Cost of Dental Implants

How much does a dental implant cost?

The short answer is “It depends.”

What does it depend on?

• the location of the implant in the jaw
• whether the bone has been resorbed and requires bone grafting
• any other health conditions that might cause complications
• the cost of the actual implant and crown
• the doctor’s experience and expertise

Placing a dental implant require several steps, generally involving your Dentist and Surgeon.

• Consultation if necessary
• Extraction
• Bone graft or site preservation if necessary
• Placing the Dental Implant – the titanium “tooth root,” done by your Surgeon
• Placing the Crown – the porcelain “tooth,” done by your Dentist
• Office visits as necessary

Single Implants can range in cost for $1,500 to $2,400, but circumstances can drive that higher. Full-mouth Reconstructive Dental Implants can run from $10,000 to $20,000.

Continuing Cost of Bridges and Dentures

While Bridges and Dentures are less expensive than implant restorations at the outset, you should consider that they often lead to considerable continuing expenses. Bridges, by their structure, cut down the neighboring abutment teeth - which can lead to weakness and repeated treatments. The average life expectancy for conventional bridge work is seven years. Dentures cannot preserve the jaw bone the way Dental Implants can, so the jaw shrinks as the bone is resorbed, leading to ill-fitting Dentures and repeated rounds of re-fitting and re-placing. Over a lifetime, Dental Implants can be a better value while providing a superior functional and esthetic restoration.

Financing for Dental Implants

First, check with your dental insurance carrier to see what portion, if any, of dental implants they cover.

There are health care credit companies that offer no-interest and low-interest loans for medical procedures including dental implants.

Dental Implants are an investment in your health as well as your appearance. A full set of teeth makes eating a pleasure again, making it easier to eat a balanced, healthy diet. A full set of teeth also preserves the contours of the face, keeping you from looking old before your time.

You’ll want to discuss all your options with your dentist and oral surgeon, but don’t let the initial cost discourage you from getting Dental Implants.