What is a dental implant, and what is the procedure?
With a simple definition, a dental implant is a permanent replacement for lost teeth. Implant installation is usually done in multiple dental visits over a few months.
What is the price of a dental implant?
A dental implant is highly calculated against an individual’s case. These factors include: the implant type, the number of required implants, whether your insurance carries implant coverage, and whether your dentist belongs to the right network for your plan.
- The average cost per dental implant (that is, one for a tooth on the replacement of that single tooth, not paid for by dental benefits) is $2,800 to $5,600 for dental implants.
- You can find your price range for dental services available near you using our cost estimator tool.
What are the options aside from a dental implant? Your dentist may inform you of other alternative treatments for missing or broken teeth, and he may have serious ways to consider low-cost treatments for replacing one tooth, such as:
Dental bridges fill the gap left by a missing tooth. They are held in place by crowns attached to the natural teeth on both sides of the empty space.
Dentures are what people actually think of when they think about false teeth. They are removable oral appliances that offer a low-cost solution to missing teeth and tissue replacement.
What is included in the cost of a dental implant?
Your specific steps in the dental implant procedure will therefore vary relative to your own oral health situation and your dental benefits. However, usually the price covers actually placing the implant surgically into the jawbone, the substructure designed for the crown, and finally in the end the crown replacing the tooth itself.
Will a dental insurance plan cover dental implants?
Most dental benefit plans provide some help with costs toward implants, while some would not provide coverage. If dentally covered, then there would be even more considerations with it about deductibles or maybe a waiting period before benefits kick in, and the other flowery detail of whether the dentist is in-network for your plan, which will give you access to any fee discounts that may apply.
You can always request for pre-treatment estimate from your dentist for the amount that will be covered by your dental plan.
Does Delta Dental cover dental implants?
Yes. There may be differences in plan coverage, but most Delta Dental plans provide partial coverage toward the cost of the implants.
Compare our individual and family plans to find the right solution for you.
How can I pay for the remaining costs that dental insurance does not cover?
Definitely, dental benefits would help a lot, but of course, you can also check some other ways to fund these expenses, for example:
- Health Savings Account (HSA): HSAs let you set aside money (pre-tax) for qualified medical expenses, like dental implants. Money you do not spend in any year carries over to the next year. You will need to check if your employer’s health benefit plan offers an HSA.
- Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA): This is an employer-funded health plan that reimburses employees tax-free for qualified medical expenses.
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): FSAs are similar to HSAs except that they are employer-provided, have lower contribution limits, and usually do not have any carryover from year to year.
- Moreover, not all kinds of dental implants can be covered. Check your claim with the HSA, HRA, or FSA to see whether such a procedure qualifies.
Most probably, Medicare and Medicaid do not cover dental implants, but some Medicare Advantage plans might pay for them.
Talk to your doctor about dental implants
Want some implants, then? Find out the views of your dentist about what he thinks suits you. After that, check your dental benefits regarding what such a policy covers.
1Based on Delta Dental’s internal data as of 2022.
Cost of Implant-Supported Bridge
Depending on the area of the mouth where you would like to replace the teeth, an implant-supported bridge may be a more economical option than inserting implants into each space. After reading through all the research I could find, I discovered that the average cost of dental implants for a bridge supported by 2 implants ranges between $ 5,000 and $ 15,000.
Other characteristics that determine the cost are the following:
- Number of implants needed (2 are usually sufficient to support 3-4 artificial teeth)
- Number of artificial teeth to be replaced
- Materials used for the bridge
Of course, this would still be quite an expensive option compared to inserting a few more separate implants into the most missing tooth spaces. - A prosthodontist with whom I discussed a multi-tooth replacement said that two implants to support a 3-4 tooth bridge could be almost $10,000 in total, still cheaper than individual implants.
Mini Dental Implants
Mini-diameter implants are typically used for denture stabilization, or in cases where very little bone is present, these small-diameter implants. What I heard from dentists is a cost of around 50-70% of regular implants.
Mini implant: $500-$1,000 per implant
Series of 4 mini implants (to hold a lower denture): $2,000-$5,000
Although less costly upfront, note that mini implants may not apply to all cases and may be less durable than regular implants.
