Why Do Dental Implant Costs Vary?
Posted on: December 1, 2021
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It’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed when you look at dental implant costs and see how much they vary. While some dental treatments may differ by a few hundred dollars, dental implant treatment can easily change by thousands. There are several reasons why dental implant costs vary, and while they may seem random, it comes down to each service and product component provided.
Learning more about these components will help you understand the reason behind cost variability when it comes to dental implants, and can help you make an informed decision about treatment according to your individual needs and budget.
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Fixed Expenses
Dental implant treatment is considered a safe, predictable treatment with a high rate of success in patients. Like any surgical procedure that involves a prosthesis, there are fixed expenses that indicate a base price and variable expenses that apply. These variable expenses affect the overall treatment cost. Built into every treatment plan is the price for:
Diagnostic imaging
At Perth Dental Implant Centre, we take diagnostic x-rays and a 3D (CBCT) scan to assess remaining teeth and jawbone. These images provide crucial information needed to determine whether there is sufficient jawbone to support dental implants. A 3D CBCT scan costs $217.
Surgery
Dental implant surgery requires specific skills and training in order for dental implants to be placed accurately. Dr Norcross has dedicated most of his career to the placement of dental implants, having completed numerous advanced implant dentistry courses, his experience spans over a decade of cases.
Variable Expenses
Variable implant costs are broken down into fees for each component item and vary between patients. These factors include:
An implant
Dental implants are made of titanium that integrate seamlessly with the jawbone. Implants act as tooth roots for missing teeth, helping to preserve the jawbone from deterioration. The cost of an implant depends on the implant system you choose and the number of dental implants that are required.
An abutment
Each dental implant has a connecting abutment (attachment) that secures a crown, bridge or denture. The cost for abutments depends on how many implants are placed and whether you choose to have standard abutments or to have custom abutments made.
Replacement teeth
Dental implants serve as supporting bases for crowns, fixed bridges and dentures to replace one, several or all missing teeth. Replacement teeth can be made up of a number of materials depending on the solution sought after:
- Implant-retained dentures – high-impact acrylic dentures
- Fixed implant bridges – (MIS Implants or Nobel BioCare) zirconia or porcelain-layered zirconia teeth
- All-On-4 bridges (Nobel BioCare): Titanium-reinforced acrylic, zirconia or porcelain-layered zirconia
Replacement teeth materials differ in strength, longevity and aesthetics and largely determine what you pay for when it comes to dental implants. Got questions? Get in touch with our team today.
3D Guided implant surgery
Dental implant surgery can be performed either by freehand or computer-aided. Digitally-guided implant surgery allows for faster, less invasive treatment with more predictable results. Guided surgery requires time to digitally plan, perform and evaluate a procedure before taking place. Using your scans, a 3D surgical guide is designed, printed and then placed in the mouth to guide dental implants into position. This is an optional cost at $435.
Bone graft
A bone graft may be required if there isn’t enough jaw bone to support dental implants. Bone grafting helps to restore the missing bone and can be performed months before implant surgery or at the same time, depending on treatment needs. The cost of a bone graft varies slightly according to the type and amount of grafting material used.
Tooth extractions
If there are unwanted teeth or damaged teeth, these will require extraction before implants can be placed. This may be done months before surgery or at the same time as implant surgery and involves an additional cost per tooth extracted.
Sedation and anaesthetist fees
Surgery is usually performed under local anaesthetic in the dentist chair. For more complex treatment or for particularly anxious patients, it may be possible to have the procedure while asleep. Sleep dentistry is a safe and common form of sedation that puts you into a relaxed, semiconscious state. Intravenous (IV) sedation is administered by an anaesthetist who monitors your vitals throughout treatment. Cost of sedation varies according to the anaesthetist fee and the length of sedation time.
Hospital fees
If you are having treatment under general anaesthetic in hospital, there are hospital fees to be paid. For patients with private health insurance and hospital cover, this hospital fee is covered by insurance with only an excess to pay (if any). For patients without insurance, it is more affordable to be treated in the chair.
Periodontal treatment
Dental implants required healthy gums and jawbone to be adequately supported in the mouth. If a patient suffers from advanced gum disease (periodontitis) they may require a deep cleaning or minor periodontal surgery to treat the gums before dental implants can be placed. Periodontal treatment usually takes place months before implant surgery. These costs are additional to dental implant surgery.
Every patient has unique needs that require the adequate skills of a dentist who is experienced with placing implants. If you’d like to get an accurate quote on dental implant treatment, book a consultation with Dr Norcross at one of our clinics by calling 1300 108 133 for Kelmscott or East Vic Park.
