It’s difficult to give a straight answer to this question as there are so many factors that could affect how much dental implants cost.
How many teeth need replacing? What material will be used? What type of dental implant is required? These are all things that you should consider, and ultimately the price all comes down to your individual needs.
Of course, there’s more that will influence the price, including where you have the procedure done. Some private dentists will be cheaper than others, with the average cost in the UK varying between £1,200 to £4,500.
If you have them made abroad, they will likely be cheaper – but this can be a risky procedure, and you’ll lose the benefits of having them made by a UK clinician.
In this post, our expert clinicians here at Revitalise Dental Centre will look at why the cost of dental implants varies, why dental implants abroad are cheaper, and how to choose the right clinician for your treatment.
Why is there a price difference?
Before looking at what affects the price of dental implants, it’s worth mentioning that the cost will be split into two parts – the materials used and the cost of the procedure itself.
Materials
Because implants are inserted directly into the jawbone, dental implants need to be made of biocompatible materials.
After a few months, the implant unites with the bone, in a process known as osseointegration, and essentially becomes part of your jaw.
That is why only the best grade of materials should be used.
The most commonly used material is titanium, and for years it’s proven to not only be suitable for integration with living tissue but also a reliable material for dental implants that, with the correct aftercare, can last patients for up to 30 years!
The surgery itself also has an extremely high success rate – and all of these factors combined are the reason why titanium is the most common material used for dental implants.
Why would there be other options?
Some people are put off by the colour of titanium and worried a greyish lining will be visible after the procedure is complete.
The idea of metal being used is also a concern to some people, although there’s no reason for this worry. But for those who do not want a metal-based implant, there are alternative options available.
Zirconia dental implants, for example, are the most common alternative and are classed as ceramic. Because Zirconia is a newer material, they are slightly more expensive – so keep this in mind when choosing materials.
Planning stages and the actual surgery
The cost of materials for the implants and the components is relatively low and the real costs occur during the planning stages and the actual surgery. The whole procedure is extremely complex and needs to be completed by an experienced surgeon as it takes a lot of skill to perfect. Lots of surgeons place dental implants but very few have the skills and accuracy required to restore a functional long-term outcome.
The initial planning stages use specialist software to analyse the bone and tooth position – which will also help to determine whether the density of the bone is sufficient enough to support the implants. Once this has been completed the correct height and width can be implemented into the design. Surgical guides are then designed and printed to ensure the implants are placed in the correct position.
All of this planning is to ensure that when the implants are surgically placed they can be restored to deliver optimum function and aesthetics for the final result. The whole procedure can take from 3 to 15 months to complete from start to finish depending on the clinical situation.
The stages you can expect include;
- Consultation
- CT Scans
- The surgery
- Placement of the implant into your jaw
- Healing and osseointegration. This is the fusion of the implant and the bone
mentioned earlier. - Fitting your new artificial teeth onto the implant
- X-Rays
- Any follow-up appointments
Taking all of this into consideration a fair price to expect in the U.K is £3,250 for a back tooth and £3,500 for a more challenging front tooth.
Why are they cheaper abroad?
Dental implants along with other dental treatments can be cheaper abroad compared to the UK. It’s reported they can be fitted for 50-70% less.
In the UK all dentists have to work under strict compliance in line with GDC and CQC. This is just one of the reasons dental implants are cheaper abroad. Without having to follow strict compliance with normal diagnostic planning, pre-op and aftercare appointments it’s easier to take shortcuts resulting in cheaper work. As a result safety measures might be missed and quality can not be ensured.
Does this mean that all dental centres abroad will offer a lower standard of care?
No, some clinics look great and can deliver a fair standard of care. There will be plenty of clinics abroad that have state-of-the-art centres with fully trained, capable dentists. The reason they will be able to offer dental implants at a cheaper price is due to the cost of living and the materials are not always the same grade as the ones we use in the U.K. Take Spain for example, it reported that the average cost of living is 18.2% cheaper than in the UK. And if the price of living is cheaper dentists can ultimately offer treatment at a lower price.
