Why is an implant crown so expensive?

[jamesmarco]

Hi Guys

Something has been annoying me and I just wondered if anyone can shed some light because I am beginning to think implants are just a license to print money.

My local dentist has quoted me £1000 for placing an implant and £1500 for crowning it. The later being £1000 more than a normal crown from the same dentist. Why the additional £1000?

Surely there is less work placing a crown on an implant because all you have to do is screw an abutment into the implant, whereas for a normal crown the dentist has the additional work of grinding the tooth back. The crowns are the same and the only additional cost is the abutment which I believe is about £150 which still leaves a shortfall of £850.

I am on an expensive scheme and under the terms of the scheme I am entitled to crowns for £500, so its obviosuly annoying me that the dentist is classing a crown on an implant as falling outside the scheme? And wants to charge £1500 for it.

Many thanks

[Dr Pav Khaira]

It's not quite as simple as this. The components to fabricate implant retained crowns are very expensive due to the quality of materials used. Additionally, there is often an increase in the amount of time required and skill level required in order to be able to undertake this type of work successfully.

[jamesmarco]

Hello Pav

Many thanks for your reply but it does lead to two further questions.

Firstly, are you saying that when an implant crown fails the cost of replacing it will always be £1500 given that implant retained crowns are allegedly so expensive to produce and fit?

If thats the case, I am sure that will put everyone off having an implant because crowns do fail. As far as I can see and I have done a lot of research on this, there is no difference between a normal crown and an implant crown. Ignoring the most aesthetic crowns which are milled, a normal bonded crown which people would have fitted to their back teeth (irrespective of whether they have an implant or not) is formed by shaping metal over the 'post' impression and then opaque layering, colouring and firing etc.. The only difference is that the 'post' with an implant is the abutment and with a normal crown its the underlying tooth. As evidenced by the fact that some (highly qualified) dentists only charge £250 for the crown to go on an implant abutment, exactly the same cost as they would charge for crowning a normal tooth. So the fact that some dentists only charge £250 for crowing an implant, supports my theory that other dentists are just using implants to print money.

Secondly, as for the increase in time required, are you saying that I should expect to be in the chair for almost 3 hours to have the crown fitted? That allows for £300 per hour to make up the £900 difference in price. Or should I expect to be in the chair for almost 2 hours equal to £500 per hour? Or maybe a whole hour for £900 an hour? I very much think I will be out of the chair in 20 minutes.

James

[Dr Pav Khaira]

James,

Implant retained crowns do not fail as frequently and have a very good longevity. It is evident that you have done some research but your information is not completely accurate.

There is a slight increased time in the chair but how about the tens of thousands of pounds spent by dentists learning how to restore implants after university before they are permitted to restore them? Does skill and experience count for nothing?

I have always said that if you are looking for the cheapest option by all means please feel free to do so. You will be able to find dentists on the continent who will be able to place and restore your crown for less if you wish

May I ask what your profession is and subsequently ask questions about why you charge the fees you do or earn you wage?

Oversimplifying technique and skill is not fair and if fees are a concern you may wish to consider a denture which will give you a tooth replacement for significantly less than the cost of an implant

[prosman]

also the amount of gold used in an implant crown can be enormous compared to a normal crown, gold is at a record price.
technicians charge us... we charge you...
also as the good Dr has pointed out, there is the cost of training and equipment, holding stock etc... I would think that between our two clinics we would have £50K + in equipment and stock. my training to get me on trhe specialist list was over a £100K and that does not include the oportunity cost involved with 3 yrs of full time university study.
i actually think that 2500 is a fair price, although i would have thought the split should be 1500 for implant and 1000 for the crown.