate new growth. Ultimately this adds time and money to the overall dental implant procedure.
Tooth extraction
Damaged teeth may need to be removed by the dentist, which in most cases is a straightforward, uncomplicated procedure and often allows an implant to be placed on the same day as the extraction. However, a more complex issue may require the services of an oral surgeon in a hospital setting, which will bump up the dental implants cost.
Do dental implants cost less overseas?
Yes, they do. But it’s vital to research your chosen clinic to garner patient feedback. While the thought of dental implants in Thailand with a holiday thrown in may sound tempting, cheap implants can mean shoddy materials, inexperienced dentists, questionable infection controls, and no recourse should complications occur when you return home.
Final thoughts
While the cost of dental implants is undeniably high, they have the potential to last for a lifetime with good care. When you consider that other restoration options like dentures will need regular adjustments for a better fit and replacement every five years, dental implants can be a long-term, cost-effective solution.
If you’d like to know more about dental implants and the costs involved, why not schedule an appointment with a dentist that offers a free consultation? Contact Complete Dental, and we can answer your questions and concerns.
Coorparoo: (07) 3801 6503
Elanora: (07) 5235 8199
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner
References
KrKovic – Everything You Need To Know About Osseointegration
https://www.limbreconstructions.com/blog-posts/everything-you-need-to-know-about-osseointegration
Smile.com – How much does a dental implant cost
https://www.smile.com.au/dental-treatments/implants#:~:text=Dental%20Implant%20Treatment-,How%20Much%20Does%20A%20Dental%20Implant%20Cost%3F,between%20%243%2C000%20%2D%20%245%2C500%20per%20tooth.
Dentaly.org – Zirconia vs Titanium Dental Implants: Which is the Better Option?
https://www.dentaly.org/us/teeth-implants-cost/zirconia-vs-titanium-implants/