A dental implant is a titanium post placed in the jaw to replace the root of a missing tooth, topped with a crown. It is the most durable way to replace a tooth, and the most expensive. Knowing what sits inside the quote is the difference between a fair price and a nasty surprise.
The headline cost
A single dental implant in the UK typically costs around £2,500, with a national range of roughly £1,800 to £3,500 for a straightforward case. London and specialist clinics sit at the top of that range. See our implant cost page for how that compares with other treatments.
Implants are almost never available on the NHS. The NHS only provides them in rare cases with a strong clinical need, such as after mouth cancer or serious injury, so for most people the private price is the price.
What the quote should include
A complete single implant price should cover:
- The consultation, scans and planning (a 3D CT scan is normal)
- The implant post and the surgery to place it
- The abutment (the connector) and the crown that sits on top
- Follow up appointments
Where quotes diverge is the extras. Ask specifically whether you also need:
- A tooth extraction first
- A bone graft or sinus lift if there is not enough bone to anchor the implant, which can add £300 to £1,200 or more
- A temporary tooth while the implant heals
A low headline price often excludes these, so two quotes that look £1,000 apart can end up level once the full plan is written down.
Why prices vary so much
- Who does it. A specialist implantologist charges more than a general dentist.
- The components. Premium implant systems with long track records cost more than budget ones, and matter because you may need spare parts in fifteen years.
- Complexity. Grafting, multiple implants and awkward positions all add cost.
The alternatives
If the cost is out of reach, a missing tooth can also be replaced by:
- A bridge, typically around £720 privately, or a Band 3 £332.10 on the NHS
- A denture, from around £290 privately, or Band 3 on the NHS
These are cheaper and quicker, though they do not last as long or feel as natural as an implant.
The single most useful step is to get two or three written treatment plans with the total cost and every extra listed. Prices for the same implant vary two to three fold between practices, so it is worth the phone calls.
This is general information, not clinical advice. A dentist should assess whether an implant is right for you.