Quick answer:
The average cost of dental implants is estimated at $3,000 - $4,500 for a single tooth. But many factors affect the real cost, such as complexity and insurance coverage.
While there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution in implant dentistry, and it’s hard to know how much your exact restoration will cost, your dentist can provide a more accurate estimate.
But wait:
Before you start calculating the cost, you should understand what dental implants are…
They’re an investment in your oral health and overall health.
Dental implants are the top dentist-preferred method of replacing missing teeth because they do more than fill a gap.
The truth is dental implants provide a natural look and feel, along with the necessary structural support your mouth needs. A titanium post is placed in the location of the missing tooth, and it fuses with the jawbone for permanent tooth restoration.
An abutment and custom-crafted crown are then placed on top of the post to complete the restoration, enabling you to eat and speak normally.
At
SF Perio & Implants,
we offer different tooth replacements but want to explain the
dental implant process. This way, you’ll get a better idea of investing in your oral health with dental implants.
What affects the cost of dental implants?
The long answer:
The cost of dental implants varies depending on each person and his or her unique treatment plan.
We’re often asked,
“What is the average cost of dental implants?” It’s hard to provide an accurate answer with so many factors at play.
Factors that affect dental implant cost include:
- The number of implants and crowns needed
- The type of teeth needed to replace and their location
- The complexity of the case and if additional procedures like bone grafting are needed
- Dental insurance coverage and financing options
The cost of a single tooth replacement is much different than the cost of full dental implants. This is obvious because of the amount of work needed to complete.
Some less obvious factors that affect cost include the prep work required before surgery, such as jaw shaping or bone grafting to ensure adequate jawbone.
Just a reminder:
Tooth loss causes bone loss in the jaw over time, especially if there are multiple missing teeth.
So the sooner a missing tooth is replaced, the better!
The cost of dental implants explained
When we speak of the dental implant cost, we refer to the procedure as a whole. So what does
dental implant surgery entail?
It’s more than just the tooth replacement visible in the mouth.
A dental implant procedure includes:
- The insertion of a metal post into the missing tooth socket. This fuses with the jawbone and works as a tooth root to permanently hold the replacement (AKA the crown).
- The placement of the abutment. This will connect the tooth replacement to the metal post that’s implanted.
- Restoring a custom crown, which looks like a natural tooth and fits perfectly into your mouth (in terms of style, shape, and color).
Depending on the number of teeth needed, your dentist may recommend a single implant, partial implant, or a full set. Understandably, costs vary for each option. Full dental implants cost more than a single tooth replacement, and there are other variables at play.
A full set of implants can require as little as four implants to support a set of teeth for the upper or lower arch (called All on 4 implants or
implant-supported dentures).
This means four metal posts are attached to the jaw vs. a single post for one tooth replacement - extra prep work is partially why All on 4 dental implants cost more.
It’s a lot to take in, we know.
To summarize, the amount of prep work and the number of custom-crafted teeth needed all contribute to a dental implant procedure's overall cost.
Need dental implants in San Francisco, CA?
If you’re trying to find the dental implant cost for your tooth replacement, then take the first step and
schedule a complimentary consultation with our San Francisco periodontists at SF Perio & Implants.
We’ll start with an initial consultation to determine if you’re a
candidate for dental implants - we require a patient to be in good overall health with healthy gums and sufficient jawbone to proceed with dental implant surgery.
Then we’ll create a customized plan to restore your smile. Dental implants are the top way of replacing a missing tooth or multiple missing teeth, but we offer alternative options.
Benefits of implants include a natural look and feel, permanent support with the implant fused to the jawbone, and easy maintenance.
Schedule your dental implant consultation today:
