If you’ve been living with a missing tooth, you’ve probably typed some version of this question into Google at 11 p.m.: “How much is a dental implant going to cost me?”
And you’ve probably gotten a frustrating answer. Ranges so wide they’re useless. Prices from other states. Ads for deals that sound too good to be true (they usually are).
So let’s make this simple. Here’s what a dental implant costs at our office, what actually drives that number up or down, and how people in Greenville and Winterville fit implants into a real budget.
The Short Answer
At Beacon Dental, a single-tooth dental implant starts at approximately $4,000.
That starting price is for one tooth. It’s a real number, not a teaser. But it’s also a starting point, because no two mouths are the same. Your final cost depends on a few things we can’t know until we look at your X-rays and 3D scan.
The good news? Your first step, the implant consultation, is free. You’ll walk out knowing your actual number, not a guess.
What You’re Actually Paying For
A dental implant (a permanent replacement for a missing tooth) isn’t one thing. It’s three parts working together, and each one does a job.
- The implant post. This small titanium post goes into your jawbone and acts like a new tooth root.
- The abutment. This is the connector piece that joins the post to your new tooth.
- The crown. This is the part everyone sees. It’s custom-made to match the shape and shade of your natural teeth.
Between placing the post and adding the crown, there’s a healing period of about three to six months. During that time, the post fuses with your jawbone. Dentists call this osseointegration, which is just a fancy word for the bone growing snugly around the titanium so it holds tight, like a real root.
That fusion is the whole secret. It’s why implants feel solid when you bite into an apple, and why they don’t slip, click, or need adhesive.
So when you see the price of an implant, you’re paying for the surgery, the parts, the custom crown, the planning, and the follow-up visits that make sure everything heals the way it should.
What Can Change Your Price
This is where most of the variation comes from. Here are the big factors.
How many teeth you’re replacing
One missing tooth is the simplest case. If you’re missing several teeth in a row, we may recommend an implant-supported bridge instead of an implant for every single tooth. A bridge (a row of replacement teeth joined together) can sit on two implants and fill a larger gap. That often costs less than replacing each tooth one by one, and it doesn’t require us to file down any of your healthy neighboring teeth.
Whether you need a bone graft
This one surprises a lot of people. When a tooth has been gone for a while, the jawbone underneath starts to shrink. It’s not your fault. Bone needs the pressure of chewing to stay strong, and an empty space doesn’t give it any.
If there isn’t enough bone to hold an implant securely, we may recommend a bone graft first. A graft rebuilds the bone so the implant has a solid foundation. It adds cost and some healing time, but it’s what makes a long-lasting result possible.
Here’s a practical takeaway: the longer you wait after losing a tooth, the more likely you are to need a graft. If you’re still deciding, it’s worth getting a consultation sooner rather than later, even if you’re not ready to start.
Whether the tooth still needs to come out
If you have a damaged tooth that needs to be removed first, the extraction becomes part of your treatment plan. We can often talk through your replacement options right after the extraction, so you’re not left wondering what comes next.
Planning and imaging
We use a cone beam CT scanner, which creates a detailed 3D image of your teeth, roots, and jawbone. It lets us see bone density, nerve positions, and the exact spot where an implant will fit best. Careful planning up front means fewer surprises later, and that protects your investment.
Why an Implant Can Cost Less Than It Looks
Four thousand dollars is a real amount of money. We get it. Nobody wants to spend that casually.
But it helps to compare an implant with what it’s replacing and how long it lasts.
A traditional bridge usually needs support from the teeth on either side of the gap. Those healthy teeth get shaved down and capped with crowns, which can shorten their lifespan. A removable partial denture costs less up front, but it can shift when you eat, and it usually needs adjustments or replacement over the years.
A well-placed implant, on the other hand, can last for decades with good care. The post itself is built to stay in place for the long haul. The crown on top may eventually need replacing after years of daily chewing, just like any crown, but you won’t be starting from scratch.
