Dra. Cléo Salustiano In this article
SummaryWhat steps make up implant treatment?How do you compare implant plans without being misled?FAQRead nextHow much does a dental implant cost? What goes into the price
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Quick summary of this article+
This article doesn't list prices: Brazil's Dental Code of Ethics doesn't allow prices to be advertised, and a number before a CT scan would be a guess. Implant treatment consists of imaging, any preparation needed (bone graft, sinus lift, extraction), placement surgery, the connecting component, the prosthetic crown, sometimes a temporary prosthesis, and regular maintenance of the surrounding gums. The most common mistake when comparing quotes is assuming they all include the crown. Ask what's included, whether imaging has been factored in, how many implants the plan calls for, which system is used, what the warranty covers and what follow-up looks like. In Mooca, with Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844).
Implants are one of the treatments where the difference between quotes stands out most, and one of the most confusing, because the plans being compared don't always include the same things. You won't find prices here: Brazil's Dental Code of Ethics doesn't allow dental offices to advertise prices, and a number given before imaging would be a guess about bone no one has seen.
What can be explained is what makes up the treatment. An implant isn't a single piece: it's a post placed in the bone, a connecting component (abutment) and a crown, plus the imaging that comes before all of it and, in some cases, preparation such as a bone graft or a sinus lift.
In this article, Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844) explains each step that goes into the figure, what's often left out of quotes compared in a hurry and what to ask before deciding.
This article comes from Dr. Cléo Salustiano's dental office in Mooca, São Paulo (care in English, Portuguese and Spanish). See the dental implants page to learn how the treatment is done here and book your assessment.
What steps make up implant treatment?
It all starts with imaging. A CT scan shows the height, thickness and quality of the available bone, as well as the position of structures that must be respected, such as the alveolar nerve and the maxillary sinus. This scan is what turns 'I need an implant' into a concrete plan, and it reveals whether additional steps will be needed.
Next comes preparation, when needed. If bone is lacking, a bone graft may be recommended; in the upper molar area, a sinus lift may be needed. If the tooth is still in the mouth and has to come out, the extraction and socket preparation are separate steps too. Not every case needs this, and that's exactly why two quotes can be so different.
The implant placement surgery is the step almost everyone associates with the treatment, but it's only one part of the whole. The number of implants changes everything: replacing a single tooth is different from restoring an area with several missing teeth, and there are situations where a prosthesis on a few implants replaces several teeth.
Between placement and the crown comes osseointegration, the period when the bone grows around the post. It isn't a billed step, but it is a step in time, and plans that promise to shorten it deserve questions, because loading the implant too early is one of the classic causes of early failure.
Then comes the connecting component (the abutment between the implant and the crown) and the prosthetic crown. The crown material, whether it's screw-retained or cemented, whether it's a single crown or part of a larger prosthesis: these are technical decisions with different lab workflows. A quote that mentions only 'the implant' may not include the crown, which is precisely the part you see and use.
In some cases, a temporary prosthesis is recommended during the waiting period, for function or appearance. It's one more piece in the plan, and it's worth knowing whether it's included.
Finally, there's upkeep. Implants don't get cavities, but they have gums around them, and those gums can become diseased. Regular follow-up with probing and specialized cleaning is what protects your investment over the years, and it's part of the real cost of treatment.
| Step | What it is and when it applies |
|---|---|
| Imaging | CT scan showing available bone and structures to respect; it's what turns a recommendation into a plan |
| Extraction and socket preparation | When the tooth is still in the mouth and has to come out first |
| Bone graft | Only when there isn't enough bone height or thickness; adds a surgical step and waiting time |
| Sinus lift | A specific situation in the upper molar area |
| Placement surgery | Placing the post; the number of implants depends on the case, not on the number of missing teeth |
| Connecting component | The abutment between the implant and the crown |
| Prosthetic crown | The part you see and use; material and type of attachment change the lab workflow |
| Temporary prosthesis | When recommended during the waiting period, for function or appearance |
| Regular maintenance | Monitoring the surrounding gums and specialized cleaning: what preserves the result |
How do you compare implant plans without being misled?
