If you’re considering a dental implant, one of the first questions you’ll probably have is: how much does a dental implant cost?
For a straightforward single-tooth dental implant at our Glasgow dental practice, the usual cost is £2,850.
This includes:
- Implant placement – £1,600
- Implant crown and abutment – £1,250
- Digital surgical guide
- X-rays required during treatment
- Review appointments
For many patients, this is all that’s required. However, every mouth is different, and occasionally additional treatment is needed before or during implant treatment.
Why can dental implant costs vary?
A dental implant needs healthy bone and gums to support it. Before recommending treatment, we assess the area carefully to make sure an implant is suitable and can be placed safely.
Some patients have plenty of healthy bone and require a relatively straightforward implant. Others may have lost bone following an extraction, infection, gum disease or simply because the tooth has been missing for a long time.
Depending on your individual situation, additional costs may include:
- Straightforward tooth extraction – £130
- Ridge preservation or a small bone graft – around £550
- More extensive bone grafting – from approximately £1,500
- Temporary tooth options – typically £250–£550 per tooth
We’ll always discuss whether any of these are actually necessary before treatment begins.
Will I need a temporary tooth?
Understandably, many patients are concerned about being left with a gap while their implant heals.
There are several ways we can provide a temporary tooth, depending on where the missing tooth is and your individual circumstances. Options can include a removable temporary tooth, temporary denture, temporary bridge or, in suitable cases, a fixed temporary tooth attached to the implant.
Temporary solutions typically cost between £250 and £550 per tooth, depending on what’s required.
Not everyone needs a temporary tooth, and we’ll discuss this with you as part of your treatment planning.
What if I need more than one dental implant?
If you need several implants, the cost isn’t necessarily £2,850 multiplied by the number of implants.
When we’re able to place multiple implants during the same treatment session, there can be savings in clinical time and some of the associated costs.
Where possible, we pass these savings on to our patients. Multiple-implant treatments are therefore individually priced depending on the number of implants required and the complexity of treatment.
Dental implants: financial cost versus biological cost
When comparing different ways of replacing a missing tooth, we think it’s important to consider two different types of cost: the financial cost and the biological cost.
The financial cost is straightforward – it’s how much you pay for the treatment.
The biological cost is slightly different. It’s about what we have to do to your existing teeth and tissues to provide that treatment.
For example, a conventional dental bridge can be an excellent way of replacing a missing tooth. However, depending on the type of bridge, the teeth on either side of the gap may need to be drilled and reshaped to support it.
If those neighbouring teeth are already heavily filled or crowned, that may be perfectly reasonable. But if they’re healthy and untouched, we’re potentially removing healthy tooth tissue to replace a completely different tooth.
A dental implant works independently. The implant is placed into the jaw in the position of the missing tooth and supports its own crown.
This means we can often replace a missing tooth without drilling or altering the healthy teeth beside it.
So although the initial financial cost of an implant can appear significant, we also consider the longer-term value of preserving as much of your natural dentition as possible.
That doesn’t mean an implant is always better than a bridge. There are situations where a bridge is an excellent option. The important thing is understanding both the financial and biological costs of each treatment before making your decision.
What does an implant consultation involve?
Our dental implant consultation costs £85.
At the appointment, we’ll carry out a comprehensive assessment of your teeth, gums and bite to determine whether implant treatment is appropriate.
We’ll also take photographs and a digital 3D scan of your teeth.
Where required, we’ll take a 3D CBCT scan of your jaw, which costs £135. This provides detailed information about the amount and position of the available bone and allows us to assess important anatomical structures before planning your implant.
Following your assessment, we’ll provide you with a written summary explaining:
- Your treatment options
- The expected costs
- Risks and benefits
- Expected treatment timeframe
This means you’ll have a clear understanding of what’s involved and what your treatment is expected to cost before deciding whether you’d like to proceed.
Can I spread the cost of dental implant treatment?
Yes. We offer both interest-free and interest-bearing finance options to help patients spread the cost of implant treatment.
Our Patient Care Coordinator, Pamela, can explain the different options available and answer any questions you may have about costs and finance.
How much should I budget for a dental implant?
For a straightforward single missing tooth, a useful starting figure at our practice is £2,850 for the implant and final tooth, plus the £85 implant consultation and £135 3D CBCT scan where required.
If you require an extraction, bone grafting or a temporary tooth, these will add to the overall cost.
We don’t believe in hiding these potential additional costs behind a headline price. Every implant case is different, so once we’ve assessed you, we’ll explain exactly what we recommend and provide a clear written treatment plan and quotation.
Considering a dental implant in Glasgow?
If you’re missing a tooth, have a tooth that needs to be removed, or have previously been told you may need an implant, an implant consultation is the best way to understand what’s possible in your particular situation.
You can contact us to arrange an implant consultation or speak to our Patient Care Coordinator, Pamela, if you’d like some initial information about treatment, costs or finance.
There is no obligation to proceed with treatment following your consultation. Our aim is to give you clear information about your options so you can decide what’s right for you.
