Cheap dental implants: Step-by-step guide (Updated for 2022)

Dental implants are considered the best treatment for restoring teeth. Simultaneously, they are one of the most expensive procedures conducted in dental offices. Many people simply cannot afford them. Is getting cheap dental implants even possible?

We have done a lot of research to prepare a list of proven methods for making implants more affordable. Read the guide below and check which one will be most beneficial for you.

Dental implants near you

It is possible to reach a great specialist who can give you low cost dental implants close-by. But doing the work yourself, comparing dozens of prices and locations, can be confusing and tiring. And most of all, time-consuming.

A better, easier, and quicker way is to leave the research to someone with experience and resources. That’s where we come in. We will help you find a best dental implant dentist near you. Our database is made of verified dentists that provide exceptional dental care at affordable prices. Please call us 1-888-488-0618 to find out if you are a candidate for implants.

We’ll book an appointment with a implant dentist near you who accepts your insurance and preferred payment method. Some offices offer financing plans for teeth implants and other dental cosmetic procedures.

Optimize your dental insurance

If you are insured adult, look into ways to up your plan. You may end up saving more on dental implants while having bigger monthly or yearly charges for a while. 

In the case that you don’t have dental insurance, look for a policy that will cover as much of the costs as possible. It may be hard to find a plan that mentions implants in any way, but a lot of the fees go towards associated procedures like extractions and bone grafts.

Bear in mind though, that there are almost always waiting periods. You may have to start dental implant treatment after a few months, when your policy becomes active.

It’s worth considering federal insurance plans as well. Medicare can help fund treatment to those over 65 or patients with diseases or disabilities. Make sure to read the fine print though, as not all programs include dental procedures. 

Medicaid assists in payment for medical expenses, including dental care. Younger people tend to get more coverage with smaller copays, but it’s always a good idea to look into. Nonetheless, federal and state programs rarely pay for implants but rather reimburse patients for dentures.

Sign up for a dental plan

Especially if you are looking to have big dental work done, such as implantation or bone grafting, a dental discount plan works amazing. Reductions reach 60% on everything, including various brands of implants. Whether the procedure is cosmetic or medically necessary, it doesn’t matter. 

Dental savings plans are a great alternative or addition to insurance. You can use it directly at the dentist’s when the annual limit on your insurance is reached. You don’t need to collect paperwork either.

There are no waiting periods, so you can sign up literally the day of your dental implant surgery. Just make sure your implant dentist is in-network.

Try dental tourism

A lot of adult patients report luck finding cheap teeth implants in Mexico and other South American countries. This often makes financial sense even when you consider travel and accommodation costs. Most of the dental implant centers abroad offer high quality care and affordable prices. You might also get a nice holiday out of it.

On the other hand, the dental implants procedure is a multi-step one, which means you will have to do some traveling back and forth. If anything goes wrong, a dentist in the US might also refuse to fix it. The same goes for insurance policies. This may result in additional costs.

Some offices offer so-called one-day implants. More often than not, though, you will need at least a separate initial consultation and post-op appointment. Patients who live near the border may save on implants most.

Check dental schools and dedicated clinics

Many dental schools offer reduced procedures. It’s a win-win because they need the experience and patients want lower dental care costs. This may be a great opportunity to get low-cost dental implants and improve your oral health.

While you may not be able to get implants or dental bridges themselves that way, there are a lot of steps before the surgery. There is little risk, as qualified specialists observe and instruct along the way. The downsides include a longer treatment time and a possible waiting list. What’s more, not all schools do dental implants. 

Another similar solution is going with dedicated clinics. They likewise offer reduced associated procedures to patients without natural teeth who want to get dental implants. Dedicated clinics are local community centers who, most often, choose social groups they are willing to help out. This may be the elderly, veterans, or those with a low income.

Volunteer for clinical trials and specialist courses

Dentists practice new techniques and medicines during clinical trials. Candidates and low income patients that are willing to undergo such testing sometimes get free or reduced dental work in return, even implants. There are no additional costs included.

Another opportunity for affordable implants is finding a cheap dentist who wants to become an implant specialist. He or she must take part in a dental implant procedure course. 

This method is similar to getting your restorative treatment done at a dental school. The difference is that you can get the actual surgery and a professional dentist will be performing it. Moreover, it will be overseen by someone who is already proficient in the art of implant placement.

Take advantage of tax deductions

Your FSA and HSA can be used to lower the price of implants. The money on those accounts is tax-deductible and before taxes, so you are saving twice. You can write out a check or use a debit card if you have one.

Since these accounts don’t guarantee rollover, you may have to plan out your dental implant treatments strategically. It is sometimes only possible to use these funds for a year. Check with your HR department to learn the details.

HSA plans may have high deductible savings plans. To make sure you are cutting costs of your dental implants, work out your budget before you make any decisions.

Look for discounted prices

You can find coupons and discounts on online platforms. Many dental offices take advantage of this to promote themselves. The internet is a great place to look for affordable dental treatments, but sometimes simply calling up offices in your area and asking is effective. Paying up front or recommending another patient can also save you a couple hundred dollars. Don’t be afraid to ask your dentist for a dental implant payment plan or monthly installments.

Non profit organizations and government grants

If you come across things like dental implant grants for private individuals, you have to be careful. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. More often than not, you receive an inflated estimate, and the “reduction” actually doesn’t lower the price of treatment. They simply hook you into going to a specialist they are promoting.

Legitimate dental implant programs funded by the government agencies are meant for clinics, universities, and non-profit organizations. You won’t be able to find them directly. The best way to take advantage of this method is to search for recipients of state funding.

Consider full-mouth All-On-4 restoration

A proven way to save on the total price of a new smile is to get a full mouth restoration with All-On-4 implants. This is a cheaper alternative than getting multiple single implants. Hybrid dentures, partial dentures,  removable dentures, and bridges can be supported on as little as 2 or 4 implants per arch.

This can be a great opportunity not only for toothless patients, but also for those who have several damaged teeth left. Extracting them and replacing with implant-supported dentures is often more cost-efficient than treatment or singular tooth restoration options. Just make sure to discuss all your options with your chosen dentist.

Summary

Dental implants are within your reach. It may be hard to find a dental implant under $500 but getting one at the cost of denture is quite doable. 

Above you have a comprehensive list of possibilities that may help reduce the costs. Try them out and get the smile you dream of.