A dental implant is a titanium screw placed into the jaw, topped with an abutment and crown to replace a missing tooth. It's the closest thing to a real tooth modern dentistry has — and the most expensive routine treatment most people will ever consider.
What dental implants cost in the UK
| Single implant + crown | £2,000–£3,500 private |
| Implant-retained bridge (3 units) | £5,000–£8,000 |
| Full upper or lower arch (All-on-4) | £10,000–£18,000 per arch |
| Bone graft (if needed) | £300–£1,000 extra |
| CBCT scan | £100–£250 (often included in quote) |
Wide range because clinic seniority, location, and brand of implant (Straumann, Nobel Biocare, MIS, Osstem) all vary the cost. London and Edinburgh are at the top of the range; smaller cities at the bottom.
Are dental implants available on the NHS?
Yes, but only in specific clinical circumstances:
- Replacement after head and neck cancer treatment
- Severe congenital absence of teeth (hypodontia)
- Traumatic loss of multiple teeth in young patients
- Significant facial trauma requiring reconstruction
- Cleft palate or other developmental anomaly
"I want to replace one tooth I lost to gum disease" isn't on that list. Routine implants are private only.
If you think you qualify, you need a referral from a hospital dental consultant — not a high-street dentist.
The alternatives to consider first
- Bridge (NHS Band 3 — £319.10) — uses adjacent teeth to anchor a replacement. Requires grinding down healthy teeth, but a fraction of the cost.
- Partial denture (NHS Band 3) — removable, cheapest option, but takes getting used to.
- Doing nothing — valid in some cases, especially back teeth. But adjacent teeth can drift over time.
A good dentist explains all three before booking you in for an implant consultation.
Going abroad for implants
Turkey, Hungary, and Poland offer implant tourism at 40–70% lower prices. The procedure itself is the same; the risks are around aftercare and warranty.
- What happens if an implant fails 5 years later? Travelling back for re-treatment may cost more than the original saving.
- Some UK dentists won't adjust or service a foreign implant if they don't recognise the brand.
- Travel insurance often doesn't cover elective dental complications.
It's a real option for many people, but go in with eyes open. Use reputable clinics with English-speaking aftercare partners in the UK.
What to ask in any UK consultation
- Which implant brand do you use, and why?
- What's the warranty — on the implant, and on the crown?
- What's the failure rate at this practice?
- Will I need a bone graft? If yes, what's the total cost including the graft?
- Who places the implant (specialist surgeon or general dentist)?
Paying in instalments
Most UK private clinics offer 0% finance for 12 months (sometimes longer) via providers like Chrysalis or Tabeo. Check the APR carefully if you go past the 0% window.