A dental implant replaces a missing tooth with a titanium post placed in the jawbone, an abutment that connects to it, and a crown on top. The total depends on how many teeth are replaced, whether the jaw needs to be built up first, who does the surgery, and the city. Because it is both surgery and restorative work, an implant usually costs much more than routine dental care and is only partly covered by most insurance. This page explains each part of the cost. It is part of our directory of what things cost in Canada; everyday dental work (fillings, root canals, crowns on natural teeth) is covered in the cost of dental work.
What a single implant includes
| Component | What it is | What drives its cost |
|---|---|---|
| Implant post | The titanium screw placed in the jawbone | The implant system and the surgeon’s fee |
| Abutment | The connector between the post and the crown | Stock or custom-made |
| Crown | The visible tooth | The material and the lab fee |
The post and the crown are often done by different professionals (an oral surgeon or periodontist places the implant, a general dentist or prosthodontist restores it) and billed separately, months apart while the implant heals.
Several implants and full-arch treatment
Replacing several teeth can mean individual implants for each, or a bridge supported by two or more implants. For a whole upper or lower arch, “All-on-4” style treatment fixes a full set of replacement teeth to four (or more) implants, which uses fewer implants than replacing each tooth individually. Full-arch treatment is the most expensive option per jaw but often costs less per tooth.
Extra procedures that add to the cost
| Procedure | When it’s needed |
|---|---|
| Extraction | A damaged tooth has to come out first |
| Bone graft | The jawbone isn’t thick enough to hold the post |
| Sinus lift | Upper back implants where the bone below the sinus is thin |
| CT scan or 3D imaging | Planning where the implant goes |
| A temporary tooth | While the implant heals |
| Sedation | Anxiety or longer surgery |
Why prices differ
Implant fees are generally highest in large cities, specialists charge more than general dentists who place implants, and the implant system and lab work vary in price. Comparing written treatment plans that list each stage (surgery, abutment, crown, any grafting) is the clearest way to see the difference between offices.
Implants vs bridges and dentures
| Option | How it works | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Implant | A post in the bone with a crown | Doesn’t involve neighbouring teeth and helps preserve the jawbone; surgery and months of healing; the highest cost |
| Bridge | A false tooth anchored to crowns on the neighbouring teeth | Faster and usually cheaper; the neighbouring teeth have to be reshaped |
| Partial denture | A removable plate with replacement teeth | The lowest cost; less stable, needs more upkeep |
| Full denture | A removable set for a whole arch | Lower cost than full-arch implants; can slip and limit diet |
Insurance and government coverage
Many workplace dental plans cover implants partly or not at all: some exclude the implant post but pay toward the crown as major restorative work, and the annual maximum caps what the plan pays. What dental plans typically cover is explained in dental insurance in Canada. The Canadian Dental Care Plan covers dentures and crowns (with preauthorization) for eligible people but its published list of services doesn’t include implants. Provincial social assistance programs that cover dental care usually cover dentures rather than implants.
Paying for implants
| Option | Details |
|---|---|
| A payment plan with the dental office | Many offices spread payments over the treatment period |
| Dental financing | Third-party loans; compare the interest rate with other borrowing |
| A health spending account | Employer accounts can pay for implants; see health spending accounts |
| Two insurance plans | With coverage through both partners, coordinating benefits uses both |
| Timing across plan years | Placing the implant in one year and the crown in the next uses two annual maximums |
| Dental school clinics | Some university dental faculties place implants at reduced fees under supervision |
The cost of implants is an eligible medical expense, so the amount above the threshold can be claimed with the medical expense tax credit.