If you’re thinking about replacing your missing teeth with dental implants, you may be finding it difficult to determine how much dental implants cost.
You’ve likely seen a lot of different teeth implant prices online — some even thousands of dollars apart — so it’s no wonder you may be feeling a little confused.
But we’re here to help.
We’ve outlined the five key factors that can influence the cost of dental implants in Australia so you can make a more informed comparison of the quotes you see online.
The five factors that affect dental implant cost are:
Let’s explore why the price of dental implants is impacted by these factors — and why some teeth implants are more expensive than others.
There are two main components involved in dental implant treatment: the dental implant (the part that is placed into your jaw) and the dental crown (the part that fills in the gap left by your missing tooth).
If you have several missing teeth in a row, you may require a tooth bridge secured by multiple implants, rather than a number of single dental implants and crowns.
These components can vary greatly in terms of cost and quality due to the materials they’re made from and how they’re manufactured.
Most dental implants are made from titanium because it fuses well with natural bone. However, it’s important to note that the price of titanium implants will vary depending on whether they are sourced from a reputable manufacturer or a cheaper supplier. At Dental Implants on Miller, we only use premium titanium implants from industry-leading manufacturers like Nobel Biocare. With us, you can rest assured that you’re receiving the highest quality components, backed by years of clinical research.
When it comes to single implant teeth and implant tooth bridges, the price largely depends on the level of customisation required.
For example, if you’re replacing your front tooth, a skilled ceramist will carefully build your implant tooth using many layers of porcelain to recreate the tooth’s natural translucency. This is a lengthy process and skilled ceramists will command higher fees. However, the high quality of the ceramist’s implant tooth means you get a much more natural result.
Another factor that will impact the cost of your dental implants is how the base (also called the abutment) is created. If the abutment is computer designed and precision milled, you will get a much more precise outcome. But this advanced technology does come at a higher cost.
You should also beware of dentists who try to cut corners by working with less experienced dental technicians to make their dental crowns and bridges. While this may bring down the costs, it also often brings down the quality, meaning you’ll likely get a less natural outcome with a shorter lifespan.
The most important question to ask yourself when considering the cost of dental implants is: how natural and robust do you want your replacement tooth to be?
Here’s the bottom line:
Premium dental implants, crowns and bridges made by reputable laboratories and manufacturers may be more expensive — but you’ll benefit from a long-lasting, higher-quality product that looks just like your natural tooth.
Did you know that dentists are not required to undertake additional university training to carry out dental implant surgery?
It’s true. Dentists are qualified to perform this treatment as soon as they finish their basic degree. But when it comes to the success and longevity of your dental implants, experience and training matter.
That’s why Dr Daniel Adamo chose to further his training and complete a Graduate Diploma in Clinical Dentistry (Oral Implants) at the University of Sydney. He wanted his patients to receive the highest quality care and outcomes from their implant treatment. And over the past 25 years, he has restored thousands of smiles with dental implants. Dr Adamo also exclusively works with highly experienced prosthetic technicians to ensure every dental crown and tooth bridge is skillfully crafted to look natural and last a lifetime.
If you see higher dental implant prices, it’s likely that the dentist has invested in additional implant training and is more experienced in this procedure. Likewise, lower dental implant costs may indicate a less experienced dentist who has not undertaken further training.
Getting dental implants is a major procedure. While a more experienced dentist may be more expensive, you can’t put a price on peace of mind.
The price of dental implants will also depend on the number of teeth you need to replace and their location.
For example, if you’re replacing just one missing tooth, you’ll only need a single implant and one dental crown. But if you’re missing many teeth and require multiple implants and a tooth bridge, this will significantly increase the cost of your treatment. Keep in mind that if you’re missing several teeth in a row, a tooth bridge of up to 6 teeth can be secured in place with only two implants.
At Dental Implants on Miller, single tooth implants start from $6,000 and implant bridges start from $14,500.
In more complex cases, additional surgical procedures, such as teeth extraction, bone and/or gum grafting or a sinus lift, are required to ensure a more successful outcome. You may also opt for additional smile makeover treatments like porcelain veneers to complement your new implant teeth. While these additional procedures will increase the cost of your dental implant treatment, sometimes they are essential for both the longevity of your implants and a better cosmetic result.
Take bone grafting, for example. If you’ve been missing teeth for a while, you may have some bone loss in your jaw. Bone grafting is used to replace this missing bone and stimulate new bone growth. Not only will this give us a more solid foundation to place your implants, but it can also help to improve your overall facial structure as jaw bone loss can cause your lips and cheeks to collapse inwards over time.
In bone or gum grafting cases, Dr Adamo also provides PRP (platelet-rich plasma) treatment which aids wound healing. This will come at an additional fee.
At Dental Implants on Miller, we generally use twilight sedation during dental implant surgery. Twilight sedation puts you into a relaxed, sleep-like state, helping you to feel calm and comfortable during your procedure. It is administered via an intravenous (IV) drip into your hand or arm by our very own Dr Simon Furber, who is a qualified medical practitioner with additional training in sedation treatment.
Keep in mind that IV sedation does come at an additional fee and will impact your overall dental implant cost. But at Dental Implants on Miller, the most you can expect your sedation fee to be is around $1,000. And the good news is that you can claim a portion of it back through Medicare. While twilight sedation may increase the cost of your dental implant procedure, it will make your experience a lot more comfortable and stress-free. Plus, it is far less expensive than going under general anaesthesia for your treatment.
If you’d like more personalised advice on the cost of dental implants, what to expect from this treatment and whether it’s right for you, book your free consultation with Dr Daniel Adamo. During this appointment, we will determine whether you’re a good candidate for dental implants and provide you with a quote clearly outlining all the costs involved — no fee surprises here!
Did you know we also offer flexible finance options for dental implants? This means you can start filling the gaps in your smile today and pay for your treatment in comfortable instalments over time.