The short answer: the cost of implant treatment is made up of several parts. Two estimates can differ because one includes imaging, bone grafting, the connector or a temporary tooth and the other does not. Compare them line by line, and ask what each one leaves out.

What an implant treatment can include

Not every plan needs every step; which ones you need is decided after an examination.

  • Examination and imaging: X-rays and, in some cases, 3D imaging to see the bone.
  • Removing the tooth, if it is still there.
  • Bone grafting or a sinus lift, when there is not enough bone to hold the implant.
  • The implant: the post placed in the jawbone.
  • The abutment: the connector between the implant and the final crown or prosthesis.
  • The final crown or prosthesis: a crown, a bridge or a denture, and the material it is made of.
  • Temporary teeth while the implant heals, where needed.
  • Sedation, if it is part of the plan.
  • Follow-up visits and the checks that keep an implant healthy.

Why two estimates can differ

  • The number of implants proposed.
  • Whether bone grafting, a sinus lift or an extraction is included or priced separately.
  • The type of abutment and the material of the final crown.
  • Whether temporary teeth and follow-up visits are included.
  • Whether the estimate covers the whole treatment, or only the surgery or only the crown.

A checklist for comparing estimates

  1. What exactly is included, step by step?
  2. What is not included, and could be added later?
  3. How many implants are proposed, and why that number?
  4. What will the final crown or prosthesis be made of?
  5. Are a temporary tooth and follow-up visits included in the estimate?
  6. If healing needs an extra step, what would it involve?

Insurance and paying over time at Marble Arch

Before you decide, you receive a written estimate of what your insurance is expected to cover and what you may need to pay. Coverage depends on your plan, so we check it with your insurer rather than guess. If you would rather pay over time, you can ask about financing through Cherry, which is subject to approval. See insurance and financing.

Questions patients ask

Why is there no fixed price on the website? Because plans differ: the number of implants, the bone and the final teeth change what is needed. The estimate comes after the examination.

Does a lower estimate include the same services? Not necessarily. Check what each one includes before comparing totals.

Does insurance cover implants? It depends on the plan. We contact your insurer to check the benefits for the treatment being discussed.

If you are weighing an implant, these questions for your consultation may also help. Read more about dental implants.

Sources