All-on-4 Dental Implants Cost: What Makes Them Costly?

Many people deal with tooth loss by getting dentures because they are the most affordable tooth replacement solution. However, conventional dentures have many disadvantages. Dental implants are a better solution because they look, feel, and function more like natural teeth. Unfortunately, cost is often a factor.

There is a third solution: All-on-4 dental implants.

The average cost of All-on-4 dental implants is around $12,000 per arch or $24,000 for both. However, it is important to note that there are several factors that can impact the final cost of treatment.

These Factors are: 

• Location and Reputation of the Dental Clinic

  A well-known dental clinic located in a busy metropolitan area will typically charge more for dental procedures than one that is located outside of town in a more rural location.

• Experience and Expertise of the Surgeon

   A surgeon that has been in the field for many years and has been doing implants for a while will usually charge more than one that is just starting out. However, you must be careful when using a newer surgeon, as they may not be familiar with the process. Your risk of complications and implant failure is often higher with an inexperienced surgeon.

• Material Choices for Implants and Prosthetic Teeth

  Standard dental implants are made of titanium, which is biocompatible. Unfortunately, there are other metals included in titanium that can cause an allergic reaction in some patients. In this case, zirconia - a ceramic-based material may be used, which can be more expensive.

  The standard prosthetic teeth are made from porcelain, which is known to be durable and long-lasting. However, you can reduce the cost of your prosthetic teeth by choosing composite resin, but they will not last as long as porcelain. On the other hand, if you want a higher quality option, you can choose zirconia teeth, which are more expensive and are just as durable and long-lasting as porcelain.

• Diagnostic and Imaging Procedures

  Most dental clinics include these in the cost of the implants, some do not. In some cases, your dental insurance will cover a portion of these procedures even if they do not cover the implant procedure. The office staff of the clinic will work with your provider to determine coverage.

• Additional Treatments or Procedures Required that add to All On 4 Dental Implants Cost

  • Dental implants require sufficient jawbone density to support the implants. If you do not have satisfactory jawbone density, you may require bone grafting and/or sinus lift procedures. 
  • If you have some natural teeth remaining that cannot be salvaged through other procedures, you may need extractions.
  • Finally, gums must be healthy for dental implant placement, which means if you have active gum disease, that must be treated before implants can be placed.  
  • Local anesthesia is included in the cost of the procedure. However, if you need oral or IV sedation, an additional fee will be added to the final cost.

  All of these procedures can increase the cost of your All-on-4 dental implant system procedure.

There are several fees involved in the cost of the All-on-4 system:

• Restorative dentist and oral surgeon
• Dental implants and prosthetic teeth
• Pre- and post-operative treatments
• Anesthesia/sedation fees, if needed
• Follow up visits
• Maintenance costs

While the average cost of All-on-4 dental implants is around $20,000 per arch, there is no national standard. 

Pricing is discretionary and can be set by each individual clinic. Some regions are more expensive than others due to the cost of living and other factors.

One way that you may save money on your All-on-4 dental implants is through dental tourism. This is the act of traveling to another country to have the procedure done. Most dental tourism locations are 70% to 80% cheaper than in the United States.

While lower cost does not necessarily equate to lower quality, it is important to keep a few things in mind when considering dental tourism:

• Language barrier
• Recovering away from home
• Need to travel if you have complications or need adjustments

Many dental insurance providers label All-on-4 dental implants as a cosmetic procedure, which means it is not medically necessary. 

However, if you have complications due to tooth loss, your insurance company may cover a portion of the treatment.

Most dental clinics accept third-party financing through companies such as CareCredit, LendingClub, Sunbit, and more. In some cases, they may offer in-house financing to help you pay for your treatment. If you have a health savings plan or flexible spending account, you can often use those funds to pay for your treatment as well. You will need to discuss your options with the office staff.

If you still need help paying for your treatment, there are dental grants that you may qualify for. Some are geared more toward low-income patients or mothers, while anyone can qualify for others. Most of the time, the grants have a specified purpose: dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, veneers, dentures, etc. You can speak with the office staff of your dental clinic to learn more about these options as well.

Give us a call! Legacy Dental is a state of the art dental clinic in Millcreek, Salt Lake City, UT and rated as one of the top 5 dental clinics in Salt Lake City. 

1. What Is All On 4? Bexley Dental
2. How Much Do All on 4 Dental Cost? Soundview Family Dental
3. How Much Do Dental Implants Cost In 2023? Forbes Health