A Patient’s Guide to the Cost of Dental Implant Surgery

Whether you've been missing a few teeth for a while or you have to get an infected tooth removed soon, you might be interested in some ways to restore your smile. Fortunately, one way an oral surgeon can help is by filling in gaps with dental implants. This dental treatment is a great way to provide you with replacement teeth that look and feel like the natural, healthy teeth you need to get a smile you can confidently show off.

If this sounds too good to be true, your thoughts might immediately turn to the cost of dental implants. After all, no matter how much of a worthwhile investment oral surgery is, you need to be able to budget for it. So take a look at what you should know about the typical dental implant cost, including how much you'll pay for each step of this treatment and what factors influence the total price.

What's the Average Dental Implant Cost?

First, it's helpful to get a general idea of what you'll pay for dental implants. Even learning a range of costs can let you know whether this type of oral surgery is something you can pay a lump sum for out of pocket right now or if it's a procedure that you might want to make payments on.

Simply put, replacing a single gap in your mouth with a dental implant can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000. If you need to replace a few teeth with dental implants, the cost will be closer to $6,000 to $10,000. And if you need all your teeth replaced with dental implants, expect the cost to total anywhere from $20,000 to $60,000.

As you consider these costs, note that you're not just paying for a dental implant. You're also paying for the minor procedures your oral surgeon will have to do to prepare your mouth for dental implants - and the materials they will use to do so. The following is a breakdown of all the elements that go into the total dental implant cost.

X-Rays - $20 to $200

First, your oral surgeon will have to take x-rays of your mouth to make sure you're a good candidate for dental implants. X-rays can show whether you have enough bone in your jaw for the dental implants to be successful - or if you need a bone graft before the procedure - so you don't want to skip this step.

CT Scan - $250 to $1,000

Your oral surgeon might order a CT scan, either in addition to x-rays or instead of them. A CT scan can provide a 3D image of everything from your bones to the soft tissues and nerves in your mouth, which can help your oral surgeon determine how to proceed with the dental implants.

Tooth Extraction - $75 to $650

If you have an infected or broken tooth that your oral surgeon needs to remove before putting in dental implants, expect to see the cost for tooth extraction on your final bill. Note that this is the price for each tooth your oral surgeon removes.

Bone Grafts - $200 to $3,000

The x-rays and CT scan you get might show bone loss in the jaw, in which case bone grafts will be needed to ensure the dental implants can be put securely in place. Bone grafting involves taking bone from somewhere else and transplanting it into the jaw, creating a solid base to put the dental implant in.

Post - $1,000 to $3,000

The post is one of the most important parts of dental implants, as it serves as the root of the tooth. Your oral surgeon will drill a hole into the bone and securely place the metal post into the hole.

Abutment and Crown - $1,000 to $3,000

The final step in getting dental implants is putting a crown on the post. But first, the oral surgeon will need to place an abutment on the post for the crown to attach to. Then the crown will be placed, and your new, improved smile will be ready to show off.

What Factors Affect Dental Implant Cost?

Now you have some idea about the dental implant cost you can expect if you want to fill in any gaps in your smile. But as with any procedure, there are some factors that can increase or decrease this cost for you. Your location is just one, as some cities have a naturally higher cost of living, and the price of dental implants can reflect this. Another factor is how experienced your oral surgeon is, as one with years of experience and excellent reviews might cost more than average.

The materials your oral surgeon uses for dental implants can also affect the price. For example, the two most common materials for dental implants are titanium and zirconium. Each has a different price, so you can expect your dental implant cost to vary depending on which one your oral surgeon decides is best for you. Finally, the more procedures you need to prepare your mouth for oral surgery, the higher your total cost will be. This means if you need bone grafting, tooth extraction, care for an infection in your mouth, etc., you'll pay more than average.

Fortunately, you may be able to get some help with the overall dental implant cost. First, while dental insurance doesn't typically cover dental implants, most insurance providers pay for some costs, such as x-rays and tooth extraction. Plus, many oral surgeons offer payment plans so you can get dental implants now and pay them off over time.

If you're thinking about getting dental implants and want to know more about the cost of this procedure, Oral Surgery DC can help. Our team is experienced and knowledgeable about dental implants and other oral surgery treatments, so contact us today to learn more!