Dental implants are a popular treatment in Canberra for damaged and missing teeth. They look, feel, and function like natural teeth and offer many benefits, protecting the jawbones, gums, and surrounding teeth. However, dental implants are expensive. As such, it is vital to be well informed about the factors that influence the cost of a dental implant treatment before going ahead with the procedure. There are several aspects that influence how much an implant treatment can cost, which can be confusing. In this article, we’ve broken down all of the factors that will impact the cost to help you ensure you get the right treatment at the right price.
Take our suitability quiz and find out if you qualify for the dental implant procedure.
Five Key Factors That Influence Dental Implant Cost
Dental implant cost is influenced by a variety of factors. These factors make it difficult to make like-for-like cost comparisons. There are five principal aspects that you should consider when searching for and comparing dental implant prices:
1. The Number of Implants
The number of implants you need will depend on your individual circumstances. You won’t require an implant for every single tooth that needs to be replaced.
However, if you need to replace multiple teeth, then you will need more than one implant. As a rule of thumb, using traditional implants, you would need to have eight or more implants to replace a full arch of teeth. Obviously, the more implants required, the higher the cost of your dental implant treatment.
2. The Materials
The type of materials used for your implant will impact the cost. For traditional implants, there will be a cost for the implant itself and the porcelain crown. The implant can be made of either titanium or zirconia. In the case of titanium, this is just for the screw that anchors into the jawbone. Zirconia, on the other hand, is used for one-piece implants, so will include the crown as well. With regards to creating porcelain crowns, there are dental laboratories with varying levels of standards and experience. Confirming where your crown is made and that it meets the necessary safety regulations is vital.
Usually, a quote you will receive for a dental implant will include all of the materials needed. However, it is always best to check. A dental professional should be able to easily show you that the materials used for your implants comply with Australian safety and quality regulations. Using low-cost providers might save you money in the short term, but can lead to discolouration and other complications later on.
3. The Type of Dental Implant
Depending on your needs, a single implant or multiple implants may be recommended by your dentist. Implants are a popular option for replacing a single missing tooth. However, implants are also used for replacing multiple teeth or for a full bridge. An implant-supported full bridge looks and functions like natural teeth and is designed to be long-lasting. They are also more comfortable and stable than conventional dentures. However, the cost is more expensive than conventional dentures.
4. Your Individual Circumstances
One of the biggest factors influencing the cost of dental implants is a patient’s individual circumstances. Every patient is different, as is every procedure, which makes comparing dental implant cost particularly complicated. The following factors can add complexity to dental implant treatment, which impacts the price:
-
Number of visits required – dental implant cost will include the number of dental visits you need before the procedure is complete. This will include the likes of oral exams and tooth extractions, as well as the implant procedure itself.
-
Jawbone thickness – traditional implants are embedded into the jawbone, but some patients don’t have enough to give the required strength. Bone grafting can be used to resolve the situation, but again adds time and cost to the procedure.
-
Healing time – it can take anywhere from three to nine months for the jawbone to heal and fuse with the implant. If a patient needs a long time to heal, they may need a denture or bridge to be made up during the interim period.
-
Complications – unfortunately, while dental implants have a very high success rate, some do fail. If an implant fails, there will be further cost implications. It may be that a larger implant is required or alternative treatment necessary.
5. The Skill and Experience of The Implant Dentist
Dental implant surgery is a complicated process that should only be performed by dentists who have carried out extensive training in Implant dentistry. While choosing a dentist who is highly qualified might cost a little more in the short term, it is the only way to ensure that you will get the best treatment, with the best materials and the longest-lasting results.
Dentists who aren’t qualified won’t have the experience to perform dental implant surgery to a high standard. You will want to ensure your dentist has undertaken the training, giving them the right level of theoretical and practical experience.
The Cost of Dental Implants
While it isn’t easy to directly compare the cost of dental implants, it’s worthwhile knowing the average you can expect to pay. Your quote will vary based on all of the factors we’ve mentioned. However, you can expect the average cost of dental implants to fall somewhere in the following range:
- Straightforward single tooth implant – $5,500
- More complicated single tooth implant – $10,000
- Implant-supported full bridge – $15,000 – $30,000
How to Manage the Cost of Dental Implants
Dental implants are a significant investment, and the upfront cost can be a lot to manage. Fortunately, there are ways to manage the cost and ensure you get the treatment you need.
- Dental insurance – implants aren’t covered by Medicare or general dental coverage insurance. Major dental coverage policies do cover teeth implants, although it’s necessary to read the small print to ensure the annual limits will cover the procedure needed. The plan may also need to be in place for up to a year before you undergo the procedure.
- Payment plans – there are various payment plans and finance options available. For example, Humm, a buy now pay later service, lets you choose the repayment time scale and amounts. Having a finance option or payment plan in place can help you get the treatment you need sooner, while making the payments manageable.
- Superannuation – if your condition is serious and causing you significant pain, it may be possible to use your superannuation fund on compassionate grounds.
To fully evaluate dental implant cost, the best place to start is to seek advice from an experienced dentist. You can then get a better understanding of your individual circumstances, the options available to you, and what the treatment will cost. While dental implants are a significant up-front investment, they can save you money over time.
Ready to schedule your Free Implant Consultation?
Simply pick up the phone and call us at
Book a FREE Dental Implant Assessment
Find out if dental implants are a suitable treatment for you. We will examine your mouth, eliminate all risk factors and assess the correct course of treatment.
