Dental Implants Cost: Prices With & Without Insurance

A dental implant replaces one missing tooth with a post that a dentist or oral surgeon anchors in the jaw, topped with a crown. Because it has several parts and often several visits, an implant costs far more than a filling or a standard crown. The price you see quoted depends heavily on what the quote counts.

This page is about the cost of a single implant. It explains why published figures differ, what the add-on procedures cost, and what to ask before you agree to a treatment plan. Whether you are a candidate for an implant, and which option suits you, is a question for a licensed dentist or oral surgeon.

Here are the per-tooth figures from three sources. They are not interchangeable, because they count different things.

The CareCredit row describes a single full-size implant and does not include the crown. The NewMouth figure, which is the headline number for this page, is a typical total that does include the crown. The DentalInsurance.com range is also a total for a single tooth implant. If you compare the CareCredit row to the others without noticing this, the implant can look much cheaper than it will be in practice.

Estimates may vary for several reasons, and the first is scope. A figure for the implant post alone is lower than a figure for the post, the connector piece, and the crown. A figure that bundles in the exam, imaging, and surgery will be higher again.

Other reasons include:

• Where you live. Fees differ by city and region.
• Who does the work. A general dentist, a periodontist, and an oral surgeon may price differently.
• Materials. The implant brand and the crown material both affect the price.
• Extra procedures. Some mouths need work before an implant can be placed, which adds to the bill.

An implant quote may not include procedures that happen before or alongside placement. The table shows average prices for several common ones.

A sinus lift and a socket graft are the sort of preparatory procedures that may be recommended in some cases, and each is billed on top of the implant. A dentist decides whether you need them. A mini implant is a smaller device and is priced lower, but it is a different product and not a drop-in replacement, so ask your dentist what is appropriate for your tooth. The immediate load implant row shows the average for placing an implant with a temporary tooth the same day.

Offices package implant treatment differently, so ask what the quoted price covers. A thorough written estimate typically lists:

• The initial exam and any imaging
• The surgery to place the implant
• The abutment, the connector between the post and the crown
• The crown itself
• Follow-up visits
• Any sedation or anesthesia

If an item is missing from the quote, ask whether it is billed separately. A lower headline price with several extra charges may cost more than a higher all-in price.

Implant pricing depends on your local market, so call a few practices and ask for an itemized quote. Dental schools with implant programs and some community clinics may offer lower fees, as licensed instructors supervise the work. Availability and waiting times vary.

Ask for the total in writing, and compare quotes by what they include rather than by the headline number alone.

Coverage varies a great deal. Some plans exclude implants, some cover part of the cost, and some apply the plan's annual maximum quickly, since an implant is expensive. Waiting periods and exclusions for missing teeth can also apply. The only reliable way to know is to ask your insurer, and to have your dentist submit a pre-treatment estimate.

If coverage is limited, ask the office about payment plans or third-party financing, and read the interest terms before you sign.

No single formula exists, but you can build your own estimate. Start with the total per-tooth figure from a quote that includes the crown. Then add each add-on your dentist says you need, such as a graft or sinus lift, and the exam and imaging if they are not already counted. If you need more than one implant, multiply by the number of teeth. Full-arch and bridge options are priced differently and are not covered here.