Many countries abroad also have access to cheaper supplies. This means that they can purchase the parts for dental implants at a fraction of the price. Again resulting in the ability to offer cheaper treatment. It’s argued that even when you consider flight costs and accommodation to travel to a dentist overseas, it can still be a cheaper option. But this doesn’t take away from the risks that are involved, which won’t occur if you were to get dental implants in the UK.
If going abroad is a significantly cheaper option why shouldn’t you? There are risks involved which won’t occur in UK dentistry.
What risks are there
If you choose to go abroad for dental implants, you should be aware that there are risks involved which won’t occur when you opt for treatment in the UK.
Your consultation – In the UK a dentist who is not registered with the GDC cannot provide consultation for dental implants by law. When going abroad this will not be the case and you could end up with a dentist who may not be qualified. Keep in mind that any dentist should talk through any health issues you might have including allergies. Important information that you need to know could easily get lost in translation, which could end up being extremely dangerous.
Planning and Aftercare – Dental implants require a lot of detailed planning. Although the surgery is a common procedure which has a low risk of complications there is still a small chance that some might arise. It’s completely possible for problems such as swelling and pain to arise after the surgery.
By that time you might be back in the UK and will have to see a private dentist back home. If the surgery was a success then you might get away with paying only for emergency appointment fees. If not, you will either have to travel back to the country where you had the surgery completed or face paying a private dentist in the UK to fix the problem.
Dentists in the UK are required to amend any problems that arise shortly after surgery with no additional costs.
Documentation of procedure – This is something that might go unthought of but is actually extremely important. You will need to ensure that a dentist overseas can provide you with documentation of the procedure in English. This is in case you need any follow-up work in the future in the UK. You can provide this documentation to your dentist so they can fully understand the work you had done.
So how do I choose the right clinician in the UK?
Choosing the right clinician is not an easy decision. With so many choices in the UK how do you choose a private dentist that is right for you? At the end of the day, you won’t know until you have tried, however, there are some things you should consider.
Seek out a clinic that offers implants – This seems extremely obvious but not all dentists in the UK will offer implants.
Ask them how many procedures they have completed – Dental implants are an investment, so you will want them done by someone who is experienced and will do a great job. A confident dentist should not have any problems answering this question, and if they refuse, that’s a red flag and you should look for another dentist.
What training they have obtained – Again, you want to be confident in the dentist that will be undertaking the surgery, so make sure to ask questions about their qualifications and the kind of experience they have.
Testimonials – Speak to other patients who have been treated by them to hear what they say about their experience. If you don’t know anyone personally check for reviews online.
Remember by choosing a dentist in the UK, you are guaranteed that they have undergone all the relevant training and are fully qualified to complete the surgery. Although dental implants can be expensive, you shouldn’t risk your health or investment for a cheaper option.
If you are adamant about having the surgery abroad, ensure you fully research any dental surgery to make sure they are trustworthy.
The clinics may put you in touch with people who have had success with their dental implants, and you should ask questions such as if they have had any problems, and what they should do if any arise.
It’s also a good idea to speak to your dentist in the UK so they can offer advice based on your dental history.
How can I pay for my dental implants?
Lots of dental centres – including ourselves – offer a couple of different ways to pay for dental implants.
Many people can’t afford to fork out thousands of pounds at once to pay for their dental implants, but with patient finance, you could be able to achieve the smile of your dreams whilst spreading the cost over affordable monthly repayments.
Find Out More
For more information on how much dental implants cost in the UK, or to explore your options, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our expert clinicians here at Revitalise Dental Centre.
Revitalise Dental offer a consultation where we can discuss treatment stages for dental implants and answer any concerns or worries you have about the procedure.
Call 01872 555 911 to chat with us directly, or reach out to us via email, and we’ll be in touch to arrange your consultation!
