Dental implants are the most durable and natural-feeling option for replacing missing teeth, but they come with a significant cost. Here is what Canadians can expect to pay.
Average dental implant costs in Canada
Single implant
| Component | Cost |
|---|---|
| Implant post (titanium screw) | $1,500–$3,000 |
| Abutment (connector piece) | $500–$1,000 |
| Crown (visible tooth) | $1,000–$2,000 |
| Total per tooth | $3,000–$6,000 |
Multiple implants
| Treatment | Cost |
|---|---|
| 2 implants | $6,000–$12,000 |
| 3-4 implants (bridge on implants) | $9,000–$20,000 |
| All-on-4 (full arch, one jaw) | $20,000–$35,000 |
| All-on-4 (both jaws) | $40,000–$70,000 |
| Full mouth individual implants | $60,000–$100,000+ |
Additional procedures that may be needed
| Procedure | Cost | When Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Bone graft | $500–$3,000 | Insufficient jawbone density |
| Sinus lift | $1,500–$3,000 | Upper jaw implants with thin bone |
| Tooth extraction | $150–$400 | Removing damaged tooth first |
| CT scan / 3D imaging | $200–$500 | Treatment planning |
| Temporary prosthetic | $500–$1,500 | While implant heals (3-6 months) |
Costs by province
| Province | Single Implant (Total) | All-on-4 (One Jaw) |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $3,500–$6,500 | $22,000–$35,000 |
| BC | $3,500–$6,500 | $23,000–$37,000 |
| Alberta | $3,000–$5,500 | $20,000–$32,000 |
| Quebec | $3,000–$5,500 | $18,000–$30,000 |
| Atlantic | $2,500–$5,000 | $18,000–$28,000 |
| Prairies (SK, MB) | $2,800–$5,000 | $18,000–$30,000 |
Prices are highest in Toronto and Vancouver due to higher overhead costs. Smaller cities and Atlantic provinces tend to be 15-25% cheaper.
Insurance coverage
Employer dental plans
| Scenario | Typical Coverage |
|---|---|
| Plan covers implants | 50-80% up to annual maximum ($1,500-5,000) |
| Plan covers crown only | Crown covered as major restorative; implant post not covered |
| Plan excludes implants | $0 coverage (common in basic plans) |
Example: $5,000 single implant
| Good Coverage | Basic Coverage | No Coverage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total cost | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Insurance pays | $2,500 (50%, max $5,000) | $1,000 (crown only) | $0 |
| You pay | $2,500 | $4,000 | $5,000 |
Government coverage
Government dental plans rarely cover implants. The new Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) covers some restorative work but implant coverage is limited. Provincial programs like Ontario Works and ODSP cover dentures but generally not implants.
Dental implants vs alternatives
| Option | Cost | Lifespan | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single implant | $3,000–$6,000 | 20-30+ years | Most natural, preserves bone | Expensive, 3-6 month healing |
| Dental bridge | $2,000–$5,000 | 10-15 years | Cheaper, faster | Affects adjacent teeth, bone loss |
| Partial denture | $500–$2,500 | 5-10 years | Cheapest | Less comfortable, bone loss, maintenance |
| Full denture | $1,500–$4,000 | 5-10 years | Replaces all teeth affordably | Slippage, bone loss, diet restrictions |
| All-on-4 implants | $20,000–$35,000 | 15-25+ years | Full arch replacement, bone-preserving | Very expensive, surgical |
How to pay for dental implants
| Option | Details |
|---|---|
| Dentist payment plan | Many offer 0% interest plans over 12-24 months |
| Dental financing | Companies like Dentalcard or PayBright offer financing |
| HSA / HCSA | Use employer health spending account |
| Coordinate benefits | If both partners have coverage, use both plans |
| Medical expense tax credit | Claim full cost on your tax return |
| Dental schools | University clinics charge 30-50% less (supervised treatment) |
Tax credit
Dental implants are an eligible medical expense on your Canadian tax return. At 15% federal credit plus provincial credits, claiming a $5,000 implant could save $750-1,500 in taxes.
Tips to reduce costs
- Get multiple quotes — prices vary by $1,000-2,000+ between dentists for the same procedure
- Consider dental schools — University of Toronto, UBC, Dalhousie, and other dental schools offer supervised implant placement at 30-50% less
- Ask about All-on-4 — if you need multiple implants, All-on-4 is far cheaper per tooth than individual implants
- Time your treatment — if you have annual insurance maximums, spread the implant post and crown across two calendar years to maximize coverage
- Check if your plan covers the crown — even if implants are excluded, the crown may be covered as major restorative
- Explore same-day implants — some clinics offer single-visit implants that reduce the number of appointments and may lower costs