How much does bone grafting cost

  • Dr. Ash Sagar
  • June 28, 2021
  • No Comments

Dental implants have been around for a long time now and are becoming more common in the Australian population. They are excellent tooth replacement options for missing or damaged teeth. For some people, it is the only option for getting back their smile and eating again. Yet, many factors come into play when deciding if dental implants are right for you. 

In this blog post, we will cover the average cost of dental implant placement in Australia and any associated fees or risks since they vary from person to person. So you can make an informed decision about whether or not they’re worth it! 

Read on to find out more about the cost of implants in Australia and what other things may be involved in the process.

Content Navigation

  • 1 What Are Dental Implants?
  • 2 How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?
    • 2.1 Single Implant Cost 
    • 2.2 Multiple Dental Implants Cost 
    • 2.3 How Do Bone and Gum Grafts Affect the Cost of Dental Implants?
    • 2.4 Dentures vs Dental Implants Cost 
    • 2.5 Factors that Can Affect the Cost of Dental Implants
      • 2.5.1 Dental Implant Materials/components
      • 2.5.2 Bone Augmentation
      • 2.5.3 Tooth Extraction
    • 2.6 Does Medicare Cover Dental Implants?
    • 2.7 Does Private Health Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
  • 3 Should I Go Overseas to Save Money on Dental Implants?
  • 4 Different Payment Plans are Available for Dental Implants
    • 4.1 Afterpay
    • 4.2 Zippay
    • 4.3 Humm
    • 4.4 Openpay
    • 4.5 In-house finance option
  • 5 Supercare
  • 6 Final Thoughts

What Are Dental Implants?

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root made of titanium that replaces a lost one and provides a reliable and robust foundation for replacement, such as a crown, bridge, or denture. The two types of implants are subperiosteal and endosteal; the former requires bone grafting to work, whereas the latter doesn’t. 

The replacement teeth are designed for those who want comfort and stability. Artificial teeth can replace one tooth, multiple consecutive ones, or even an entire arch of teeth. Unlike conventional dentures, which typically slide around when chewing on hard foods and can be uncomfortable, these replacements feel just like real teeth with no discomfort at all, even while eating.

Usually, the healing period of the jawbone and gum tissues takes around 3 to 6 months if everything goes well. Moreover, the highest success rate for dental implants is 98%, but they require upkeep and maintenance to last a lifetime. 


Learn more about Dental Implants: Costs, Procedures, Types & Benefits


How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?

Dental implants are usually expensive, but the price varies depending on your specific needs. For example, a bone graft or sinus lift could add to the cost of implants and make them more costly for you in general.

Single Implant Cost 

The cost of a single dental implant in Australia can vary between $3,000 and $6,500. According to the national dental fee survey in 2017, the average cost per tooth is around $5,563, so it’s safe to say you should expect to pay at least this much. 

Multiple Dental Implants Cost 

For a full upper implant or All-on-4 dental implants, the price would fall between $23,000 and $27,000 per fixed arch.

How Do Bone and Gum Grafts Affect the Cost of Dental Implants?

If you have lost a tooth and it has been some time since the incident, there is a big possibility that your jawbone has shrunk. If this happens, no implant can be placed successfully as bone needs to regenerate before holding one in place. Thus, you have to consider the expense of a bone graft, which will be an additional cost for the oral treatment. On average, the price is around $2,500 – $3,000, so you must determine if a bone graft is necessary and if the fee is already included in the treatment cost.

Dentures vs Dental Implants Cost 

With dental implant costs being so high, many people opt for removable dentures. Dentures are cheaper than implants, but they aren’t a healthy alternative as they can be less comfortable and unstable in your mouth, and they also need regular cleaning and adjustment. Poorly fitting dentures will also move within your mouth, making it harder to speak and eat. Furthermore, it can cause harm to adjacent teeth surfaces due to lack of stability from poorly fitted prosthetics.

As a non-invasive procedure, dentures or false teeth are cheaper than dental implants, but they can still be costly. They can cost anywhere from $1,000 – $3,000, as compared to implants that cost around $3,000 – $6,500 per tooth. Therefore, you should keep in mind that this is an investment before making a decision. It’s worth giving dental implant surgery more consideration, even if you’re leaning towards dentures right now because they’ll be cheaper in the long run.

Factors that Can Affect the Cost of Dental Implants

These are the factors that affect the cost of dental implant treatment: 

Dental Implant Materials/components

Titanium is the most common dental implant material because it bonds well with the bone. It is also bio-compatible, which means that it will not irritate your body when in contact with it. 

A titanium screw is usually reliable for anyone. Still, there may be some cases where we need to use an alternative, such as ceramic dental implants, due to metal allergies and sensitivities, affecting the price of surgical procedures involving mouth surgery.

The number of implants to complete the restoration – It is difficult to give the exact figure on the cost of tooth implants since it varies widely due to the number required and whether they will be placed in one or multiple teeth. If a person is missing just one tooth, then it might require only a single tooth implant for restoration. However, a full arch restoration will be needed if someone has many missing teeth, which can significantly increase the overall cost.

