Thinking about finally getting the smile you deserve but unsure about the cost of full mouth dental implants?
It’s important to know what goes into determining the price of a new smile with dental implants as not only can the price vary based on where you go, so can the results.
When it comes to a life changing procedure like getting dental implants, you want to know what you’re paying for and you certainly don’t want to overpay for poor results.
Here are the top 9 factors that will influence the cost of your new smile AND the questions you need to ask your provider so you really know what you’re getting.
See if you may be a candidate for full mouth dental implants with this 60-second quiz
9 Secret Factors That Influence the Cost of Full Mouth Dental Implants
9. Geographic Location
Did you know that where you live could affect the cost of full mouth dental implants?
If you're in a big city, like Los Angeles or New York, expect higher costs.
Why? Because of the overall higher cost of living, including rent and overhead for dental offices.
Interestingly, you could save money by traveling to a different city or state that has lower costs of living, even after accounting for travel expenses.
8. In-House vs. Outside Labs
Another factor is where the prosthetics (fake teeth) are made. It is common practice to outsource the making of the teeth to a third party dental lab.
Most dental clinics will have a relationship with a dental lab that will service and make their prosthetics. These outside labs can be local, out of state, or sometimes even international!
The materials and labor costs of the outside lab will likely end up getting added to the total cost of treatment for the patient.
Other dental clinics will have an in-house lab with lab technicians on staff to address all the needs of the clinic.
An in-house lab means that there would be better control of making the teeth every step of the way. The in-house lab is also only servicing the needs of the clinic and not multiple other clinics.
At Nuvia, we do just that! Having an in-house lab helps control the cost and quality of the materials. Our technicians are craftsmen in fabricating full mouth implant prosthetics day in and day out!
Simplifying the clinic to lab workflow, increases the efficiency of the clinic and decreases the materials ordering processes, allowing the savings in both time and money to be passed on to the patients.
7. Single Tooth vs. Full Mouth & What’s Included
Do you need just one tooth replaced, or are you looking for a full-mouth restoration? The answer will affect how much you pay.
Treatment plan fees structures will differ depending on the clinic. However, it is common to receive a treatment cost estimate in an itemized form.
For example, there may be a charge for the implant, separate charge for the implant crown/bridge, and a separate charge for bone grafting.
This can get very long and very confusing, especially if your treatment plan will require many implants or full mouth of restorations.
Nuvia recognizes these challenges and has simplified the process, by offering a flat fee for their services. This means that the fee is inclusive of all procedures from implant surgery to final prosthetics.
What’s more important than money? Time.
Once a treatment plan is made by your dental provider, it is important to ask the sequence of visits, duration of treatment, and subsequent follow-ups.
Besides cost savings, time savings should also be considered in the decision making process. Here are some examples of follow-up questions to ask your dental provider:
- How many appointments will it take to complete the treatment plan?
- Once the treatment is done, how often do I come in for follow-ups? Is there a cost associated with the follow-ups?
- If I have to travel after the procedure or move to a new location, can you help me find someone?
Knowing the fixed cost of full mouth dental implants means no surprises after the procedure and, at Nuvia, includes any follow up visits.
6. Bone Grafting Alternatives
When it comes to dental implants, bone is real estate!
Implants can only be placed in bone. If there is inadequate bone height, thickness, or volume that could hold an implant, then an implant cannot be placed in that area; at least not immediately.
You may need additional surgical procedures like bone grafting or sinus augmentation before implants can be placed. These additional procedures add to the costs and extend your treatment time.
Often, they will need to involve an additional surgery. The first surgery to do the bone grafting procedure. The second surgery for the implant placement.
Unfortunately, bone loss is a natural process that happens anytime a tooth is decayed, infected, or lost. The longer the area is untreated the higher the possibility of ridge resorption (bone loss).
Is there any way to skip the grafting for full mouth dental implants?
Not everyone is a candidate for this, but an alternative solution could be zygomatic implants. These implants are limited to ONLY the maxillary prosthetics (upper teeth).
They are implants that go into the cheekbone and therefore won’t need to use the upper jawbone at all. You should talk to your doctor if these dental implants are appropriate for you.
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5. Doctor Experience Level
Experience matters! A highly skilled surgeon can make the difference between dental implants that can last a lifetime (with proper care), or dental implants that could fail.
Experienced doctors perform more procedures, have advanced training, and can avoid complications that lead to costly follow-up surgeries.
Don’t settle for less-experienced providers offering low prices to drum up business—your full mouth dental implants are an investment in your future.
