How many
Rough total
$3,000–$6,000
- Single tooth: implant, abutment and crown
- $3,000–$6,000
- Full fee
- $3,000–$6,000
- Ask whether a quote includes the implant, the abutment and the crown. Some quotes are for the implant post alone.
- Bone grafting and a sinus lift are needed only in some cases, and they add months as well as cost.
- This is not a quote. Ask the dental office for a written estimate with procedure codes before you agree to treatment.
Typical US ranges · Fees vary widely · Nothing you enter is saved
Low end
$3,000
Average
$4,500
High end
$6,000
- Without insurance
- $3,000–$6,000
- With insurance · out of pocket
- $1,500–$2,500
- Typical coverage
- Varies by plan
With dental insurance that covers it, out-of-pocket cost is often around $1,500–$2,500, depending on your plan, deductible and annual maximum.
What you are paying for
What goes into the cost of a dental implant
A single dental implant typically costs between $3,000 and $6,000 without insurance, with around $4,500 as a common total. That figure is the sum of three things: the surgery to place the titanium post, the abutment that connects to it, and the lab-made crown on top. Planning scans, the implant hardware itself and several follow-up visits are built into those fees. Because one office may do the surgery and another the crown, you can receive two estimates that each cover only part of the tooth. The costs people do not see coming are the preliminary ones: removing the failing tooth, a bone graft or sinus lift if the site is thin, a three-dimensional scan, sedation, and a temporary tooth to wear during healing. Always ask whether a quote includes all three parts.
Ways the bill can come down
Ask for one written treatment plan that lists every stage from extraction to final crown, so you can compare offices on the same basis. Be wary of advertised prices that cover the post alone. Check your dental plan carefully: some exclude implants, while others contribute to the crown, the extraction or the graft even if not to the post. Because treatment spans several months, the stages may fall across two benefit years, and your dental office can help time them. University dental schools and specialty residency programs place implants at reduced fees. It is also worth having a bridge or partial denture priced for comparison. Do not skip a recommended graft to save money without discussing the consequences with your surgeon.
Table 1 — Factors that affect dental implant cost
Factors That Affect Dental Implant Cost
- 01
Whether bone has to be built up first
A site with enough bone needs only the implant. A thin ridge, or an upper back tooth sitting close under the sinus, may need grafting, which is a separate procedure with its own fee and healing time.
- 02
Who does each stage
An oral surgeon or periodontist may place the post while your general dentist makes the crown, or one dentist may do everything. Specialist surgical fees tend to be higher, and two offices mean two bills.
- 03
Where the tooth is
A front tooth has to look right at the gum line, which can call for a custom abutment, a shaped temporary crown and extra visits. A back tooth is judged mostly on strength.
- 04
Abutment and crown choices
A stock abutment costs less than one custom-milled for your gum contour, and crown materials vary in price. These decisions are usually made by the restoring dentist based on the position and your bite.
- 05
Imaging and guided surgery
A three-dimensional scan is common. Some surgeons also use a printed surgical guide made from that scan to position the post, which adds planning and fabrication costs.
- 06
Extraction, sedation and the temporary tooth
Taking out the old tooth, choosing sedation over local anesthesia alone, and having a temporary tooth made for the healing months are each billed in addition to the implant.
Table 2 — Payment options
Payment Options
Dental Insurance
Plans usually pay part of the cost of covered procedures after a deductible, up to an annual maximum. Ask for a pre-treatment estimate.
Payment Plans
Many dentists offer in-house financing or work with CareCredit.
Dental Discount Plans
A yearly membership that gives reduced fees at participating dentists. Not insurance; check what it covers.
Dental Schools
Dental school clinics charge lower fees for care by supervised students. Appointments take longer.
Cost disclaimer
Cost estimates are based on national averages and may vary significantly based on your location, dentist, insurance coverage, and specific treatment needs. These figures are for informational purposes only and are not quotes or guarantees of pricing. Ask your dental office for a written estimate before treatment.