Understanding Dental Implant Costs and How to Pay for Them

Every year in the United States, more than 5 million dental implants are placed by dentists.

Dental implants are one of the best options to replace a broken, unhealthy, or damaged tooth. However, it’s not a child's play to easily cover the cost of these procedures because you might end up paying somewhere between $3,000 to $4,500, and this is not even the final cost. If we talk about the cost of multiple implants, you’re in for a hefty surprise.

So, to fully understand how much dental implants cost, what are the factors affecting the cost, and inexpensive options to help you replace damaged teeth, keep reading on. 

How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?

For multiple implants, the cost runs between $60,000 and $90,000, and the cost per tooth is somewhere between $3,000 and $4,500. However, these numbers are not fixed. Different elements determine the final cost. To list a few: 

• Dental examination procedures
• Teeth extraction 
• Dental implants installation 
• Hardware placement
• Making and placement of a dental crown

Besides these elements, additional factors such as no. of implants needed, the surgeon’s experience, and many other factors affect the total price. The bottom line? You need to consider every factor beforehand. 

Number of Implants Required: Each implant requires special materials and procedures; therefore, the more implants you have, the more time and money it takes.

Type of Implant: Various implants come in different sizes and materials, which can significantly impact the complexity and cost of the procedure. Also, some types of implants need extra, professional attention, leading to an increase in price.

Experience of the Surgeon: Of course, dentists who have had a lot of experience and training can give you really good results. Generally, these dentists charge more, but their implants work better and last longer. 

Associated Treatments: Placing an implant can be complicated. It might need extra treatments such as X-rays, sinus lifts, bone grafts, tooth extraction, etc. For instance, if there isn't sufficient gum tissue remaining for the implant, we may need to perform gum augmentation procedures. 

Quality of Materials Used: Using high-quality materials for dental implants is crucial because it impacts how well the treatment works and lasts. While top-notch materials may cost more upfront costs, they offer better results and are more reliable in the long run. Plus, these procedures are non-invasive and leave more room for faster recoveries. 

Cost Of A Single Tooth Implant

A single tooth implant requires a wide range of elements, for instance, a ceramic screw, an abutment, and sometimes even a sinus lift. This is to say that each element has a separate fee, adding up to a total range of somewhere between $3,100 to $5,800.

Cost Of A Multiple Tooth Implant

If you have several neighboring teeth to replace, you'll find more implant options available, which means there are different pricing possibilities.

For instance, if you're missing three or four teeth in a row, you might consider using a bridge secured by only two implants. With two implants supporting three or four adjacent teeth, it's comparatively more economical than installing four individual implants. 

This choice could reduce the total cost by a considerable margin. Thus, costing you somewhere between $6,000 to $10,000.

Cost Of Full Mouth Dental Implant

In this case, the pricing structure varies quite a bit because when it comes to replacing all your teeth, be ready to shell out somewhere between $60,000 - $90,000. On the contrary, a more budget-friendly option, widely termed as All-on-4 will cost you somewhere between $24,000 to $50,000. Overall, it depends on the type of approach you require to achieve the desired results. 

To put things into perspective, below is a complete breakdown of dental implant costs for you: 

Types of Implants	Cost
Single Tooth Implant	$3,100 to $5,800
Multiple Tooth Implant	$6,000 to $10,000
Full Mouth Implant	$60,000 to $90,000
All-On-4-Implant	$24,000 to $50,000

Why Do Dental Implants Cost So Much?

Dental implants are a great way to replace deformed or unfit teeth as it’s one of the top-of-the-line procedures out there. However, just like any excellent procedure comes with a hefty tag, dental implants can cost you a lot of money too. 

Expertise of the Specialist: Dental implants aren't as simple as getting a tooth pulled or filled. Most importantly, it is considered a surgery, so you need a specialist, namely, an oral surgeon or a prosthodontist. You pay for their skill and knowledge.

Implant Surgery: This is when the dentist drills into your jawbone and places the implant. So, here you’re paying for the cost divided across separate elements included in the surgery.

Consultations and Examinations: Before the surgery, you'll visit your dentist for checkups and X-rays to determine if you need an implant and if it's feasible.

Permanent Crown: The temporary crown is replaced with a permanent one to complete the implant.

Abutment Placement: After the gum heals, a piece called an abutment is attached to the implant, and a temporary crown might be placed on top.

Given these points, it is easy to determine why the cost of implants is so high. In addition, the expenses may include medical prescriptions such as painkillers or antibiotics. 

Is Insurance Likely To Cover The Cost Of Dental Implants?

Many insurance companies see dental implants as a cosmetic procedure and not necessary for health, so they won't pay for them. But if you're missing teeth, you know how important they are for your health and happiness.

Getting insurance to cover your dental implant cost might mean using both medical and dental coverage, depending on why you need them. To find out if your insurance covers implants, you need to know the different parts of the treatment and how much preparation you need to do beforehand. 

Various aspects of the procedure encompass:

• Tooth extraction
• Bone grafting
• Placing the implant
• Placing the artificial tooth

Some dental insurance plans cover 50% of major services, like implants. A few plans cover implants outright. If yours doesn't, it might still pay for some parts, like a crown, but not the implant itself. Even with insurance, the yearly limit might not cover all your costs.

The Final Words

Although dental implants are a good way to replace missing or unhealthy teeth, they can cost you a fortune. The exact price of a tooth implant isn't always clear-cut. It might vary based on the treatments you need, the dentist you choose, where you live, and other additional elements included in the process itself. 

So, when it comes to covering the dental implant cost, research a bit, and consult your dentist if they have a payment plan option because relying on insurance will not help you cover the entire cost. 

For example, Credee—a one-of-a-kind payment plan solution used by different dental professionals to help patients manage dental costs over time. Plus, Credee offers NO CREDIT CHECK payment plans for that added ease.  

FAQs

1. How Much Is Single Tooth Implant Cost without Insurance?

Getting a single tooth dental implant without insurance might set you back anywhere from $3,100 to $5,800 on average. But if you need more teeth done, or require extra procedures, the price could go even higher.

2. How Much Is A Tooth Implant Cost?

The price of a dental implant can vary based on factors like the materials used, how many implants you need, and the expertise of the surgeon. Generally, you can expect the cost to fall somewhere between $3,000 and $4,500 for a single dental implant.

3. Does Medical Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

If you can show that the treatment is needed for your health and send all the paperwork to the correct company, they might pay for your implants. You'll have to go to a special dentist called an oral surgeon, who can write a letter explaining why you need the implants. Make sure you understand how your insurance works before you start.

4. How Much Is The Cheapest Set Of Dental Implants?

A removable dental implant is the cheapest option, which usually costs between $11,000 and $15,000 for each jaw. It doesn't include as many expensive materials or elements, so it's more affordable.