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Dental Implant Cost – How To Save Money On Dental Implant Treatment?

Faris Kirmani • January 28, 2022

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There’s no denying that dental implant treatment is one of the best things that you can do for your teeth and jaw. Implants can stabilise the jaw, restore full functionality, and create a lifelike restoration that becomes a working part of the mouth. Yet, the dental implant cost here in Australia is high.

Research shows that the average cost of a tooth replacement using an implant-based restoration is around $5,514 per tooth. That’s a lot of money in anyone’s language and is one of the reasons why some people choose not to proceed with treatment. This is despite the evident and plentiful benefits that dental implant treatment can bring.

So here’s the question…

How can you get the missing tooth treatment you need without having to spend a fortune?

Go abroad, maybe?

Of course, you could always travel abroad to places like Bali, the Philippines, and Thailand, where dental implants cost up to 60% less; indeed, over 15,000 people every year do precisely that. However, there are many risks associated with travelling abroad for treatment that you wouldn’t need to consider when you undergo dental implant treatment here at home. Way too many to explain in this post.

So let’s assume that you don’t particularly want to gamble with your overall health, and this isn’t the answer. Is there any way of lowering your dental implants cost while undergoing treatment back home? Let’s take a closer look.

Tip #1 - Choose out-of-city locations

Believe it or not, dental implants can cost more in city-centre locations. It’s understandable when you consider places like Sydney are among the top fifteen most expensive cities in the world. Any dental clinic located right in the heart of Sydney is likely to have higher overheads which are inevitably passed down to the patient in higher treatment costs.

Alternatively, if you travel a few miles away from the CBD and head into the surrounding suburbs, dental implants can cost around 5% -10% less.

Tip #2 – Go with an experienced general dentist

While dental implant treatment is not a specialist procedure, many specialist prosthodontists and oral surgeons perform this treatment. Typically they will charge more for their services because of their knowledge and experience in this field.

Alternatively, there are a number of highly experienced general dentists who regularly carry out implant-based restorations where the dental implant cost is slightly less. Take our dentist Dr Kirmani for example. He is a highly experienced dentist who has successfully performed many dental implant treatments on patients of all ages. He regularly undergoes training to ensure he stays up to date with the latest techniques and is passionate about aesthetics.

Tip #3 – Check your medical cover

While Medicare does not cover the cost of dental implant treatment in most circumstances, it may be possible to get some coverage on your health insurance extras cover under the ‘major dental’ category.

As a top tip, always check the small print, particularly the periodontics category. If your policy covers periodontics and does not specifically exclude dental implants, then the good news is that you could be covered.

It’s always advisable to check with your insurer to be sure and be ready to pay some out-of-pocket expenses because your benefit will not cover the entire dental implant cost. Nevertheless, some coverage is better than paying the total price, agreed?

Oh, and remember that even if your insurance does cover you for dental implant restorations, there is usually a 12 month waiting period before submitting a claim.

Tip #4 - Take advantage of flexible payment plans

One way to limit the initial cost of dental implants is to take advantage of flexible payment plans. Many dental clinics, including Riverlands Dental, also provide dental payment plans which allow you to spread the cost of treatments like dental implants over a series of months.

Many are low interest or interest-free, and in most cases, the application is quick and easy.

As a top tip, if you visit a dentist that offers a no-obligation consultation, you can always ask them if they provide payment plans and the eligibility factor. In most cases

You must be over 18 years old
Be an Australian citizen
Have a good credit history and
Can provide proof of address

But criteria for eligibility can vary from company to company.

Tip #5 – Look for promotional offers

Because dentistry in Australia is highly competitive, clinics are vying for business. As such, many have promotional offers to save on the cost of dental implant treatment. Why not get a consultation at your local dental clinic and ask them if they currently run any offers on dental implant treatment. Some will offer a special one-time-only offer with a percentage off. So it’s worth shopping around.

So there you have it, five great tips on how you can save money on dental implant cost here in Australia without compromising quality.

Here at Riverlands Dental in North Richmond, we provide the latest dental implant restorations performed by a highly-experienced team in a modern setting. Book a personalised dental consultation near you by calling the Riverlands team on (02) 4501 7930 today or book online to kickstart your journey towards a life-changing smile that you can be proud of.

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