The Core Implant Procedure
This procedure fundamentally consists of the surgical placement of the titanium implant into the jawbone and is, by far, the most important component of costs incurred. Core surgery normally costs $1,000-$2,000 by itself.
Very low advertisement prices, such as “Implants for $999!”, are usually restricted to that part–the placement of the device surgically, excluding the crown or other parts that are needed.
Abutment and Crown
The abutment (connector) and crown (visible tooth) complete the implant. From my research:
- Abutment: $200-$500
- Crown: $1,000-$2,000
Certain dentists offer an all-inclusive price in which the implant, abutment, and crown are included. Others may provide the quotes for the surgical phase and the restorative phase differently. And as I moved around, I always asked the question, “Does this price include the final crown?”
Options for Anesthesia
Local anesthetic (numbing) is usually included in the base price. However, IV sedation or general anesthesia usually adds:
- IV sedation: $500-$1,000+
- General anesthesia: $600-$1,200+
For my procedure, I opted for local anesthetic plus nitrous oxide, which added $150 to my total cost.
Extra Procedures
Most patients end up needing extra procedures that are not included in the overall cost:
Tooth Extraction:
- Simple extraction: $100-$300
- Surgical extraction: $200-$500
- Bone grafting: Major bone graft: $1,000-$3,000+ Minor bone graft: $250-$1,100
- Sinus Lift: Some $1,000-$4,000, depending on what needs to be done.
From implant specialists, learning that more than half of patients receiving implants require bone grafting of some sort has been proven the case intermittently. Such additional procedures are seldom included as part of the base price of the implant.
It would be prudent to request a written treatment plan detailing all the costs when getting quotes. This will help you understand precisely what you’re paying for and make it easier to compare quotes from different providers.
Dental Insurance Coverage in 2025 for Implants
Initially, I was very disappointed with the generally very limited insurance support for dental implants. But, while there is still a long way to go in 2025, many plans have added at least partial coverage. Here’s what I found on the topic of insurance coverage for implants:
How Insurance Generally Covers Implants
Most plans that have included implants under dental benefits categorize them as “major services,” implying that:
- Usually, they’ll have the coverage up to only 50% of the total costs.
- Deductibles must be satisfied before (typically between $50 and $100).
- There are limitations set for how much the plan will pay through annual maximums (typically in the range of $1,000 to $2,000).
- Usually 6-12 months apply as waiting period applies after enrollment before coverage starts.
- Normally, clinical records indicate a “missing tooth clause” preventing the plan from paying for teeth lost before getting coverage.
- I have, however, gone through dozens of policies for dental insurance, and most extremely all or most number of the clauses occurred across providers. The provisions were not the same for different companies; however, some are just much better when it comes to implant coverage.
Conclusion:
Self-confidence is the strong result of dental implants being a very strong investment in the smile, and consistent with personal satisfaction when treated. Isn’t it proud of with grace serving one’s own health? With proper planning, it gives all it can back to self-confidence and health for such a famous procedure, but it must pass a hard time and money to work for the unending pleasure of having a smile. Piggybacking such a suggestion, one should seriously continue wondering over the word ‘quality’ ever constraining the factor of ‘price or cost.’
FAQs:
How much do dental implants cost in the USA?
Dental implants typically range from $3,000 to $5,000 per tooth, depending on materials, procedure complexity, and location.
Does insurance cover dental implant procedures in the USA?
Most dental insurance plans partially cover implants, but coverage varies. Some may pay for crowns or related treatments only.
How long does the dental implant process take?
The process usually takes 3–6 months, including healing time, implant placement, and crown attachment for complete restoration.
Are affordable dental implants as durable as expensive ones?
Yes, when performed by qualified professionals, affordable implants can be durable, reliable, and last for decades with proper care.
Medical Disclaimer
The information provided on Health Tips India is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions or changes to your diet, exercise, or medical routine.
SamhithaHealth & Wellness Content Writer
a Health & Wellness Content Writer with over 6 years of experience creating research-based health articles. She specializes in nutrition, weight management, diabetes care, skin health, and healthy lifestyle practices. Here content is carefully written using trusted medical and scientific sources to ensure accuracy and clarity for readers.