Getting dental implants is one of the most preferred ways to replace missing teeth or support a denture or bridge. These permanent fixtures are often considered the next best thing to actual teeth, as they are designed to function, feel, and look like them. Also, implants can help restore oral health and can be affordable solutions for damaged and missing teeth, making them worth considering over other tooth replacement procedures.

Dental implant procedure
One may assume that the total cost of implants mainly depends on the charges for getting artificial teeth made. But that is not entirely true; the implant placement procedure makes up a major chunk of the cost.

1. Placement of the post
This step of the implantation procedure is usually considered the most invasive. It involves opening up the gums to expose the bone underneath and then drilling small holes into the bone to place the post. This post replaces the root of a missing tooth. In general, the cost of this procedure can be around €500 per implant. The price is steep as this procedure requires the services of highly skilled oral surgeons and anesthesiologists. Besides, the post has to be placed in a strategic manner to ensure it lasts a lifetime. So, this makes the high upfront cost a good long-term investment.

2. Placement of the abutment
A few days or weeks after placing the post, a dental surgeon will place the abutment. This part of the implant extends from the post and connects the crown (the artificial tooth) to the post. This process is not too invasive, and its cost is usually included in the post-placement charges.

3. Crown placement
In the final step, the crown is attached to the abutment. Before beginning, it is important to ensure that the crown offers the right fit. For this, a few impressions of the mouth and other natural healthy teeth are taken. Then, the artificial tooth is created using the impressions to ensure the implant looks and feels like natural teeth. As this process requires skilled professionals, the cost of crown placement can go up to €210 per crown. But, the cost can also depend on the material used. For instance, the cost of zirconium crowns is higher than that of titanium crowns. Also, the type of crown can affect the price, with removable crowns being cheaper than fixed ones.

Cost of dental implants
The average cost of a single dental implant in the country ranges between €1,600 and €3,000. This cost typically involves the placement of the post, abutment, and crown. But, this estimate may be higher if other procedures like bone grafting, tooth extraction, or CT scans are conducted along with the implant procedure.

Other associated costs
While one may get a single bill for the main 3-step implant procedure, the cost of diagnostic tests, consultation, and other procedures can carry separate fees.

1. Diagnostic test charges
Before recommending a tooth implant procedure, a dentist is likely to order imaging tests like X-rays to assess the patient’s overall oral health. Besides, the dentist can refer to the scans to look for infections and potential complications that may indicate the need for additional procedures. The cost of X-rays is often nominal, and certain clinics may also offer dental implant packages that cover imaging tests for free.

Additionally, the dentist may order CT scans to examine existing complications in the gums, teeth, or oral bones. CT scans offer 3D cross-sectional images of the mouth, giving the dentist a better view of the bone structure and density, internal nerves, and tissue. In addition, a dentist can rely on the scan to examine the location of the blood vessels in the mouth, any bone infections, tumors, and other crucial details that may affect the outcome of the dental implant process. While CT scans offer more details than X-rays, the cost estimates are nearly identical for both tests.

2. Bone graft costs
This procedure is usually conducted when the jaw lacks adequate bone density to support dental implants. Here, grafting material is used to restore bone volume and density. One can expect to pay €145 per graft.

3. Tooth extraction
Sometimes, natural teeth may have to be removed before the implant is placed. This may be done when the teeth are affected by an infection, gum disease, or impaction. The cost of this procedure is usually low—around €40 per extraction.

Other factors influencing the cost
1. Experience and expertise of the dentist
A top-rated, experienced dentist may quote a higher price to account for their skills. To get affordable dental implants from such dentists, one may have to consider insurance coverage.

2. Type of procedure
Sometimes, one may need to undergo a simple procedure involving just post, abutment, and crown placement for one or two missing teeth. In such cases, dental implants can be quite affordable.

To save money on the procedure, it is important to know the complete dental implant costs and compare multiple quotes. Then, one should choose the most affordable clinic. One may also be able to pay in installments for implants, which can also make the procedure more affordable.