6 Factors Affecting the All-on-4 Dental Implants Cost and Tips on How to Save

Thinking of getting all-on-4 dental implants? In this article, we discuss the common factors that could add to your all-on-4 dental implant cost and provide tips on how to save.

3D model of a full mouth All-on-4 dental implant

Having lost all your teeth and wearing dentures, you probably heard about dental implants. But the main concern is cost. All-on-4 dental implants cost depend on several factors, and we will discuss these in this article.

The average cost of full-mouth All-on-4 dental implants is $36,000 to $76,,000 in California. The average cost for upper or lower arch All-on-4 dental implants is $18,000 to $38,000.

The cost depends on the following factors:

  • Professional Fee or Doctor’s Fee
  • Diagnostics
  • Teeth Extraction
  • Current Bone Condition
  • Brand of the Dental Implant
  • Material

The table below can show you how much could the total cost of getting all-on-4 dental implants including the prosthesis and all other factors that could be a “hidden charge” from advertised prices.

Initial Consultation$250
Xray $95
CT Scan$380
Temporary Denture (per arch)$700
All-on-4 Dental Implants Only (per arch)$12,000 - $17000
All-on-4 Dental Implant Prosthesis (per arch)$10,000-$15,000
Total Average Cost of All-on-4 Dental Implants (Per Arch)$18,000 to $38,000

What are All-on-4 Dental Implants?

Dental implants are one of the replacement options when you have a missing tooth. But does it mean that you have to replace each of your missing teeth with one dental implant?

We have 32 natural teeth, does it mean you have to have 32 dental implants too? Having one dental implant for each missing tooth would be impractical and not recommended. Single-tooth implants are good for procedures such as 1 to 2 teeth missing. This allows you to have individual crowns which are not connected. This mimics the natural teeth which you can floss in between freely.

But what if you want to replace your entire upper or lower arch with a new set of teeth? What if you are already wearing dentures? What if you are on a limited budget, can you still enjoy the benefit of dental implants?

Enter All-on-4 dental implants. You can have at least 4 dental implants to hold a full arch prosthesis.

We place a fixed prosthesis over four implants on each jaw. This allows you to have a brand new full set of teeth that are permanent (non-removable).

Related Article: A Complete Guide to Tooth Loss and Why You Should Replace Your Missing Tooth

6 Factors Affecting the Cost of All-on-4 Dental Implants

Now, how much would it cost to have an all-on-4 dental implant? No two cases would be the same because several factors could affect the total cost of all-on-4 dental implants. Read on below to know more about some of these factors.

Cost Factor 1: Professional Fee or Doctor’s Fee

The first step when you want to have an all-on-4 dental implant is to search for a reputable dentist who can cater to your needs.

Consultation fees might depend on your chosen dentist’s level of expertise and training. But this doesn’t always mean that the more expensive the consultation is, the better the results are.

Some older dentists might charge more because of their experience but this shouldn’t mean that younger dentists are not capable enough. Choose a dentist who is updated with the latest technology, training, and practices in dental implants.

You should spend time looking for dentists with favorable results because not all dentists who place dental implants can do the prosthesis part correctly.

smiling female dentist holding teeth and dental implant model with a patient in clinic

When looking for a dentist to do an all-on-4 dental implant, it is important to find one who is reputable and up-to-date with the latest dental techniques.

The average dental implant consultation fees in the San Diego Area are around $250. Some dentists already include the consultation fee on the cost of the procedures while some can charge a fee for every appointment.

Dental implant consultations may cost more than regular consultations because dental implants require extra training before a dentist can practice placing dental implants.

Consultations will be the first time that you would meet your dentist. Previous dental history and medical history will be discussed during this appointment. You should be able to discuss your expected results confidently with your dentist.

All-on-4 Dental Implant Cost Tip: Get a free consultation with Blyss Dental to know your cost. We also offer some of the best dental financing options here in San Diego. Why? Because we work with almost all the best dental financing companies. And we get you the best deal. Yes, full-mouth All-on-4 can cost as much as a brand-new car. But we can help you afford the treatment through financing that feels like paying a monthly car payment.

Cost Factor 2: Diagnostics

The placement of dental implants should be carefully planned and positioned strategically. This is to make sure that the prosthesis will be stable and withstand the biting forces.

On your first dental consultation, your dentist should get all the necessary diagnostics aids to study your case. Apart from the consultation fee, diagnostic aids could incur additional charges especially if they have to be repeated or updated from time to time.

