Understanding the Costs of Dental Implants in the UK: A Comprehensive Guide
In the UK, the cost of dental implant treatment can vary significantly, depending on a range of factors such as the case's complexity, the type of implant system used, the clinic's location, and the dental surgeon's expertise.
This blog post aims to give you a comprehensive understanding of these costs, helping you estimate the potential price of your treatment.
What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a small titanium screw that replaces the root portion of a missing natural tooth. It's placed in the jaw's bone, and, given time, it will bond with the bone and serve as an anchor for the replacement tooth. Dental implants can replace a single lost tooth or many missing teeth.
You can read more about implants in our guide here.
When are Dental Implants Needed?
Dental implants are needed in a variety of situations:
Single Tooth Replacement: When you have lost a single tooth due to an accident, decay, or gum disease, a dental implant can replace it and restore functionality and aesthetics.
Multiple Teeth Replacement: When you lose multiple teeth, dental implants paired with bridges or dentures can restore your smile and chewing function.
Full Arch Replacement: In cases of severe tooth loss, where a complete set of teeth (upper, lower, or both) needs replacing, dental implants can be used in conjunction with a full denture or bridge.
Understanding the costs of dental implants in the UK
Firstly, because it’s a common question in our clinics, the NHS does not cover dental implants. On the NHS, you will only be offered dentures or sometimes, if you are lucky, bridges to replace missing teeth.
You may be eligible for dental implants on the NHS only if your teeth are missing due to cancer surgery or trauma such as a car crash.
Single-tooth dental implant costs
A single-tooth implant typically costs between £2,000 and £2,500 per implant. This price usually includes the implant (the 'screw' that's inserted into the jawbone), the abutment (the 'connector' placed on top of the implant), and the crown (the prosthetic tooth fitted onto the abutment).
Multiple teeth dental implant costs
When replacing several teeth, the cost per tooth may decrease as some costs like consultation, imaging, and surgery prep are shared across the treatment. Also, if you replace a gap of 4 teeth, you may not need 4 separate implants. Your dentist may suggest two implants (1 on either end) connected by a bridge.
As a rough estimate, a 4-tooth gap may cost around £6000
Full Arch dental implant costs
Full arch dental implants (also known as all-on-4 or all-on-6) replace all of the teeth in a jaw using four or six implants to support a full bridge.
It typically costs from £10,000 to £15,000 per jaw. These costs usually include consultations, diagnostic tests, implants, bridges, and temporary restorations.
Additional costs to consider when planning dental implant treatment
There are often additional costs involved in dental implant treatment. These might include:
Consultation: Usually between £50 to £100, sometimes refunded if you proceed with the treatment.
Diagnostic Tests: 3D scans and X-rays, typically costing between £50 to £300.
Bone grafting or sinus lift: If your jawbone isn't thick enough or is too soft, you may need bone grafting, adding around £500 to £1000 per implant to the total cost.
Sedation: If you choose to be sedated during the procedure, this could cost from £150 to £400 per appointment.
Aftercare & Maintenance: Periodic replacement of the prosthesis or the maintenance of the implants can lead to additional costs over time.
Why dental implant costs can vary so much
The process of having dental implant treatment isn’t always straightforward. For example, a single tooth implant on your lower jaw at the back is usually straightforward due to the bone's thickness and the tooth's lack of visibility.
If you have an implant replacing a front tooth, your dentist needs to be a lot more thorough in planning, ensuring the gum will heal properly. They must also use high-quality ceramics to make the tooth look natural.
All these factors will affect the price of your implant, which is why most dental practice websites will state that their prices are ‘from’ a certain amount. Your exact treatment fee will depend on your clinical situation and the work required to achieve your goal.
Payment plans for dental implants
Almost all dental clinics will allow you to spread the cost of your implant treatment across a few months or even up to 3-5 years, making the treatment more affordable than you think
Use our dental implant cost calculator.
Given the variables, getting a personalised estimate, considering your unique circumstances, is essential. That's why we've developed a user-friendly Implant Cost Calculator. By answering a few simple questions, you can get an estimate tailored to your needs without the need for multiple consultations that take up your time and money.
Try our implant cost calculator here.
Let us help you find the right dentist for you
Our online dentists can help you determine exactly how much your dental implant treatment should cost and also help you find highly skilled dentists in your area that would suit your needs.
In conclusion, dental implants are a significant investment but offer a long-lasting and natural-looking solution to missing teeth. Understanding the cost is an essential part of your decision-making process, and we hope this guide provides a helpful starting point for your research.