There’s also a cost that doesn’t show up on an invoice. A missing tooth lets the neighboring teeth drift into the space. Your bite can change. The bone keeps shrinking. Over time, that can lead to more dental problems, and more expense, than the implant would have cost in the first place.
None of this means an implant is right for everyone. It means the sticker price is only part of the story.
Does Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
It depends on your plan, and plans vary a lot.
Some dental insurance plans cover part of the implant process, often the crown on top, while others treat implants as optional and cover little or nothing. Many plans also have an annual maximum, which caps how much they’ll pay in a single year.
If you have insurance, bring your card to your consultation. Ashleigh, our insurance coordinator, can check what your plan covers and help you understand what you’d owe before you commit to anything. No guessing, no surprise bills.
What If You Don’t Have Insurance?
Plenty of our patients don’t, and that’s exactly why we created our in-house membership plan.
Here’s how it works:
- An adult membership is $399 for the first year and $299 for each year after.
- It includes two cleanings with X-rays, two fluoride treatments, one exam, and one emergency exam each year.
- As a new member, you save 15% on dental work completed during your first year, and implants count.
- There are no waiting periods and no annual maximums.
That last point matters. With a lot of insurance plans, you might wait months before major treatment is covered, and then hit a yearly cap. With the membership, you can start when you’re ready.
You can see the full details on our membership plan page.
Monthly Payment Options
If paying all at once isn’t realistic, you have options. We work with three financing partners:
- Cherry, which lets you get treatment now and pay in smaller monthly installments. Some approvals come with 0% APR, and there’s no penalty for paying it off early.
- CareCredit, a healthcare credit card used by a lot of dental and medical offices.
- Sunbit, which gives you a quick decision on a payment plan right at the office.
Many patients combine these. For example, you might use the membership savings to lower the total cost, then spread the remaining balance over monthly payments. Our team will walk you through the numbers so you can pick what fits your budget.
A Word About “Cheap” Implants
You may see ads for implants at prices that seem impossibly low. Sometimes the fine print tells the story: the advertised price covers only the post, not the abutment or crown. Sometimes imaging, bone grafting, or follow-up visits are extra.
When you compare prices, ask what’s included. A lower number that leaves out half the treatment isn’t really lower.
And remember, an implant lives in your jawbone. Experience and careful planning matter. Our team has placed more than 100 dental implants, and we plan each one using 3D imaging so the post goes exactly where it should.
What Happens at Your Free Consultation
If you’re curious but not ready to commit, the consultation is a low-pressure way to get real answers. Here’s what you can expect:
- We’ll talk about your goals and what’s bothering you about the missing tooth or teeth.
- We’ll take the images we need to see your bone and the space we’re working with.
- Dr. Spencer will explain your options, which may include a single implant, an implant-supported bridge, or something else entirely.
- You’ll get a clear treatment plan with pricing, so you know exactly what you’re looking at.
- We’ll go over insurance, membership, and financing if you’d like.
You don’t have to decide anything that day. Take the plan home. Think it over. Ask us questions later. We’d rather you feel confident than rushed.
Common Questions About Implant Cost
Is the $4,000 price per tooth?
Yes. The starting price of approximately $4,000 is for a single-tooth implant. If you’re replacing more than one tooth, your plan may look different, and an implant-supported bridge can sometimes be a more affordable way to fill a larger gap.
Does the price include the crown?
This is a great question to ask any office. At your consultation, we’ll show you exactly what your treatment plan includes so there are no surprises.
Can I get an implant if I’ve been missing a tooth for years?
Often, yes. You may need a bone graft first to rebuild the area, but many people who’ve had a gap for a long time can still get an implant. Our 3D scan will tell us what’s possible.
How long does the whole process take?
It varies. The healing period after the post is placed is usually three to six months. If you need an extraction or bone graft first, the timeline will be longer. We’ll give you a realistic schedule at your consultation.
Ready to Find Out Your Number?
You don’t need to keep guessing. A free consultation gives you your real price, your real options, and a plan that makes sense for your mouth and your budget.