These will help your dentist decide if all-on-4 dental implants will be suited for you. Some of these diagnostic aids are

A. Intra and Extra Oral Photos

These are photos of your teeth from different angles, inside and outside the mouth. Your dentist might use mirrors and retractors to make sure all structures are visible. This will show your facial profile, arch, and bone support.

x-ray scan of jawbone shows not enough density to support implants

Intra and extra oral photos are used to show a patient’s teeth from different angles and are used to help dentists decide if you have enough bone that can support implants.

This can help your dentist decide if there is a need to increase in bulk or length of the prosthesis. For example, a prosthesis that is flat on the upper front area can make you look older since this will make the skin on the upper lip area fold and give out wrinkles. Having a prosthesis that is too bulky can make you have a “horse” like appearance, wherein the front teeth are protruded.

These photos will help your dentist decide on the placement of dental implants and which type of prosthesis can be ideal for you.

To achieve high-quality photos, dentists may use a professional camera or a DSLR with various accessories for dental photography. These are invested in by your dentist to ensure correct treatment planning.

B. Teeth Molds

This is to replicate your actual teeth. This will allow your dentist to check your current occlusion or bite outside the mouth.

set of teeth molds on a bright white table

Teeth molds are used to create casts of your teeth which will help your dentist see your bite and propose a prosthetic.

Your dentist will use alginate or a gel-like material to make an impression on your teeth. This will then be poured on to make casts of your teeth.

Your dentist will need time to study your case, you wouldn’t want to spend all day opening and closing your mouth so your dentist can see your mouth, right? These casts will be the replica of your mouth.

Your dentist can even duplicate these casts to place a mock-up so you’ll be able to see the proposed prosthesis. You’ll be able to tell immediately what you want the prosthesis to look like.

At Blyss Dental, we used the latest 3-D digital scanner to get molds of your teeth. We capture and replicate your existing teeth and gum structure digitally to greatly improve the planning and placement of dental implants. It’s also a lot more comfortable than traditional teeth impressions.

C. X Rays

These are black and white, 2-dimensional images of the structures inside our mouths. White images in the X-Ray are solid structures like the bone, teeth, fillings, and implants while the black or grayish images are soft structures like the shadow of the gums, cavities in the teeth, and pathologies on the teeth or bone.

This will allow your dentist to initially assess if you still have a good bone level in your jaw to support the dental implant. These are taken usually before the procedure, after the procedure, and for follow-up check-ups and monitoring.

female dentist holding an x-ray image of teeth and showing it to her elderly patient

Dentists use x-rays to ​​show the structure of your teeth and bone. Your x-ray scan can help determine whether you are qualified for an All-on-4 procedure.

D. CBCT or Dental CT Scan

This is a 3-dimensional image of your whole mouth. Unlike X-rays, CT scans can show you a different angle which is almost like the exact replica of what is inside the mouth. This can show your dentist the height, length, and width of the structures inside the mouth.

adult woman getting dental CT scan

CT scans are used to get a detailed image of the inside of someone’s mouth which is crucial in planning for dental implants.

Knowing how much bone is left is very crucial in planning for dental implants since this will be the basis for choosing the right size of the dental implant. This can also determine which area on the jaw is dense enough to support a dental implant.

Some dentists also use the CT Scan for designing the position of the dental implants digitally. This can minimize errors like wrong placement or wrong angulation of the dental implants.

All-on-4 Dental Implant Cost Tip: Dentists that don’t require a CT Scan may not be following the latest techniques that make implant placement predictable and accurate. A CT scan is a requirement in modern dentistry for the placement of dental implants.

Combined, these diagnostic aids basically duplicate your whole mouth, from the outside up to the inside. This will prevent having to open your mouth repeatedly for long hours in the dental office while your dentist plans out your case.

Cost Factor 3: Teeth Extraction

To prepare for All-on-4 dental implants, your dentist may need to perform pre-surgery procedures such as teeth extraction and bone grafting, depending on your case.

Your dentist may need to extract damaged or infected teeth. This adds to the cost and timeframe. The cost of this procedure may vary, depending on the amount of bone grafting material that is needed.

Some people are already wearing dentures, so they get to go through the implant placement stage right away.

Additionally, if the sockets are not fully healed, your dentist may need to use bone grafting material to fill them and build up the bone. The next section will explain thoroughly what this procedure is and why it is necessary.

Cost Factor 4: Current Bone Condition

Bone grafting or socket augmentation could add around $500-$4,200 depending on the severity of the case while the temporaries could add around $1,500 more.

Once all the diagnostics are taken, your dentist can now assess the remaining bone with the Dental CT Scan. Dental implants need to be supported by a certain bone height and thickness. This is to make sure that there is enough foundation to withstand the biting forces.

