A guide to dental implant costs in Australia

This article was updated 03/2024 to include the most accurate information about dental implant costs in Australia.

When you lose a tooth (or teeth), the pain you feel isn’t just from the missing tooth. There’s also the pain of knowing what to do next. Should I get it replaced? How do I go about getting it replaced? And is it worth the cost? 

Before you know it, you’re lost down a rabbit hole of uncertainty and confusion. 

If you’ve already started your tooth replacement research journey, you’ve probably looked into dental implants as an option. Your dentist may have even suggested it as a treatment. And they’re certainly a great choice. Dental implants are hard wearing, long lasting, and look natural. 

Unfortunately, they’re also expensive. 

We can’t hide the fact that dental implants in Australia are pricey, and that the cost of getting them is a major barrier for a lot of people. But we can help you understand why the price tag is so high so you decide whether it’s the best treatment option for you. 

In our dental implants cost guide we’ll cover: 

• what they are 
• how they’re fitted 
• the cost of dental implants in Australia
• variables that influence that cost
• whether your private health insurance will cover the cost of dental implants. 

What are dental implants? And how do they work?

Dental implants are a type of dental restoration procedure that’s done in two parts. The first part involves fitting a titanium screw into the jawbone. This is the implant, and it does the same job as a natural tooth’s root. Once the implant is in place the second part of the procedure is performed, namely placing a natural-looking ceramic crown on top of the implant. 

Full mouth dental implants, sometimes referred to as All on 4 implants, are an option if you’re missing several teeth from the upper or lower jaw. The procedure for full mouth implants is similar to getting a single one. Titanium screw-like fittings are evenly spaced into the jawbone to anchor a whole row of prosthetic teeth.

From the initial consultation to placing the final crown there are at least four appointments, spaced out over three to six months. This not only allows enough healing time after each part of the procedure, but also keeps the in-chair time manageable for you. 

We’ll look at other variables that affect how long it takes to fit an implant shortly. But the main thing to remember is that at the end of the treatment you’ll have a long-lasting tooth implant that looks and feels like your natural teeth, and works just as well. 

The five steps of dental implant treatment

Despite what you might read, dental implant treatment can’t be completed in one day. There are parts that can be done in a day, such as fitting the titanium implant. But the preparation, procedure, and fitting the final prosthetic means the whole process takes 3-6 months.

During that time, your dentist will guide you through these 5 steps.

Step 1 – Initial consultation

The first step is working out if you’re a good candidate for dental implants by:
looking at your teeth

• taking scans and x-rays of your gums and jawbones
• discussing your lifestyle (e.g. whether you smoke)
• discussing any current oral health challenges that need addressing

Step 2 – Planning for implant surgery

The planning phase involves treating any existing gum disease, designing your temporary and final implant prosthetic, and discussing extra dental work such as tooth extraction, sinus lift, or gum and bone grafting that may need doing at the same time as fitting the implant.

Careful planning means that once the ball is rolling, your treatment process is as smooth as possible.

Step 3 – Fitting the implant

Any tooth extractions, grafting treatment and sinus lifts are done at this stage, during the same appointment as fitting the implant. If you’re having full mouth implants or your implant is a visible front tooth, we’ll fit your temporary arch or crown. (Which is usually made from acrylic.)

You will leave the practice with teeth, but they won’t be your final ones. It takes around three months for your bone and gums to fuse around the implants, during which time, your final prosthetics are designed, milled, and painted.

Step 4 – Final prosthetic placement

Your final prosthetic teeth are milled from zirconia ceramic. This material is stronger than acrylic and lasts longer. But the real benefit is that ceramic looks and feels more natural. The prosthetic is fitted to the implant and we’ll explain how to care for your implant.

Step 5 – Routine check-up

Roughly two weeks after the final prosthetic is fitted, you’re asked to come in for a check-up so we can make sure everything is healing correctly. If you’ve had All on 4 treatment, we may need to fine-tune your full arch or bridge if you’re feeling any discomfort.

Understanding how the dental implant procedure works hopefully gives you some context regarding treatment length.

Getting implant treatment that’s effective, lasts a lifetime and won’t result in implant failure, can’t be done and dusted in a day. And, inevitably, providing this level of care comes with a higher price tag.

The cost of dental implants in Australia

Because dental implants are expensive, it’s a treatment you’ll usually only find offered in private practices. As independent businesses, practices set their own fees. This means the cost of getting dental implants in Australia varies widely from state to state, and even from practice to practice. 

Private dental practices are independent businesses that set their own fees, causing the cost of dental implants to vary from state to state, and even from practice to practice.

To help us understand tooth implant fees—and the costs of other common dental work—the Australian Dental Association (ADA) runs a fee survey. This gives us the lowest and highest dental costs in Australia for different treatments, as well as the mean fee for each one. 

According to the latest ADA Fees Survey from 2020, the lowest price for an implant is $3,049, and the highest is $7,175. As you can see, that’s quite a range. These costs are for a single implant, and only include the cost for the main components and procedures for:

• the implant fixture (the screw-like implant)
• the crown that sits on top of the fixture
• the cost of inserting the abutment. 

The cost of the dental implant treatment you need may be more or less than this due to:

• x-rays
• extra consultations 
• the practice’s individual process for prepping and fitting implants
• additional procedures such as bone grafting and/or tissue regeneration surgery. 

Add these up, and the realistic estimate for a single dental implant grows to around $6,000–$8,000.

