Dental implants in Perth: adding up the costs for your procedure

A check-list of everything you need to budget for when having dental implants…

1. How many teeth do you have missing?

There’s a misconception among some that you need one implant for every tooth missing. Wrong! Not so!

For example, one missing tooth would require one implant, but several teeth missing may only require two implants. Here is a basic guide to give you some indication:

• 1 implant: 1-2 teeth

• 2 implants: 3-4 teeth

• 4 implants: 10-12 teeth

Read more on dental implant options here >

2. Do you require any necessary dental work before this procedure?

This is another reason we can’t give quotes over the internet. When you come to see us, we’ll examine you and determine whether you require any necessary work before you book your implant procedure. For example, you may require root canal work or tooth extraction before surgery.

Another issue is bone grafts. Fortunately, most patients do not require a bone graft as they have enough jaw bone tissue for the procedure. However, if you do require a graft, then this will add to your cost.

At your initial consultation and dental examination, you will be given x-rays, which will tell us if you have enough bone to go ahead with the procedure without concerning yourself about bone grafts.

3. Do you have private health insurance?

If you have private health insurance that includes top dental cover, it’s likely that you will get a rebate for your procedure. We’ll give you a fully itemised quote so you can call your health insurance fund to hear exactly how much you can expect back.

Be aware that there are annual limits on dental rebates. Limits vary between health fund and between levels of cover so again, call your health insurance fund and find out exactly how much you are entitled to.

TIP: there are several stages required for dental implants performed over several months. Some people use this fact to their advantage, booking part of their implant procedure in one calendar year (redeeming the maximum annual rebate) then completing the remainder of the procedure in the following calendar year (once again redeeming another maximum annual rebate).

 4. Be aware of all costs required for the implant.

When shopping around for an implant surgeon, don’t just ask for the price of the dental implant. Several material costs are involved. For example, a dental implant requires an abutment, which is an extra cost. If you have only one tooth missing, it’s likely that you will be given a dental crown to attach to this abutment. Again, this is an additional cost, and the price of dental crowns vary immensely. If you have several teeth missing, you may be recommended a full arch rehabilitation or an implant-supported denture. Prices vary significantly, so find out exactly what the dentist or surgeon suggests and make sure you get a fully itemised quote.

Piecing it all together

Dental implants have many factors that contribute to the cost, and it is not an overnight procedure – or a cheap one. This is why we want you to do your homework properly.

Don’t be overwhelmed, though. Speak to the right people (meaning: qualified, experienced dental professionals – and more than one of them) and don’t take the advice of someone who knows a friend who went to Bali for a holiday and a $300 procedure (read more on dental implant costs and Bali here >>).

We’re talking about your health here; it’s not something that you want to bet on at a bargain basement price, hoping that nothing goes wrong.

Exploring dental implants: here’s what you need to do:

1. Accept that the dental implant procedure takes several stages and some time to complete.
2. Book an appointment with our Dentistry Plus dedicated dentist for an initial consultation and dental examination.
3. Take home the fully itemised quote that we will have prepared for you. This includes all procedures and expenses.
4. Seek out another dental professional for another opinion and quote.
5. Ring or visit your health insurance fund. Present them with the itemised quotes and find out exactly how much you will get back for each one.
6. Think about things for a while.
7. If you are happy to go ahead with the procedure, call our clinic and book an appointment.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.