Now, can you still have dental implants if there is not enough bone structure left? Of course! This is where bone grafting or ridge augmentation comes in.

Sometimes also called GBR or guided bone regeneration, bone grafting or ridge augmentation is a procedure where your dentist will place artificial bone granules or bone blocks on top of your current bone to achieve the desired height or thickness. Your dentist might also mix it with Platelet Rich Fibrin or PRF from your own blood to promote faster regeneration.

This is another surgical procedure that usually takes about a minimum of 3 months of healing time before the dental implants are placed. This is the minimum waiting time to ensure that the bone has already “matured” correctly.

During this waiting period, your dentist might have you wear a temporary denture or prosthesis. This is to prevent unwanted trauma on the surgical site. This can also be used as an adjustment period to help you get used to the final prosthesis because temporaries are sometimes patterned on the final prosthesis.

Related Article: Dental Implant Healing Stages: What To Expect After Getting A Dental Implant

Cost Factor 5: Brand of the Dental Implant

There are different brands of dental implants available on the market. Some of the top brands are

  • Straumann
  • Nobel Biocare
  • BioHorizons
  • Neodent by Straumann
  • MIS Implants
  • Bicon
https://youtu.be/AaS8cn4XH5M

 

Now, cheap dental implants are enticing. Our goal with dental implants is to make sure that they last for a long time. Aside from the price, one thing you should also consider in choosing a brand that is widely used and easily available in case of emergencies.

Different brands have different systems, which means their parts might also be different and can not be used with other brands. This will be a concern if you will have a dental emergency in another place, far from your dentist, and the parts might not be available.

Try to choose a brand that is more commonly used and widely used especially if you frequently travel. It could also help if you’ll know the details of your dental implant, so dentists can know right away if they need to request the parts of your dental implant.

Here at Blyss Dental, we use Straumann dental implants because we want to make sure that our patients will have an implant that will last. Straumann dental implants are also widely available worldwide so, in case of emergencies, parts will be easily available.

adult woman smiling with Straumann logo and dental implants

Blyss Dental uses Straumann dental implants because they are reliable and widely available.

Related Article: Not All Dental Implants Are The Same: Know Why The Best Dentists Use Top Implant Brands

Cost Factor 6: Material

Another factor that affects the cost is the material of choice for the permanent denture or prosthesis itself. Now there are different pros and cons for each material but the cheapest and possibly fastest to fabricate is acrylic.

All-on-4 prosthesis

Some materials for prostheses may be more expensive than others, but may also be more durable or comfortable. It is important to discuss your options with your dentist to find the best material that fits your budget

To give you an idea, below are the most common materials used for all-on-four dental implants prosthesis

Primary StructureDescriptionProsCons
Acrylic- used to create the teeth base and the gums

- acrylic base, acrylic gums, and composite teeth
- least expensive, light material with flexibility which is ideal to prevent bone loss- requires thorough cleaning or replacement after a few years of use
Metal-Alloy- used as a metal frame to strengthen the prosthesis

- high quality metal allow base, acrylic gums, porcelain teeth
- strong frame

- can be made with thin gums so you can taste the food better
- more expensive than acrylic
Titanium- used as a metal frame to strengthen the prosthesis

-titanium base, acrylic gums, porcelain teeth
- strong frame

- can be made with thin gums so you can taste the food better

-more biocompatible material
- more expensive than metal alloy
Zirconia- The entire prosthesis including the frame, gums, and teeth are made of Zirconia- strongest material

- most biocompatible material

- most durable material; does not require cleaning or replacement as with acrylic
- is heavier and can cause more bone loss

- more expensive to repair when something chips or breaks

- most expensive material
Pekkton base, acrylic gums, porcelain teeth- Pekkton base, acrylic gums, porcelain teeth- newest material that incorporates the best of all

- very light material

- similar in strength to zirconia

- have flexibility like acrylic which causes less bone loss
- more expensive than the rest except zirconia

Choosing the right material for you could involve a number of factors, like budget, comfort, and aesthetics. Make sure that your dentist will give out all the pros and cons, and possibly show you samples before you choose the material that is right for you.

How to minimize the cost of all-on-4 dental implants?

Now how do you make sure that you get the most out of your dental implant? Dental Implants alone already cost a lot and the said factors above can also add to the cost of the treatment.

man holding an artificial tooth in right hand and coins in the left hand

Though it can be expensive to get dental implants, there are ways to minimize the cost.

Here are some tips to save and cut some costs when getting an all-on-4 dental implant.

