Dental Implants Cost and Candidacy: Is It Worth It?

Authored By: Greg Johnstone
Reviewed By: W. Peter Nordland, DMD

• Dental Implant Basics

The cost of dental implants depends on many factors, including the type of implantation, the dentist performing the procedure, the location where it is performed, the material used and the amount of dental insurance you have.

Single implants may range in cost from $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the aforementioned factors. The cost of full-mouth reconstructive dental implants can range from $24,000 to $100,000.

Are You a Dental Implant Candidate?

Now that you know what an implant costs, it's time to determine if you are a candidate.

First, seek the advice of a dentist trained in implants, crowns and/or surgery. Your dentist will conduct a comprehensive oral health examination and patient history to evaluate candidacy.

Ask about the extent of your dentist's training. Training in implants, crowns and/or surgery offered by private organizations may be completed over a weekend, but medical organizations such as the American Academy of Periodontology and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons offer more extensive training. Since implantation is a type of oral surgery, it is important to ensure that your dentist has the experience and training required for this sensitive procedure.

Dental implantation, which is performed to replace missing teeth, can be done any time after adolescence or when bone growth is complete. Certain medical conditions, such as active diabetes, cancer or periodontal disease, may require additional treatment before the implant procedure can be performed.

Also, to determine candidacy for a dental implant, your dentist must evaluate bone density and quantity. In some cases where bone loss has occurred due to periodontal disease, implants may not be advised. In certain cases, bone grafting can be derived from your bone, a synthetic bone or a bovine bone to provide the right support for the implant, but your dentist will need to determine if you qualify for these procedures.

Please note that a higher implant failure rate occurs in people who take immuno-suppressants and in smokers. You should also be aware that there are over 60 different implant companies. Therefore, if you have an implant procedure done by one dentist but go to a different dentist for a repair, that new dentist may have limited experience with or may not have access to the implants used by the previous dentist.

Dental Implant Alternatives: Mini-Dental Implants

Narrower implants may be used for small teeth and incisors. Also, a narrower implant may best serve patients who require stabilization of lower jaw dentures, pre-molar teeth, or a missing tooth that was located in a narrow area. A small number of narrower implants are FDA-approved for the purpose of prosthesis stabilization, including the mini-dental implant. Only certain dentists may perform this procedure.

There are some core differences between traditional implants and mini implants:

• Mini implants are approximately half the width of their traditional counterparts.
• The implant is not fully submerged during a narrow implant procedure.
• Should implant failure occur, the small size (that of a toothpick) means grafting is not necessary.
• Mini implants are less costly.
• Mini implants are solid though they do not contain a screw.

[Updated May 2009]

• Dental Implant Basics

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