While tooth loss is in decline among most Australians, over 5% of the population still has some sort of dental implant in place. After all, dental implants are a great way to replace missing or broken teeth.
Are you considering getting dental implants to replace missing teeth? If so, it’s important to understand how much dental implants cost. This can help provide you with a roadmap that’s helpful when planning your long-term dental treatment.
In this quick guide, we provide an overview of the cost of dental implants in Sydney, Australia. We also highlight some factors that can affect the price tag. So if you’re curious about how much dental implants cost, keep scrolling.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are an alternative to traditional dentures or bridgework for people who have missing or damaged teeth.
During this type of cosmetic dental procedure, a dentist will place a metal post into your jawbone. Then, they’ll attach a replacement tooth to the post. Over time, the implant fuses with your jawbone to create a strong foundation for the replacement tooth.
The result? A noticeable improvement in your appearance and self-confidence! However, dental implants also help prevent bone loss in the jaw and make it easier to eat and speak normally. This isn’t the case with dentures (although dentures do have their advantages, too).
The biggest benefit of dental implants is that they can last for decades with proper care. This makes them an excellent long-term solution for missing teeth. Plus, they look and feel just like your natural teeth.
The Dental Implant Process
The dental implant procedure begins with a consultation with your dentist.
During this appointment, your dentist will assess your mouth to see if you are a good candidate for dental implants. If you are, the next step is to have a CT scan or X-ray taken of your mouth. This will help your dentist to plan the placement of the implants.
Once they create a placement plan, the next step is to schedule an appointment for your surgery.
On the day of the implant surgery, they’ll prepare your mouth for surgery. This usually involves numbing the area around the implant site and making an incision in your gum tissue.
After your gum tissue has been incised, they will drill a hole in your jawbone where the implant will be placed. They then insert a titanium post into that hole, which allows it to fuse with your bone. This process usually takes several months, so keep that healing process in mind.
Once the implant has fused with your bone, you will return to your dentist to have a crown or bridge placed on top of it. In some cases, you can attach dentures or partial dentures to dental implants for extra stability.
While this might sound like a quick process, dental implants in Sydney take a few appointments and some time to complete. The entire process from consultation to final restoration can take several months to complete.
How Much Do Dental Implants Cost in Australia?
The cost of dental implants in Australia is typically a bit higher than the cost of veneers or other individual dental procedures. However, many dentists offer payment plans to make the cost more manageable.
For example, at TLC Dental in Sydney, we offer several financing options. Denticare is designed specifically to help patients finance dental procedures. Or, we also offer extended payment plans to help you spread the cost out over a longer period.
In Australia, the price of a typical simple dental implant can range from $3,000 to $8,000 per tooth. If there are additional procedures your dentist needs to perform at the same time, whether it be a sinus lift or bone grafting, this can increase the price to over $10,000 or even $12,000.
This means that, yes, dental implants are somewhat costly upfront. If you need to replace an entire row of teeth, you need to make significant financial plans for this well in advance.
For example, full-arch implants can be quite expensive. On average they can cost between $23,000 and $27,000 per arch.
That being said, it’s important to keep in mind that dental implants are a very long-term solution. Most last up to 25 years with proper care.
So, you might have to make a larger initial investment into your dental health, but it’s worth it because you typically only need to pay once, and then your smile’s set for (almost) life!
What Affects the Cost of Dental Implants?
There are a few different factors that can affect how much dental implants cost. First of all, it’s important to understand that there are two main types of implants available. Choosing between these two types can definitely affect your total cost.
Endosteal implants are the most common type. A dentist will place the implant directly into the jawbone.
Subperiosteal implants, on the other hand, are placed below the gum but above the jaw bone. This type of implant is best for those with weak jawbones. As you can imagine, because it’s slightly more invasive, these cost a bit more.
Aside from that one distinguishing factor, other factors that affect the cost of dental implants in Sydney include the following.
Your Current Oral Health
Your current oral health is the biggest factor in the cost of dental implants. If you have gum disease or tooth decay, your dentist will need to treat these problems before they can place the implant. In some cases, you may also need to have a bone graft to provide a solid foundation.
Preliminary Procedures
Preliminary procedures are important for the success of dental implants, but they can also add to the overall cost. The implant site must be prepared before a dentist can place your implants, and this often requires a bone graft or sinus lift.
In addition, they may need to extract or trim the surrounding teeth. In some cases, they may need to contour your gum tissue as well. As a result, the cost of dental implants can vary depending on the amount of work that needs to be done beforehand.
The Number of Implants Being Fitted
The number of implants you need is one of the biggest factors affecting the cost of dental implants. The more implants, the higher the overall cost.
Keep in mind that it’s not just about the number of implants, though. It’s also about the type of implant your dentist will use.
A single-tooth implant is great for replacing one tooth. However, a multiple-tooth implant is used to replace multiple missing teeth. The multiple-tooth implant is usually more expensive than the single-tooth implant because it requires more surgery and more time to heal.
Implant Size and Placement
The size and placement of your dental implants will determine the overall cost of the procedure. Implant size is determined by the distance between the teeth and the amount of jawbone available. The larger the implant, the more expensive it will be.
Implant Manufacturer
Some companies can produce implants more cheaply than others, and these savings are typically passed on to the patient. Standard titanium implants are usually the most affordable option, while premium materials like zirconia can be more expensive.
Does Health Insurance in Australia Cover Dental Implants?
We understand that dental implants can be quite an expensive part of a dental care treatment plan. We receive many questions from people wondering whether their health insurance will cover the cost. In Australia, most health insurance plans do not cover dental implants.
However, there are a few insurance providers that offer limited coverage for this procedure. If you’re considering dental implants, it’s important to check with your insurance provider to see if they offer any coverage.
Even if your health insurance doesn’t cover the full cost of dental implants, they may still cover part of the cost. This can help to make dental implants more affordable for everyone.
Can You Finance Dental Implants?
Yes, you can finance dental implants in Australia. There are several ways to finance your dental implants, including through your private health insurance or a payment plan with your dentist.
If you have private health insurance, you may be able to get some or all of the costs of your dental implants covered. If you are eligible for a government dental scheme, you may be able to get a subsidy towards the cost of your dental implants.
Keep in mind that the Australian government offers to cover all costs for basic dental services for children up to 17 years of age through the Child Dental Benefits Schedule.
Yes, this is only for children, and it only covers basic dental services. However, relying on this might help offset basic dental costs for your children so you can focus on saving money for dental implants for yourself or another loved one.
If you’re not eligible for the above-mentioned benefits, you can still finance your dental implants through a payment plan with your dentist. This is a great way to spread the cost of your dental implants over some time.
Book a Free Dental Consultation
Understanding how much dental implants cost in Sydney is a great first step towards achieving the smile of your dreams.
At our modern dental clinic in the heart of Sydney, we offer a free smile assessment to help you determine what options are available to you. Get in touch today to schedule an appointment!