Dental implants are an option for repairing gaps and missing teeth in your smile. The implants are permanently placed in your jaw to fit a crown or cap in place of the missing tooth. The procedure for a dental implant is quite intense and requires multiple office visits over several months. The typical cost of dental implants is thousands of dollars. If you’re wondering why dental implants cost so much, check out the breakdown below to see what factors go into your dentist’s quoted price.
Single Tooth Implants
If you have just one tooth missing, you might only need a single tooth implant. The price for one dental implant can range between $1,500 and $6,000 without insurance. If you have dental insurance, it may cover a portion of the procedure.
Multiple Dental Implants
The cost of multiple dental implants varies greatly because there are a number of factors to consider, including the number of teeth missing, their locations and the health of your mouth. In general, the cost is between $6,000 and $10,000 for two to four dental implants.
Full Mouth Dental Implants
Full mouth dental implants replace all of the teeth on the upper or lower jaw. These differ from multiple implants because instead of placing an implant for each tooth, all of the new teeth can be supported on a single plate that uses four implants. When people are considering dental implants or dentures, they love the permanence of implants over the need for adhesives with dentures. The typical cost of full mouth dental implants can reach up to $30,000 without insurance.
Crowns and Abutments
The dental implant is actually the threaded screw that fits into your jaw. The post and artificial tooth are separate components. The abutment is the post that screws into the implant and creates a base to place a crown. The abutment costs between $275 and $450. The crown can cost between $1,000 and $3,000.
Diagnostic Images
Before your dentist or oral surgeon can place dental implants, they’ll need to take X-rays or CT scans. These images allow them to see your jaw clearly and serve as the blueprint for the procedure. Diagnostic images cost between $25 and $750 depending on the number of images they need.
Tooth Extractions
In some instances, you might need to have a tooth or teeth removed before your dentist can place a dental implant. The average cost for tooth extraction varies greatly. Some extractions only require local anesthesia while others require general anesthesia. Additionally, complicated procedures cost more. The cost for a tooth extraction ranges between $75 and $200 per tooth. Removing extensively impacted teeth costs between $800 to $4,000.
Bone Grafts
You must have enough bone in your jaw to support the implant. If you don’t, your oral surgeon will need to perform a bone graft surgery. This procedure uses bone fragments from another part of your body, synthetic bone or bones from other sources. Bone fragments harvested from your body require two separate surgeries and are the most expensive. Charges for bone grafts cost between $400 and $1,200.
Experience of the Dentist or Surgeon
The experience of your dentist or surgeon also plays a role in the cost of dental implants. Inexperienced dentists under the supervision of a skilled professional can provide dental school implants. These are the most affordable dental implants, typically with a cost of around $500. The price for a dental implant from an experienced surgeon can cost up to $2,000. Additionally, you should expect charges from an anesthesiologist at around $500 to $800 per hour.
Dental implants are a big investment, but they last a lifetime once they’re in place. Some dental offices offer low-income dental implants on a sliding scale or payment plan to make dental implants affordable.
Resource Links:
- What is The Cost of Single Tooth Implant? via Omega Dental Specialists
- Full Mouth Dental Implants Cost via John T. Green DDS Inc.
- When do you need dental X-rays? How much do X-rays cost? via Authority Dental
- What to Expect During a Tooth Extraction via Healthline
- What You Need To Know About A Dental Bone Graft via Healthline