For a full explanation of dental implant costs at Keppel Dental, download our implant cost guide.

The cost of full mouth dental implants in Australia

The price of All on 4 implants in Australia is anything between $18,000 and $30,000. This treatment is subject to the same cost variables as a single implant. But because more materials are needed in terms of number of implants and to create the full arch or bridge, the price increases.

From a dental practitioners point of view, the labour is fairly similar whether we’re placing one implant or many. So that shouldn’t affect costs.

At Keppel Dental, our price is $21,000 for an upper or lower arch. Although the investment could be slightly more or less than this depending on any extra dental treatment you need before implant placement.

One thing to be aware of if you’re shopping around to find the best price for full mouth dental implants, is that if you need to travel to the practitioner you will encounter hidden costs of All on 4. Seeing a dental professional that’s beyond your local area isn’t a bad thing. But make sure you budget for extra flights, hotel, and amenities during your treatment.

Protections and guarantees if your implant fails

Given how pricey implants are it makes sense that patients want reassurance their treatment will be a success and their investment worthwhile. Implant failure is a worst case scenario. But it does happen. So what’s the go if your exy implant falls out? Who foots the bill to fix it?

Well, this depends on where you received treatment. Some practitioners offer guarantees such as free care or replacement in the first 12 months. Other practises don’t offer anything. If you need correctional treatment—from your original practitioner or a different one—you’re expected to pay for it.

The best way to minimise the risk of implant failure is with careful pre-procedure planning.
Dental implants that are placed into a healthy mouth shouldn’t fail. In fact, studies by the Journal of Oral Implantology and BMC Oral Health have shown that only two to four percent of dental implants fail. (That’s very low.)

At your initial consult, don’t be afraid to bring up the topic of implant failure. Ask your dentist what steps they take to ensure procedure success, what may cause your implant to fail, and what action they take if implant failure occurs.

Six factors that affect the fee 

The path to getting dental implants isn’t the same for everyone. So when talking about dental implant costs, we need to emphasise that personal treatment plans are essential to understanding the total investment. A dentist looks at several factors before fitting the actual implant, all of which can affect the overall cost of the treatment. 

1. Current oral health

Dental implants are best placed in a healthy mouth. Before we decide whether it’s the right dental restoration option for you, we’ll look at the current health of your teeth and gums. If there are underlying issues that could affect the implant (such as gum disease), we’ll treat and resolve those first.

2. Extra dental work

To make way for your new implant, you may need dental surgery. For example, you may need a tooth removed if it hasn’t already been lost. We may also consider a sinus lift (for top-tooth implants) or a lower jaw bone graft so there’s enough healthy jaw space to fit the screw. This ensures it’s placed into stable, strong bone that’s free of decay or damage.  

3. The number of implants being fitted

We usually talk about dental implants in the singular. However, you can get multiple implants that replace a few teeth at a time, or even full-mouth dental implants. As you probably guessed, the more dental implants that are needed, the higher the overall cost. But placing multiple implants at the same time reduces the cost of each implant. Setting up for a dental implant procedure once is more economical than doing it multiple times on separate occasions. And that fact, we’re happy to say, is reflected in the final fee.   

4. Implant size and placement 

Implants come in different lengths and diameters. The size of the implant depends on the amount of bone available and the distance between the teeth. 

5. The implant’s manufacturer  

There’s no one dental implant manufacturer in Australia. As with most dental equipment and supplies, a number of companies produce them. And each company delivers its own take on implants. Some companies invest more on research and manufacturing than others, which leads to a higher quality at a higher price. 

6. Your dentist’s experience and location

Your dentist’s location and experience can also affect the price. The practice’s overheads, and the dentist’s ongoing specialist training to keep up with the latest treatment for patients, may be reflected in the price of implants and other services. 

Claiming dental implants on health insurance

Dental implant treatment is considered major dental work. Some Australian health insurers will cover the procedure. Always check whether dental is included in your health insurance or if you need to add it as an extra. 

It’s also worth noting that because tooth implants are costly, policies may state how many implants you’re entitled to claim in a given time period. For example, you may be able to claim one implant every six months. 

It’s really easy to find the information out. Your dentist can quickly swipe your health fund card to see:

• whether your insurance policy covers the item codes needed for your treatment 
• what the cost gap will be.

What about a Medicare kickback?

Chances are you won’t be able to claim any dental implant costs on Medicare. Medicare doesn’t cover ‘most dental services’ or ‘cosmetic surgery’ at the moment, which is what dental implants are usually classed as. 

Weighing up if dental implants are worth the cost

There’s no escaping the reality that dental implants cost a lot. But patients who go ahead with this treatment rarely regret it. Compared to other tooth replacement options, such as dentures, many patients find implants comfortable and easier to take care of. 

The first step to getting dental implants is speaking with a dentist who offers dental implant treatment. They’ll help you understand whether it’s the right restorative dental treatment for you and your lifestyle.

If you’re in the Yeppoon and Rockhampton area, book a dental implant consultation with Dr Luke, Keppel Dental’s lead implant and All on 4 dentist. He can do an initial assessment, and discuss dental implant treatment and interest-free payment plans that will work for you and your budget. 

Not ready to book an appointment?

No worries. If you’re still at the stage of gathering information about dental implants and what the treatment involves, our growing article library on the topic can help.

When to consider dental implants

Ask a dentist: Answering the top 11 dental implant questions