How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?
If you’re thinking about getting dental implants, there’s probably one concern that’s top of mind: How much do implants actually cost? Implants are a significant investment, but the result is life-changing. And new payment options are bringing the cost within reach of more people every day.
What’s the Average Cost of Dental Implants?
As a ballpark industry average, each single tooth implant typically costs between $3,500 and $5,000 per tooth. Full-mouth dental implants cost between $60,000 and $100,000 on average.
Dental implantation requires the assistance of dentists, oral surgeons, lab technicians, and other dental professionals who work in tandem to ensure a stellar result. There are multiple procedures involved, spread over several months. The full course of treatment requires tremendous expertise and precision, and so it costs more than most other restorative procedures. However, patients who invest in dental implants almost never regret it.
There are some cost-effective alternatives to traditional implants. For instance, All-on-Four implants and All-on-Six implants are becoming a popular solution for people who require several or full-mouth implants. A full set of upper or lower implants is anchored to the jaw in as little as one day using four to six posts. The result looks just as natural as traditional implants but can often cost half of what you’d pay for the same number of individual implants.
The Factors Influencing Dental Implant Costs
It’s difficult to provide a fair estimate of how much dental implants cost because there are so many factors influencing the price tag. For instance, your own dental implant cost can vary depending on:
The cost of your CT scans and other dental exams
How many dental implants you require
Whether or not you require any tooth extractions
The condition of your surrounding teeth and gums
Whether or not you require a bone graft, sinus lift, or other pre-treatment
The expertise of your dental practitioner
Where your dental practitioner is located
The types of materials used for the post, abutment, and crown
Once all of these variables have been determined, you’ll generally need to undergo three separate procedures:
The post placement. This is the surgical part of the process. An oral surgeon drills the post into the jawbone. Over a period of several months, the post fuses with the bone in a process known as osseointegration.
The abutment placement. The abutment attaches to the top of the post; it’s the cradle that holds the artificial tooth (the crown) in place. Additional surgery is generally required to clear away gum tissue so that the abutment can be fastened to the post.
The crown placement. Finally, the crown is placed into the abutment and the dental implant procedure is complete.
Throughout the dental implant process, your dentist will monitor your progress with regular checkups to ensure that the healing goes smoothly. It’s important to note that implant failure is extremely rare. Across all types of dental implants, the failure rate is below 3%—and the rate is even lower still when you work with an experienced dental professional who specializes in the procedure and takes all of the necessary precautions to ensure that you would be a good candidate.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Dental implants are designed to last a lifetime with proper care. The actual post, or screw, should never need replacement so long as you practice proper dental hygiene (brush and floss daily, and see your dentist at least twice a year).
The crown experiences a lot of wear and tear, so you might have to replace it every 15 to 20 years. This is a simple and straightforward procedure. The old crown is removed from the abutment and replaced with a new one.
How to Pay for Dental Implants
If the price of dental implants seems out of reach, it’s important to note that there are now more payment options than ever before. For instance, most dentists offer financing through companies like CareCredit. Rather than having to pay for the full procedure up front, you can make flexible monthly payments that bring the treatment within reach.
In addition, there are options like health reimbursement accounts (HRAs), flexible spending accounts (FSAs), and health savings accounts (HSAs) available for many patients. It never hurts to schedule a consultation. Your dentist can lay out all of the options that are available to you and help you to determine if implants are a financially viable option.
Does Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
Your dental insurance provider might cover a portion of the cost of dental implants, but there are no guarantees. While the number of insurers who cover implants is constantly increasing, a lot of insurance providers still won’t help out. That’s because dental implants are still largely considered an elective procedure. Many insurers would rather cover dentures (or a portion thereof) because they cost less—even if they also come with fewer advantages.
If your dental insurance does cover implants, it will generally be a portion of the total cost. For instance, some insurers will reimburse you for $1,500 per implant in a given year. This can add up to significant savings, so it never hurts to contact your insurance provider and determine your options for affordable dental implants.
Don’t Let the Cost of Implants Hold You Back
If you’ve been thinking about replacing your missing teeth but you’re concerned about the cost, consider the potential benefits: no more trouble chewing, no more jawbone deterioration, greater confidence, and a picture-perfect smile that can last a lifetime.
Get a consultation to see if implant placement is right for you. You’ll discover the exact cost of your dental implants, and you might just learn about payment options and affordable treatment solutions you never knew existed. It all starts with a phone call.