Confirm whether the crown is included. It's the most common difference between two quotes that seem far apart: one quoted the complete treatment, the other only the surgical phase.
Ask whether imaging is included and whether it has already been factored into the plan. A quote made without a CT scan is an estimate, not a plan, and it's the kind of number that changes later.
Check whether a graft, sinus lift or extraction is planned or only mentioned as a possibility. Knowing this from the start avoids the feeling that treatment grew along the way.
Ask how many implants the plan calls for and why. In larger rehabilitations, the number of implants and the type of prosthesis completely change the treatment design, and more implants don't always mean a better solution.
Ask about the implant system used and the traceability of the part. Replacement components, future maintenance and the possibility of another dentist continuing your care depend on it.
Ask what the warranty covers, for how long and what voids it. And ask about follow-up: how often, what's done at each visit and whether it's included.
Think long term. Implants are meant to last many years, and what sustains that is monitoring the gums around them, managing teeth grinding and good hygiene. A plan that ignores maintenance isn't more economical; it's just incomplete.
And remember that the price is only presented after the assessment and imaging because that's what defines treatment: how many implants, with or without a graft, with which type of crown. Before that, there's nothing to quote.
How much does a dental implant cost?
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Prices can't be shared here: Brazil's Dental Code of Ethics doesn't allow dental offices to advertise prices, and a number given before imaging would be a guess. What determines the cost is the imaging, whether preparation such as a graft is needed, the number of implants, the type of crown and upkeep.
Why do implant quotes vary so much?
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Mainly because they don't all include the same steps. One plan may quote the complete treatment (imaging, surgery, abutment and crown) and another only the surgical phase. Add to that the difference between cases with and without a bone graft.
Is the crown included in the implant price?
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Not always, and that's the most important question when comparing plans. The implant is the post placed in the bone; the crown is the part you see and use. They're separate items in the treatment.
Do I need a bone graft? Does it change the plan much?
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Only when there isn't enough bone height or thickness, and the CT scan is what shows that. When recommended, a graft adds a surgical step and waiting time to treatment.
Why is a CT scan needed before a quote?
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Because it shows the available bone and the position of structures that must be respected. Without this scan, any plan is an estimate that tends to change.
Does replacing several teeth cost in proportion to the number of teeth?
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Not necessarily. In larger rehabilitations, a prosthesis on fewer implants can replace several teeth. The treatment design is defined by the case, not by counting missing teeth.
Does the type of crown change the plan?
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Yes. The material, whether it's screw-retained or cemented and whether it's a single crown or part of a larger prosthesis involve different lab workflows. The choice is technical and considers future maintenance.
Is a temporary prosthesis during the waiting period included?
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It depends on the plan. When recommended, for function or appearance, it's an additional piece, so it's worth confirming whether it's included.
Can treatment be sped up to save time?
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Osseointegration has its own biological pace, and loading the implant too early is one of the classic causes of early failure. There are immediate loading protocols for specific situations, but that's a technical decision made case by case.
Do implants have upkeep costs?
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Yes. Implants don't get cavities, but the surrounding gums can become diseased. Regular follow-up, with probing and specialized cleaning, is what preserves the result over the years.
What should I ask about the warranty?
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What it covers, how long it lasts and what voids it. It's also worth asking whether regular follow-up is included and how often.
Why ask which implant system will be used?
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Because future maintenance, replacement components and the possibility of another dentist continuing your care depend on the traceability of the part placed.
Implant or denture/bridge: which is easier on the wallet?
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Prices aren't discussed here. The two options have different steps, longevity and upkeep, and the recommendation depends on the available bone, gum health and your case, not just the initial comparison.
Why is the price only given after the assessment?
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Because the assessment and imaging define the treatment itself: how many implants, with or without prior preparation, with which type of crown. Before that, there's nothing to quote.
Where can I get a dental implant assessment in Mooca?
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Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844) sees patients at Rua Hipódromo, 1141, in Mooca, São Paulo, Monday to Sunday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., in Portuguese, English and Spanish. An assessment with imaging defines the steps for your case, and the plan is presented before any decision.
