The Average Cost of Dental Implants: What You Need to Know

The average cost of dental implants won’t necessarily help patients know what it would cost for them individually. There are many things that determine what every patient will end up paying, so if you’re considering having dental implants placed, it would be best to see a prosthodontist and ask for an estimate of what it will cost you.

A prosthodontist is a dentist who has specialized in the field of dental prosthetics. This means they’re the experts when it comes to making and fitting crowns, bridges, veneers, and implants.

To determine whether or not implants are the best option for you, here are a few things you should consider.

Determining the average cost of dental implants

The base cost of a dental implant is the price for the implant procedure alone. When not taking additional procedures into consideration, the following variables influence the base cost:

• The expertise of the practitioner performing the implant: While more experienced practitioners are usually more expensive, going to the most qualified professional will minimize the risk involved.
• Materials used: Implants can be made from either titanium or zirconium. Both your choice of materials and the quality of the materials used will affect the price.
• Preparation procedures: Tooth extractions or bone grafting may be necessary before you can place the implant. This all depends on the health of your teeth and jawbone. But the more procedures you need, the more the implant will cost in total.
• Number of implants needed: When patients need more than one or two implants, dentists are often able to use dental bridges or mount dentures on implants. These options can lower the cost per tooth.
• Laboratory cost: Technicians who make the implants don’t all charge the same amount for their work.
• Geographical location: The cost of implants can vary depending on where the practice is located. Not only are implants cheaper in some other countries, but also within the US the cost varies depending on location. This is because the cost of rent and other expenses will be higher in certain areas.

What is the cost of dental implants?

The price of dental implants varies with materials and procedures, so it’s difficult to give an exact cost, unless a consultation and assessment is done first. As a result, the best way to determine the actual cost of your dental implant is to ask a prosthodontist for their quote.

According to Dental Implant Cost Guide, the average dental implant in the US costs about $4,250 for both the abutment and jaw implant. But the cost of an implant can range anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000, depending on your dentist.

Breaking it down

When looking at the pieces that make up the final price and breaking it down into its various parts, you should expect:

• The initial surgery for placing the implant screw into the jaw will cost between $1,650 and $3,000.
• Then the abutment used for mounting the crown costs between $300 to $500
• Finally, the crown (which is the part of the implant that looks like a tooth) could end up costing anywhere between $1,000 and $3,000.

Adding up all these numbers, the lowest cost is $2,950 for a single implant while the highest cost would be $6,500. While there’s a pretty big gap between the highest and the lowest price, those are all considered normal. Patients living in large metropolitan areas can expect to pay a mid-range to high price ($4,000 to $6,500) while patients in small cities and towns will pay low to mid-range prices ($2,900–$4,500 per implant).

Additional costs

Listed below are some additional procedures that might be required:

• X-rays
• CT Scans
• Tooth extractions
• Bone grafts
• Surgical guides
• Barrier membranes

All of these, when required, will add to the final cost of dental implants. But it’s hard to say by how much. For example, a simple tooth extraction can add about $100 to $200 to the price of the procedure. Surgical tooth extractions can cost even more—anywhere between $180 to $400.

Replacing many teeth with implants

Dental implants can also be used to support bridges and dentures. The average cost of a complete set of dentures supported by dental implants (also known as All-on-4 implants) is between $35,000 to $60,000 in the United States.

For more information about the procedures used to put dental implants in place, check out our blog posts “Dental Implants 101” and “All-on-4 Dental Implants.”

Paying for dental implants

Dental implants have a high success rate and with proper care should last a lifetime. They’re a great long-term investment. They might be the most successful treatment in dentistry.

An increasing number of insurance companies are beginning to recognize the long-term benefits of dental implants and provide some help toward their cost. So, it’s worth asking if your insurance company would cover them in any way. They may even provide the cost they would have paid for dentures or a bridge and put it toward your dental implants.

We also work with CareCredit, which offers low monthly payment plans for health care procedures that are not commonly covered by insurance, like dental implants.

Talk to us

At Dr. Stone’s, we offer complimentary consultations to prospective patients. We think good information should be free. And we think it makes a big difference to talk through your questions face-to-face with the person who’s going to do the work.

Dr. Stone has been practicing in Ft. Lauderdale for more than 30 years and would love to use his expertise to help you make the right decision for you. Schedule your appointment today!