What do dental implants cost?

The cost of dental implants can vary significantly, depending on several factors. Some of these factors include:

The complexity of the case.

The position of the implant in your mouth.

The type and brand of implant used.

The skill level and experience of the doctor.

The geographic location of the doctor.

Let's look at each of these factors individually. The more complicated a case is, the more expensive the procedure will be. Factors that can complicate a dental implant treatment include a lack of adequate bone in the area which will require bone reconstruction; the presence of soft tissue defects (i.e., not enough gum tissue); the angulation of the jaw bone; and the presence of anatomical landmarks.

All of these factors increase treatment time, which increases treatment costs.

The position of the implant in the mouth can also be a factor when calculating costs. An implant placed in the front part of the mouth requires more skill and attention to make it look aesthetically pleasing (i.e., like a real tooth) than one in the back of the mouth. Thus, aesthetic implants cost more than implants requiring less attention to aesthetics.

The brand of the implant can also play a factor in the fee. Like any other product, there are various brands of implants. Some brands have 30 plus years of research and multi-million dollar companies behind them, and some others are newer to the market and have a "mom and pop" style company behind them.

The more reputable brands of implants can cost five times as much as the other ones so when a doctor uses brand implants the patient will pay slightly more for the implant (it is usually only a bit more--most reputable doctors absorb the additional cost of the good brand implants in order to have the peace of mind that comes with it).

The skill and experience level also may play a role. An experienced doctor may charge more for his services. But, on the other hand, an experienced doctor can save you money by doing the procedures more efficiently and with fewer complications.

The physical location of the dental practice can also play a role. For example, doctors tend to charge more in Manhattan, than in Atlanta. That said, here are the directions to our Beverly Hills office.

So, what are the average fees for implants around the country? Well, remember that dental implants have three components:

The implant itself, which is a substitute for the root of the tooth.

The abutment - this is a second post that connects the crown to the implant.

The crown - this is the part that shows and is used to bite with.

Please click here for a dental implants illustration. The implant can range from $1500 to $3000. The abutment can range from $400 to $800. The crown can range from $800 to $2000.

These fees are per implant, so to replace a tooth it can cost from as low as $2700 up to $5800 depending on the situation, the brand of the implant and where you live. These fees do not include bone or gum grafting if those are needed. So, which doctor do you go to if one charges $1000 for an implant and another charges $2000? The simple answer is: whomever is going to charge you less in the long run.

If a doctor charges $1000, but uses a poor-quality implant or risks your dental health with poor technique, the procedure may end up costing you another $3000 to $4000 to fix and/or repair.

Usually with dental implants, you have only one shot at getting it done correctly, so when you choose your doctor don't just look at the initial cost--look at the longterm success record.

For more information on finding the right doctor for you, please see our guide to Choosing an Excellent Dental Surgeon.

If you have any other questions or comments regarding this article, please contact us at (310) 553-2940 or by email at periodontics@earthlink.net.