The Average Cost of Dental Implants

By Brandon Cornett
© 2011 All rights reserved

Are you thinking about getting dental implants to improve your smile? If so, the cost of the procedure is probably on the top of your mind. You've come to the right place. This article outlines the average cost of implants and related procedures.

How Do Dental Implants Work, Anyway?

Dental implants are a procedure used to replace missing or broken teeth. This technique is much different than the dentures you're probably familiar with. Dentures sit on the gums, and they can be taken in and out. Dental implants, on the other hand, are surgically implanted into the jawbone. Once they are in place, they do not come out. This makes them a more permanent solution to missing teeth.

Dental implants are generally made from a titanium-metal composite, which is what gives them their strength and durability. The implants are fused to the patient's jawbone. This makes them the next best thing to real teeth. They don't slip or make any clicking sounds like dentures.

So how much does this procedure cost anyway? What's the average price for dental implants in the United States? Let's take a closer look...

The Cost of Implants

What is the average cost of dental implants where you live? How much can you expect to pay for them? What determines the price, and what kind of options do you have? No more suspense. Here's what you came to learn:

More than anything else, the cost of the procedure will depend on two things -- your location, and the number of teeth you are replacing. Some people use dental implants to replace a single tooth, while others replace many teeth. So it's not possible to give an average cost for implants across the board. The best we can do is give you an average price per tooth. The average cost of individual dental implants (single tooth) ranges from $1,500 - $3,500. Multiply those averages by the number of teeth that need replacing, and you'll have a rough idea of what to expect.

We have heard of people paying anywhere from $5,000 to $60,000 for a complete procedure, based on the number of teeth involved. Now you can see why dental implants are such big business. There is a lot of money to be made for the surgeons who perform these procedures. You can also see why it's so hard to provide an average cost for the entire procedure. There are just too many variables at work. Estimating the price per tooth is much simpler.

There may also be some additional costs involved, relating to other repair work. For example, if the patient's gums are in a bad state, he or she may need to be put on a gum-restoration program before the dental implants can be placed.

Some oral surgeons who specialize in dental implants will offer a free assessment, in order to bring in new business. They will examine the patient's mouth, gums and teeth to assess their overall condition. Based on this assessment, the surgeon can provide a cost estimate for the implant procedure.

Research for This Article

This was a tricky topic to cover. The average cost of dental implants is highly variables, based on the factors discussed above. To obtain pricing information we visited more than 25 websites, most of them belonging to oral surgeons and dental organizations. We also spent some time on the American Dental Association (ADA) website, which offers plenty of information on the procedure itself but nothing about the costs of treatment. If you want more accurate pricing information than what is provided above, we recommend scheduling an appointment with a dental implant specialist in your area.