Tip 1: Shop around

“Shop” for dental implant specialists around your area. Since different dentists have different training, they have different expertise and possibly different treatment plans for your case. Some dentists might require you to do unnecessary procedures just for the sake of income. Having a second opinion is always better especially if you’re going to spend on something expensive that can compromise your health.

Here are more tips to save on your All-on-4 Dental Implant Cost: Dental Implant Cost Insider Tips: How to Save Up to $20,000 On Your Dental Implant Procedure

Tip 2: Ask for a detailed treatment plan

Have your dentist make you a detailed treatment plan and quotation. This should include

  • Diagnostics like the X-rays and CT Scans
  • Implant fixture and abutment
  • Surgery fees, sedation fees, and anesthesiologist fees
  • Temporary dentures
  • Procedures like bone grafting and bridge augmentation
  • Maintenance after the dental implant procedure
  • Cost of the final prosthesis.

All-on-4 Dental Implant Cost Tip: Ensure that you get the cost from start to finish when getting estimates for All-on-4 dental implants. Some dentists only include the price up to the dental implant post-installation stage. The rest of the cost, including the cost of the final prosthesis, may come as a surprise to you.

For example, Rick was diagnosed that he needed full mouth implant restoration. But his regular dentist does not do dental implants. He was recommended by his dentist to an oral surgeon. Rick went to a consultation with this oral surgeon and was given a cost of $35,000.

He was ready to start the treatment but he encountered our website and reached out to us for a second opinion. He was shocked when he realized that the $35,000 estimate for “Full Mouth Implants” was only the first stage – the implant installation. It didn’t include the second stage – the teeth. He would have had to spend another $22,000 with his regular dentist to complete the treatment.

We gave him an estimate of $43,300 for full-mouth All-on-4 dental implants with includes all the costs from start to finish. We always give the total cost to help the patients make a well-informed decision and arrange for proper financing with one good lender. He was happy with the recommendations and has started his treatments.

Related Article: Dental Implant Healing Stages: What To Expect After Getting A Dental Implant

Tip 3: Follow the Treatment Plan

Once you have all your diagnostics taken, make sure that you’ll be able to follow through with the treatment plan. Diagnostics should always be up-to-date and always the latest.

There are many things that could happen inside our mouth in a span of a week or more so it’s always better to use updated diagnostics before any procedure. Make sure that you follow the timeline given by your dentist to avoid repeating and spending again for the diagnostics.

Tip 4: Don’t Miss Your Appointments

Come back on the scheduled follow-up. As we’ve mentioned, there are changes in our mouths that could happen in a week. Delaying your treatment could compromise the final outlook. Bone might grow over the dental implant, or you might lose again the bone which is grafted.

Any infections should also be monitored after the procedure. Following the timeline and treatment plan could ensure that no additional procedures will be needed to finish the whole treatment.

Tip 5: Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Routine checkups are a must with or without dental implants. If you have dental implants, your dentist must see you at least every 3 months. This is to ensure that the implants and prosthesis are stable.

Any loose implant or infected implant could cause a further bone recession. This could compromise the longevity of the dental implant or prosthesis. Having a bridge could also cause some food entraption underneath so it’s best that your dentist see you on a regular basis.

Tip 6: Be Cautious About Anything You Put in Your Mouth

Having an all-on-4 dental implant prosthesis doesn’t mean your teeth are indestructible and you can bite on anything. You have to be more cautious when biting. Putting too much pressure on the prosthesis could also cause implant failure.

Always put in your mind that any replacement will not be as strong as our natural teeth, which are already the hardest structure in our body, and can break with careless biting.

For more tips on how to save on the cost of All-on-4 Dental implants, check out Dental Implant Cost Insider Tips 2022: How to Save Up to $20,000 On Your Dental Implant Procedure

Does dental insurance cover All-on-4 Dental Implants costs?

Unfortunately, your dental insurance won’t cover All-on-4 dental implants. Dental insurance does not cover any full arch dental implant treatments.

You may have heard of your dental insurance having dental implant coverage. Yes, more and more dental insurance cover single-tooth dental implant treatment. This is to replace one or more bad teeth with dental implants, but not full-arch dental implants. Your insurance company is only willing to cover traditional dentures as full mouth teeth replacement.

However, your dental insurance may cover some of your preparatory procedures such as extractions and possibly bone grafting. This may save you on the cost of the treatment.

Most people pay for All-on-4 dental implants through dental financing.

Conclusion

To sum up, a straightforward case of an all-on-4 dental implant could cost you depending on the material of choice, and your remaining bone structure.

To find out how much an all-on-4 dental implant would cost you, book your free consultation now at Blyss Dental. We will be happy to discuss your case and give the best treatment for you.