Bone Augmentation

If tooth loss happened a year or so ago, you are at risk of bone loss in your jaws. It happens because your natural teeth stimulate the jaw bone, making it strong and healthy. When a tooth is lost, the bone in that area slowly degenerates, which results in bone loss.

Bone density must be adequate for the procedure to occur, which means an additional step of bone grafting may need to happen if not enough has developed. It can prolong recovery time, but it’s necessary to make sure all goes well with the surgery itself.

Tooth Extraction

Tooth extraction can be done quickly and without much fuss. In some instances, an implant may even be placed on the same day as your tooth extraction if it is needed. However, in more complicated situations where a professional extraction needs to be done, this will increase the treatment price. However, basic tooth extraction is covered by dental insurance.

Does Medicare Cover Dental Implants?

Unfortunately, it’s not covered by medicare. The cost of dental care would be much more affordable if it were subsidised, but unfortunately, that’s not the case. Some patients manage their treatment plans in instalments, either by spreading out payment over a period of time or making a monthly payment option. There might be an alternative solution tailored to suit your needs, so don’t hesitate to ask.

Does Private Health Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

If your private health insurance provider covers the extras, including major dental procedures and surgery, don’t expect too much, as insurance reimbursement won’t be too generous. It is worth noting that most plans only give out about $500-$1500 in rebates. If you’re considering taking out new health coverage to avoid this payment gap, beware of one thing: You’ll need to wait 12 months before being eligible for a surgical procedure or other benefits offered by your plan.

Should I Go Overseas to Save Money on Dental Implants?

If you want to get dental implants abroad, like in Thailand, find out about the reputation of that dentist’s clinic. It is cheaper abroad because it has low-quality materials and questionable infection control, which puts you at risk of complications. Dental surgeons in Australia must go through strict regulatory requirements and extensive training before they can practise dentistry, so this provides some peace of mind during treatment as they are constantly monitored. Many offer payment plans so that you can pay the cost over time. While receiving top-quality treatment here at home, paying upfront seems too onerous or unmanageable.

Different Payment Plans are Available for Dental Implants

Afterpay

Afterpay allows you to divide the cost of your dental treatment over four equal fortnightly payments. It means you don’t need to wait to book your treatment, as long as you know you can pay it off over the payment period. If you settle all your repayments on time, you won’t pay any interest or additional fees.

Zippay

Another option would be using Zip Pay (more minor treatments under $1,000) or Zip Money (more extensive procedures over $1,000). Zip has flexible payment options of either weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments. However, minimum monthly repayments of $40 are required. However, paying only the minimum amount would not pay off your purchase within the interest-free period. Moreover, a 19.90% interest will be charged on the outstanding balance after the period expires. In addition, you’ll be charged an additional $6 monthly account fee. 

Humm

Similar to Zip, they have two products: buy little things and buy big things. For “little things”, you could apply for up to $2,000, and the amount would be divided into five fortnightly or ten weekly repayments. As for the “big things”, you could get approved for up to $5,000 online or through the app. The repayment would be made over 6, 12, 24, or even up to 60 months. 

Openpay

Your payment plan would depend on how much the price of the dental procedure is. It could range from 1 to 24 months. However, you have to pay for the first instalment on the day you use it, and you will spread the balance over weekly or fortnightly instalments.

In-house finance option

Many experienced dentists may have a monthly payment plan so that the cost would be manageable. You may inquire how much the expected monthly payment for your treatment will be to ensure it won’t cost more than expected.

Supercare

Many people don’t realise they have access to their superannuation funds at any time, even early on, with no penalties whatsoever. It could be used to finance your dental care needs, especially if your private health coverage is limited. Furthermore, there is no restriction as to how much you can withdraw from your fund. Hence, you must speak with your financial counsellor before applying, since it should only be used as a last resort after all considerations and options have been exhausted.

Final Thoughts

Dental implant surgery can be an expensive investment, but the cost is worth it in many cases. Several factors affect the cost of the surgery, including the type of implants, number of missing teeth, and additional procedures. If you’re considering dental implant placement to have a beautiful smile and want to know more about this procedure and whether it might be right for you, contact us at Burwood Dental Care today for a free consultation. We would love to discuss the costs associated with the dental implant procedure and answer any questions you have. You can reach us by phone at 03 7034 0333. 

Is dental bone graft worth it?

Bone grafting can successfully rebuild bone in areas where it is deficient, ensuring there is enough healthy bone for dental implant treatment. Another reason for having bone grafting is to help improve the overall aesthetics of treatment.

How long will bone graft last?

The graft "matures," or turns into your own bone, over a period of 3-6 months.

How painful is a bone graft?

Are Bone Grafts Painful? Not at all! We do them in our office every day. They are an outpatient procedure, and patients are typically sedated throughout the entire process.

How much is a bone graft after tooth extraction?

Bone Graft Cost A simple dental bone graft for a single implant area that uses synthetic bone can range between $300 to $800 in cost. Should the bone graft use bone harvested from the patient, hospitalization is required, and related cost is higher.