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Original poster

Is £3500 overly expensive for a dental implant?

30 replies

SkinPaperThin · 12/01/2022 02:55

I've had a lower molar extracted yesterday and now have the same tooth missing on both sides. Because of this I think I could do with at least one of the gaps filled in so I can eat properly. Don't really want to have a bridge as teeth next to gap are healthy. My dentist quoted £3,500 for the implant though. Is this normal for a molar or are they charging a lot? They are very good and have been brilliant so far but I'm not sure if I can afford such a huge amount of money, even on 12 months finance.

OP posts:
Original poster
SkinPaperThin · 12/01/2022 02:56

They also quoted £1,500 for a bridge.

OP posts:
Silversilverstreet · 12/01/2022 03:26

The charges at my dental practice are on their website. Although mine says “from…” the implant I had six months ago cost less than that so I assume the quoted figure is for a standard uncomplicated procedure. Prices may have risen a bit in six months.

Could you try looking at some local to you dental practices’ websites to see if there’s any guidance there? I imagine prices vary across the UK.

MrsEricBana · 12/01/2022 03:36

That is standard unfortunately. I have one and it is so good.

ursuslemonade · 12/01/2022 03:43

Look at going abroad. With travel etc it'll be a lot cheaper.

Monty27 · 12/01/2022 03:43

I think it's extortionate. It's probably the way of dental health care which used to, and is supposed to be through the old NHS system.
So many people can't afford it and have no choice other than to have gaps in their teeth.
Take your pick. It's probably worth shopping around though.

ursuslemonade · 12/01/2022 04:01

Admittedly I'm going abroad anyway to see family but my Nobel implant (one of the best in the world) will be under 1k.

Original poster
SkinPaperThin · 12/01/2022 08:57

Hmm. Might have to look in to the going abroad thing, although I struggle with flying so it's awkward. I wonder if they're cheaper in France?!

OP posts:
User1412 · 12/01/2022 09:22

I live in France and dental work is expensive. I’ve just been quoted 2500 € for an implant and crown!

Original poster
SkinPaperThin · 12/01/2022 09:38

Roughly the same as here then. Oh well. I'll probably have the initial consultation and then make the decision as to whether to go ahead or not.

OP posts:
Jjjaaakkk · 12/01/2022 09:42

If you go abroad specifically for the implant, ( ie. no family connections etc..) who will deal with any longer term issues which may arise?

refreshingseahorse · 12/01/2022 09:50

I'm booked in to commence an implant tomorrow. This is the second one I have had from this dentist, they are very good.
I was being a bit grumpy about paying £1800 for several hours of discomfort but I now feel like I am getting a bargain.

Original poster
SkinPaperThin · 12/01/2022 09:53

@refreshingseahorse is it a front or back tooth you're having done? I'm wondering if it's because it's a molar?

OP posts:
refreshingseahorse · 12/01/2022 10:59

Just spent five minutes looking at a dental chart and counting my teeth (thank goodness for working from home). I have concluded it s tooth number 20 that is being replaced, so it is a molar but one of the small ones.

ursuslemonade · 12/01/2022 12:04

Apparently if something happens to the implant (the crown part), I can get it fixed in the UK for free/not much as it's a franchise and it has a warranty. The one I'm having can be replaced for free for 15 years (if I remember correctly)

PantsandBoots · 12/01/2022 21:21

Implants in London were around the £2500 mark in 2020.

Perhaps investigate some other dentists who are implant specialists to compare prices?

Nitgel · 12/01/2022 21:27

Im halfway through mine and it's 3500 for a tooth implant with another attached to it. The whole processes is taking nearly a year. I don't really understand how you can go abroad as there are so many repeated visits and stages to complete.

