The cost of all-on-4 dental implants is likely a key factor in your decision to opt for this procedure. The all-on-4 dental implants system can transform your smile from no dentition to a complete set of fixed, functional teeth, but it is not an economical procedure.
Many people shy away from dental treatments that involve dental implants because of their exorbitant costs.
Even though more people have dental insurance today than ever before, the insurance benefit is usually capped at $1,500 – $2,000 annually, which is not enough to cover the cost of such sophisticated treatments.
Read below to know more about the cost of all-on-4 dental implants and to see if you can afford it.
How much do all-on-4 dental implants cost?
The average cost of all-on-4 dental implants falls in the range of $24,000 – $50,000 in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, United States, and most of developed countries.
That is a wide range but there are too many factors that contribute to the final cost of your treatment that it will be difficult to find the exact cost without getting an oral examination and discussing it with the dentist.
Cost break-down
The cost of a single implant is $1,600 – $2,000 and the abutment screw can cost an additional $200 – $500. This is the titanium screw fixed in the jaw bone.
A single crown can cost anywhere between $1,000 and $3,000, while the complete denture could set you back by over $8,000. Implant supported dentures are more expensive than traditional dentures.
Add to this the dentist’s fee, anesthesia, post-op medication and disposables, etc., which can range from $4,000 – $15,000, depending upon the standards of your clinic.
Where can you get lower cost all-on-4 implants?
The cost of all-on-4 implants in Asian countries starts in the region of $6,000 and for around $20,000 you can get premium quality treatment with the finest materials at a reputed clinic.
The lower costs should not concern you because you can find highly experienced, foreign trained dentists at JCI-accredited hospitals and services that are at par with the finest. It is mostly cheaper because of the lower cost of living in the Asia and the lower wages of the doctors and their entire staff.
Suffice to say, it is cheaper to run a dental clinic in Thailand than in the US, and the lower maintenance costs directly benefit you—the patient.
Here are some destinations you can consider for affordable all-on-4 implants:
All on 4 in India will cost you around $6,000. English speaking dentists, who treat high volumes of patients, are a draw for some patients, but many tourists also have concerns regarding the standards of treatment.
India is a vast country and finding a reliable dentist can be difficult. Contact us if you need assistance with finding a dentist you can trust.
All on 4 in Thailand – cost starts from $9,000. Thailand is a popular dental destination, especially among Europeans and Australians who throng dental clinics in Bangkok and Phuket for affordable dental care that is combined with a tranquil beach holiday.
The only major problem for dental tourists in Thailand is related to communication issues, although now many dental clinics have English speaking doctors and staff.
All on 4 in Malaysia – Medical tourism in Malaysia has a lot of potential as the hospital standards are good and language is not a problem. The country is still growing in terms of its potential as a dental tourism destination and you might want to research a little to find a reliable dentist in Malaysia.
All on 4 in South Korea – costs upto $18,000. South Korean surgeons are highly acclaimed and quite popular. The country is technologically superior and has many state-of-the-art facilities for catering to dental tourists. South Korea’s healthcare ministry also makes great effort to attract more medical tourists each year.
The two shortcomings are:
- Language: English is not widely spoken
- Cost: South Korea is not as affordable as other Asian countries
All on 4 in Mexico – costs between $9,500 and $12,000. The most popular place for Americans to seek affordable all on 4 implants is just across their southern border. Cities like Los Algodones and Tijuana have big clusters of dental clinics that attract thousands of tourists; some of these clinics provide excellent care. You must do your due diligence to find the right facility.
All on 4 in Costa Rica – costs around $12,000. This small Central American country is known for having some of the finest dental care and orthopedic clinics.
Understanding the cost of all-on-4 dental implants
There are two main components of this system: dental implants and the complete denture fixed over them.
The cost of all-on-4 dental implants is influenced by:
- The material of denture or crowns – Porcelain restorations are more expensive as compared to acrylic. Porcelain is also more life-like.
- Cost of implants – This concept was developed by implant manufacturer Nobel Biocare, so most dentists use their implants for all-on-4. The cost of similar implants varies in different clinics because different dentists charge according to their skills and clinic expenses.
- Additional procedures – Although all-on-4 implants eliminate the need for bone grafting, it may be required in some cases. Other procedures like extractions or removal of root stumps, gingival surgery or bone filing may increase your treatment costs.
- The geographic location of your dentist – The cost of all-on-4 dental implants, like that of most medical procedures, is lower in Asian countries as compared to other parts of the world.
Even within a country the costs are not uniform throughout—dentists in big cities charge more than those in suburbs or smaller towns.
Is it worth the cost?
According to its initiator, Nobel Biocare, 98% of people report to be happy with their all-on-4 dental implants.
These are clearly beneficial for those who have been struggling with clumsy, uncomfortable dentures.
What about the longevity of all-on-4 implants? The results so far have been are promising. A longitudinal study found that 99.2% of prostheses in this treatment lasted longer than 10 years and declared this to be a viable treatment option for teeth restoration in completely edentulous patients.
Benefits of all-on-4 dental implants
- Comfortable: Permanent, fixed denture as an alternative to your agonizing dentures that have to be removed and reinserted every day
- No bone grafting: Eliminates the need for bone grafting that would otherwise be required in traditional implant placement
- Time saving: Immediate load implants can be used for all-on-4, if the patient meets the set criteria
- Cost saving: Uses only four implants per jaw, so it is lower priced as compared to other similar treatments that require 6, 8, or 10 dental implants
Financing your all-on-4 treatment
You don’t have to pay an arm and leg to finance your all-on-4 implants, even though it might feel so.
Many clinics have financing plans for one, two, or five years to help you pay for your treatment costs.
Your other option is to find a reliable dentist overseas, and get the treatment at a fraction of the price your local dentist is quoting.
Is it safe to travel for low-cost all on 4 implants?
Even after spending upwards of $30,000 on dental implants, sometimes people are extremely uncomfortable and unhappy with the results of their dental work; on the other hand there are those who cannot stop flashing their smile after getting it fixed for under $8,000.
Expensive does not always mean better. You must conduct your research, ask questions, and go with the doctor that feels right, irrespective of where he is located.