Losing a tooth or multiple teeth can be a daunting experience. It’s natural to feel self-conscious about your appearance and wonder how to replace the missing teeth. The good news is that there are many options available to replace missing teeth, but it’s important to understand that the cost of these options can vary greatly. Visiting a dentist is the first step in determining the best course of action for replacing your missing teeth. They can evaluate your individual needs and provide a range of options, along with the associated costs. In this article, we’ll explore the different options for replacing missing teeth and the factors that affect the cost of these procedures.
What factors can lower a dental implant cost in Colombia?
- Good bone density: Having good bone density in the area where the implant will be placed can reduce the cost of the procedure. This is because a denser bone requires less preparation, which can save time and money.
- Low aesthetic requirements: If the implant will not be visible when the patient smiles, a less expensive implant option may be sufficient. This can save money without compromising on the overall outcome of the treatment.
- Single implant: Replacing a single missing tooth with an implant is typically less expensive than replacing multiple teeth.
- Good overall health: Patients who are in good overall health tend to have fewer complications during the implant procedure. This can reduce the cost of treatment as it may be shorter and involve fewer follow-up visits.
If you have the conditions previously mentioned, such as good bone density, low aesthetic requirements, and good overall health, the cost of a dental implant can be significantly reduced. On average, a dental implant can cost between 4.000.000 COP and 6.000.000 COP (880 USD to 1319 USD at the time this article was written according to the exchange rate, when all the factors are favorable. This cost can be broken down into three main components:
- Dental crown over the implant: The cost of the dental crown can range between 2.000.000 COP and 2.500.000 COP (440 USD to 550 USD at the time this article was written according to the exchange rate. Jan 24/2023)
- Surgery for the implant: The cost of the surgery can range between 2.000.000 COP and 2.500.000 COP (440 USD to 550 USD at the time this article was written according to the exchange rate. Jan 24/2023)
- Acrylic temporary crown: For some cases, while waiting for the final crown, a temporary acrylic crown is placed and this cost can be between 400.000 COP and 600.000 COP (88 USD to 132 USD at the time this article was written according to the exchange rate. Jan 24/2023)
It’s important to keep in mind that when it comes to dental implants, the cost can vary greatly depending on the materials and equipment used. While it may be tempting to go with the lowest cost option, it’s important to understand that the cheapest option may not always be the best.
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to dental implant costs is the quality of the materials and equipment used. Titanium is the most commonly used and cost-effective material for dental implants, but it must be of world-class quality and most of them are imported from other countries to Colombia.
If a dental practice is offering a significantly lower cost for a dental implant, it may be a red flag that they are using lower quality materials or equipment. This can lead to a higher risk of complications and a shorter lifespan for the implant. 
It’s always best to do your research and consult with a reputable dentist to ensure you are getting the best quality materials and equipment. While it may cost more in the short term, investing in high-quality materials and equipment can save you money in the long run by reducing the risk of complications and the need for additional treatments.
When choosing a dental clinic, it’s important to consider not only the cost but also the reputation of the clinic, the experience and qualifications of the dentist, and the quality of the materials and equipment used. A good dentist will provide you with a detailed explanation of the treatment plan, including the cost and the expected outcome, and will be transparent about the materials and equipment used.
What factors can increase a dental implant cost in Colombia?
It’s important to note that the cost of a dental implant can be increased if certain factors are present in the patient. These factors include:
- Limited bone density: If there is limited bone density in the area where the implant will be placed, additional procedures such as bone grafting may be required. This can increase the cost of the procedure.
- Multiple Implants: If multiple implants are needed, this will increase the cost of the procedure.
- Infection: If there is an infection in the area where the implant will be placed, it will need to be treated before the implant procedure can be done. This can increase the cost of the procedure.
- High aesthetic requirements: If the implant will be visible when the patient smiles and a high level of aesthetics is required, this can increase the cost of the implant.
- Base disease or smoking: Patients with a base disease or who smoke may experience more complications during the implant procedure, which can increase the cost of treatment.
- Sedation: If the patient requires sedation during the implant procedure, this can increase the cost of the procedure.
Now I am going to explain each item one by one as the cost of the dental implant increases and why:
- Limited bone density:
When there is limited bone density, it means that there is not enough bone to support the implant. This can happen when a tooth has been missing for a long time and the body has reabsorbed the bone over time. Just as a building requires good foundations to support its weight and withstand natural forces, a dental implant requires good bone density to support its function and withstand the force of chewing and biting.
When there is limited bone density, additional procedures such as bone grafting may be required to build up the bone and create a solid foundation for the implant. Bone grafting involves taking bone from another area of the body or using a synthetic bone substitute and placing it in the area where the implant will be placed. This can increase the cost of the implant procedure as it requires an additional surgery and a longer healing time. The cost can vary from 400.000 COP (88USD) to 3.000.000 COP (670USD).