User1412 · 12/01/2022 21:29

Where did you have it done?

ursuslemonade · 13/01/2022 07:38

1st appointment is to determine the state of bone structure (CT scan).
Luckily I didn't need a bone graft. Could have had the screw inserted then and there but had it done next time a couple of days later. If you need a bone graft, that will add to the costs.
After the screw/root is in place, you need to wait at least 3 months.
Next time I need a single appointment to prepare for the final stage which will be about 3 weeks later (crown fitting) That will take 3 appointments within about 10 days. I could have had this whole shebang done and dusted years ago if it wasn't for bloody travel restrictions.
To give you a timeline in my case (not actual dates , just to get the gist)
1st January: consultation, scan
3rd of January: screw inserted
1st of June: doing something to the gum which is time sensitive, has to be done 2-3 weeks before the final stage
21st, 25th, 30th of June:last 3 appointment to fit the crown. The appointments can be closer to each other IIRC but I'll be there for the Easter holidays anyway.
Then yearly check-ups and CT scans.
Of course it's more comfortable to drive to your dentist around the corner but I can't afford 3 grand for a dental implant.

Dental tourism is big. Loads of companies have partners in the UK, so you don't have to travel for each stage but still save loads.

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 13/01/2022 07:46

I pay £1200 for mine.
i travel from Somerset to Brighton (day trip) to get it done, they are experts in their field and like to keep their prices low so implants are available for all, I've had 5 there and am very pleased with their work. The oldest one is 10 years old and has just lasted brilliantly.

www.brightonimplantclinic.co.uk/

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 13/01/2022 07:47

Its better to get them done in the UK because you will need to keep going back for fittings etc.

FrenchyQ · 13/01/2022 07:59

I'm having my implants put in tomorrow (having 2), think they've worked out at about £1500 each

thirstyformore · 13/01/2022 08:04

I was quoted about 2.5k, but couldn't have one in the end (gap too small). Having a Maryland bridge instead. Very minimal work was required to the neighbouring tooth. Paying £850.

Okbutnotgreat · 13/01/2022 08:29

[quote Shehasadiamondinthesky]I pay £1200 for mine.
i travel from Somerset to Brighton (day trip) to get it done, they are experts in their field and like to keep their prices low so implants are available for all, I've had 5 there and am very pleased with their work. The oldest one is 10 years old and has just lasted brilliantly.

www.brightonimplantclinic.co.uk/[/quote]
Have been wanting/needing to do this for several years and never been able to save the £3.5k per tooth it costs locally so thank you very much, this could be a life changer!

NavigatingAdolescence · 13/01/2022 08:35

Had one last summer. £2.5k all in by a specialist implantologist (dentist with a Masters in implants).

Absolutely brilliant. I only had/have one molar on the bottom on each side congenitally so needed it replaced. Couldn’t be happier with it.

Angrymum22 · 13/01/2022 08:37

@ursuslemonade

Apparently if something happens to the implant (the crown part), I can get it fixed in the UK for free/not much as it's a franchise and it has a warranty. The one I'm having can be replaced for free for 15 years (if I remember correctly)
Unfortunately most implants fail due to the implant part (the bit screwed into the bone) developing peri-implantitis which has the same pathology as periodontitis (severe gum disease). Poorly placed implants can damage adjacent roots. Badly made crowns will create food traps leading to decay in adjacent natural teeth. It really doesn’t matter what quality of implant is used, it is the skill of the implantologist that is key. A good implantologist will carry out a regular review and advise regular cleaning by a hygienist who has had training to correctly clean the implant. The initial cost is irrelevant if you are not willing to invest in routine maintenance costs. It would be like buying a luxury car but then never having it serviced. I have a couple of patients who have had I’ll advised treatment but expect me to “fix” their problems because they are unwilling/no longer able to return to the dentist who carried out treatment. Both need thousands of pounds of work but cannot understand why I am unable to do it for free. If you only have a couple of spaces and are not worried about the appearance, clinically and functionally an implant is not necessary. Patients often ask me what I would do in their circumstances. I always answer honestly, implants are very useful particularly in patients who have no teeth and struggle with dentures because you can use implants to attach dentures so they don’t move around. After traumatic loss of teeth they are a good way of restoring teeth. But for the odd gap at the back of the mouth they are often unnecessary. Sorry for the long post but I have seen a lot of patients who have been over treated in the past because they have been lead to believe that filling a gap is necessary rather than just an option.