At Nuvia, the oral surgeons and restorative doctors perform dental implant procedures day in and day out. They see the whole spectrum from the standard cases to the more complex ones!
Make sure you’re in safe and experienced hands. Be sure to ask your provider the questions listed later in this article.
4. Quality of Materials Used
There are mainly 2 types of materials that can be used to make your prosthetic teeth.
- Acrylic, which is often used for temporary teeth or dentures, is less expensive but also less durable than zirconia.
- Zirconia is stronger than acrylic and because of its durability, may have a higher initial cost. However, in the long run it may be more cost effective as it is less prone to breaking or be damaged than acrylic teeth.
While there may be cost savings with acrylic initially, there will be more future costs in repairs or replacement than getting the zirconia from the beginning.
At Nuvia, we provide permanent zirconia teeth within 24 hours after your surgery, so you get high quality permanent teeth without the wait.
3. Out-of-Country Procedures (Dental Tourism)
Tempted to travel abroad for cheaper dental implants? Be cautious.
While some countries may offer lower prices, the quality of care and materials might not meet U.S. standards. It is difficult to track where these materials are coming from.
Many patients who opt for dental tourism end up needing costly corrections once they return home. Within a short period of time, sometimes the work fails and it can more expensive to fix.
If something goes wrong, traveling back and forth for adjustments isn’t easy.
Whether you go to a local Nuvia or travel within the U.S to a Nuvia Dental Implant Center, you can rest assured knowing your dental implants are backed by quality care right here in the U.S.
Find a Nuvia Near You OR Travel to a Nuvia for Permanent Teeth in 24 Hours
2. Anesthesia Options
Do you want to be awake or sedated for your implant procedure? The type of anesthesia used in your procedure can also impact the cost. Let’s break it down into some of the major types your provider may offer.
- Local anesthesia: injection of anesthesia medication that numbs the area of the mouth being worked on. Typically, it is used for smaller areas of the mouth and only provides numbing. Patients will be awake during the procedure.
- IV sedation: IV line is started in the patient in which medicine is pushed through the IV line. The patient will be “semi-conscious” during the procedure. Think of it like you are in a twilight state and not fully awake, but not fully asleep.
- General anesthesia: Deepest sedation where you will be completely asleep and vitals are monitored while the procedure is happening.
These are the 3 most common types. There are more options and you can talk with your doctor about which is more appropriate for you.
1. Permanent Teeth in 24 Hours
You got more going on in your life than worrying about your teeth, right? Are you ready to change overnight?
You can get your permanent, zirconia teeth 24 hours after your dental implant procedure. No waiting for months with uncomfortable temporary teeth. No wax try-in dentures.
The traditional approach can take months and involve temporary acrylic teeth. Nuvia’s digital mapping technology makes it possible for you to walk out with a permanent set of zirconia teeth in just one day.
Patients love the time they save, the ability to use their new teeth on a soft-food diet right away, and the rapid smile transformation they experience overnight.
Keep in mind, permanent teeth in 24 hours is a drastically different experience than “teeth-in-a-day”. Unlike how it sounds, “teeth-in-a-day” procedures do not restore patient smiles with a permanent solution in just one day.
“Teeth-in-a-day” involves patients getting temporary teeth right away that they then have to wear for what could be up to 10+ months before getting their permanent teeth.
Skip the hassle of “teeth-in-a-day” and see if you may be a candidate for permanent teeth in 24 hours with this quiz:
Questions to Ask Your Provider
The experience level of your dental implant provider not only is a factor that impacts cost, it will certainly impact your experience and the final result of your smile restoration. Don’t forget to ask potential providers these questions BEFORE getting dental implants.
- How many full mouth restorations have they done or do they usually do each year?
- How many implants has the doctor placed?
- Do they place them on a regular basis?
Other questions you’ll want to ask are about anesthesia and the material of your new teeth:
- What kind of anesthesia and who will be providing you with it?
- What material is being used for your permanent teeth? What kind of quality is it?
About Dr. Jacqueline Chow
Dr. Chow received her dental education at the University of Texas Health Science Center School of Dentistry in Houston, Texas. Her desire to treat complex cases and provide high-quality restorative care led her to specialize in Prosthodontics at The Ohio State University. There, she completed an additional three year residency in Advanced Prosthodontics, where she served as Chief Resident. Her training focused on full mouth rehabilitations, dental implant restorations, CAD/CAM dentistry, and digital implant planning. While in residency, she completed her Masters of Science in Dental Medicine, researching dental implant connection geometries and their effect on implant prosthetics. Dr. Chow is an active member in the American College of Prosthodontics.
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