- Require multiple implants, or full implants above, or both top and bottom
When multiple dental implants are required, the cost of the procedure can be significantly increased. This is because multiple implants require a more complex and comprehensive treatment plan, which typically involves working with several specialists such as a joint oral rehabilitator, periodontist, and/or maxillofacial surgeon.
The process of multiple dental implants requires a higher number of appointments and specialized treatments. This can lead to an increased number of appointments and treatments, as well as a longer healing time. In some cases, the healing time can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months, which can add additional costs to the overall treatment.
A complex and complete rehabilitation with dental implants in Colombia of all the upper and/or lower teeth can have a value from 16,000,000 (3.500 USD) COP to 80,000,000 COP (17.500 USD), depending on the requirements of each patient. The cost will depend on the number of implants required, the type of implant used, the materials and equipment used, the location of the dental practice, and other factors.
This value includes the costs of professionals, the multiple treatments, the temporary teeth that are required before the final restoration and the cost of the final restoration.
- Having an infection in the area where the implant or implants will be placed
When there is an infection in the area where a dental implant will be placed, it will need to be treated before the implant procedure can be done. This can increase the cost of the procedure as additional tests and treatments may be required.
To determine the source of the infection and how to control it, additional tests such as X-rays, CT scans, or blood tests may be required. These tests can help to identify the cause of the infection and determine the best course of treatment.
If the infection is caused by bacteria, antibiotics may be prescribed to clear the infection. This is generally an easy and inexpensive way to remove the infection and can be done before the implant procedure. However, if the infection is caused by a tooth inside the mouth, additional dental treatments such as root canals may be required. Root canals are a treatment used to remove the infected pulp of the tooth, which can be a more complex and expensive procedure.
The value of these additional root canals ranges from 300,000 COP (66 USD) to 1.000.000 COP (220 USD)
- Need a high aesthetic of the implants because it is in the smile zone.
When the aesthetic needs of a patient who wants to get a dental implant are high, the cost can increase considerably. Aesthetics are an important consideration when placing an implant, especially in the front area of the mouth where the implant will be visible when smiling or when the gum is visible. In these cases, the implant must be placed in a way that blends seamlessly with the surrounding teeth and looks as natural as possible.
The aesthetic needs of the patient are evaluated during the consultation with the dentist. The professional will work with the patient to understand their aesthetic goals and make suggestions to achieve the desired outcome. For example, when the patient requires implants in the front area, a completely ceramic crowns may be recommended. These crowns are free of metal in the internal area, which makes them more natural looking, but also more expensive. The value of these crowns ranges from 2,000,000 COP (440 USD) to 3,000,000 COP (660 USD)
- Having some underlying disease or being a smoker
When having an underlying disease or being a smoker can increase the cost of a dental implant. This is because patients with certain medical conditions or who smoke may experience more complications during the implant procedure. These complications can include delayed healing, increased risk of infection, and a higher likelihood of implant failure.
Patients with certain medical conditions such as diabetes or similar, consultation and authorization from the treating physician is always required to carry out any dental treatment. These consultations often increase the value of dental implant treatment.
For patients who are or have been smokers, it’s important to keep in mind that dental implants are an important investment, not only financially but also for the overall health of your teeth and mouth. Our first recommendation is to change your habits, since dental implants are an important investment, not only financial, but it is definitely an investment that will change the way you speak, eat, and it will give you the confidence to smile again as before, this definitely changes people’s lives.
In case it is difficult to leave the habits behind or if the habits have been left very recently, we recommend additional sessions such as a hyperbaric chamber in order to increase the oxygenation of the organism and for the implant to present better healing. These hyperbaric chamber sessions can have a cost of 1,000,000 COP (220 USD) and up depending on the number of sessions required, they are not carried out in dental centers but in medical centers.
- Require sedation for the time of surgery
Dental implants are a local treatment that is performed in a dental office with all the measures of asepsis. For these implants, local anesthesia is usually used depending on the area to be intervened, which is a very safe and very effective anesthesia.
However, some patients may have a high level of anxiety when it comes to dental treatments, and the mere thought of having any dental procedure can cause them to feel very afraid, regardless of the actual pain they may feel. For these types of patients, the procedure can be performed with sedation.
Sedation can be through nitrous oxide gas which is placed in the nose, calming the patient throughout the procedure and making them not remember anything traumatic at the end, or if deeper sedation is required, intravenous sedation can be performed. The value of this treatment normally goes from 250,000 COP (55 USD) to 1,500,000 COP (330 USD). It is important to note that this treatment is always performed by an anesthesiologist and not performed directly by the dentist for patient safety.
In general, dental implants in Colombia tend to be less expensive than in the United States or Canada. This is primarily due to the lower cost of labor and materials in Colombia. Additionally, the cost of living in Colombia is generally lower than in the US or Canada, which can also contribute to lower prices for dental services. Additionally, the exchange rate between the Colombian peso and the US dollar is usually favorable for foreigners visiting the country, which makes it a more affordable destination for dental treatment
