Dental implants, or tooth implants, are great substitutes for missing teeth due to injury, decay, or gum disease.
While dentures and dental bridges can also act as substitutes for missing teeth, dental implants are the more popular option due to their aesthetics, durability, and low maintenance. They’re designed to look just like your natural teeth, so you can replace just one and still have your usual smile.
How much should dental implants cost you? Are there ways to offset some of the fees?
Today, we’ll be sharing about the cost of dental implants in Singapore, including:
What Do Dental Implant Procedures Involve?
Getting dental implants is a multi-phase process involving the initial diagnosis, placement of the implant, and finally placement of the crown.
While there are “immediate implants” you can get, dental implant procedures can take 4 – 12 months from diagnosis to the final installation. That’s because after the implant is in, it takes time for your bone to grow around it and be ready to support a crown.
The entire dental implant procedure is an outpatient one, so no hospitalisation is required.
The Average Cost of Dental Implants
The total cost of your dental implant procedure depends on the complexity of the entire process. You’ll also need to consider where you’re receiving your treatment. Of course, private dental clinics will cost more than a public hospital.
Average treatment prices in Singapore range from S$2,500 to S$6,000 for a single-tooth dental implant treatment (before Medisave deductions).
Here are some of the costs that you can expect throughout the entire process:
| General Dentist |
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| Specialist Clinic |
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Cost of Dental Implants at Clinics in Singapore
Meanwhile, here’s a list of rates sourced from various local clinics:
| Clinics | Non-subsidised prices for single tooth implant procedures (Exclu. Consultation, additional procedures, etc.) |
| Casa Dental | From $2,500 to $6,000 |
| Vivid Dental | From $1,250 |
| NoFrills Dental | From $1,250 to $6,000 for a single tooth implant |
| i.Dental | From $3,745 to $6,955 per tooth |
| Q&M Dental | From $1,926 |
| Public Institutions | Non-subsidised prices inclusive of consultation, surgical procedure, implant crown, OT consumables, x-ray fees, and GST. |
| National Dental Centre Singapore (NDCS) | $4,200 – $5,101 |
| Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) | $3,800 |
| Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (NTFGH) | $3,278 |
| National University Centre for Oral Health (NUCOHS) | $4,675 |
Comparing the prices between public institutions and clinics, getting your dental implants done at public institutions is definitely much cheaper. You’ll save a lot more with the subsidies from Medisave and CHAS.
The downside to getting your treatments at public institutions is the long wait times. You’ll need to make an appointment beforehand for the initial diagnosis. Since there may be quite a few sessions after that, the entire process could drag on for a while.
How to Save on Dental Implant Procedures
If you’re Singaporean or PR, there are a few avenues available to help you save on this outpatient procedure:
1. Medisave Co-Payment
This is provided you have enough funds in your Medisave account to cover the bill. If you’ve been working and contributing to your CPF for a few years, it shouldn’t be an issue. Otherwise, your immediate family members can pay on your behalf with their Medisave funds.
Note though: You can only claim from Medisave for surgical treatments. The surgical procedure to install the implants is eligible, but non-surgical or cosmetic dental treatments – like crown placements or tooth extractions – aren’t claimable. According to Q&M Dental, for example, you can claim about $1,250 from Medisave for a single dental implant. You’ll have to pay the balance in cash.
2. CHAS/MG/PG Dental Subsidies
Even though you can’t make Medisave claims for non-surgical procedures, you can still enjoy subsidised rates if you have a CHAS, Merdeka Generation (MG), or Pioneer Generation (PG) card.
CHAS cards are split into green, orange, and blue. The green CHAS card does not provide any dental subsidies unlike the orange and blue card. Also, the orange CHAS card has lower subsidies available compared to the blue card.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the dental implant treatment subsidies:
| Treatment | CHAS Orange Subsidy | CHAS Blue Subsidy | MG Subsidy | PG Subsidy | Claim Limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consultation | – | $20.50 | $25.50 | $30.50 | Up to 2 consultations/year |
| Permanent Crown | $84.50 | $127.50 | $132.50 | $137.50 | Up to 4 permanent crowns/year |
| Dentures (partial) – less 6 teeth | $65.50 | $98 | $103 | $108 | Up to 1 upper and 1 lower denture per 3 calendar years |
| Simple teeth extraction (anterior) | – | $28.50 | $33.50 | $38.50 | Up to 4 extractions per calendar year |
Note: The above amounts are just a guideline. The final amount payable depends on the complexity of the respective procedures.
3. NTUC Health Denticare
NTUC Plus! Members can earn link points for every $2 spent on dental services at NTUC Health Denticare clinics. You can then use these link points to offset future purchases or payments.
If you’re an existing NTUC Plus! Member, it may be a good idea to get your dental implant treatment at any of the NTUC Health Denticare clinic outlets.
Fun Fact: Average Dental Implant Prices Around the World
Did you know that more than three million people around the world currently have dental implants? Also, more than 500,000 people get an implant each year!
It’s a procedure that’s becoming more and more common in today’s society. If you’re curious how single-tooth dental implant prices around the world compare to Singapore’s, here’s a quick comparison:
| Country | Average dental implant prices (Home currency) | Average dental implant prices (SGD) |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand | 50,000 – 70,000 Baht | S$2,000 – 2,810 |
| United States of America | USD 3,100 – 5,800 | S$4,426 – 8,282 |
| Australia | AUD 3,000 – 6,500 | S$2,955 – 6,403 |
| Malaysia | MYR 5,000 – 10,000 | S$1,518 – 3,035 |
| South Korea | KRW 1,225,436 – 2,306,704 | S$1,213 – 2,285 |
Seems like the cheapest place to get your dental implants would be South Korea! Since it’s a country well known for its cosmetic procedures, there’s no doubt procedures such as dental implants and crowning are much more affordable due to the wider availability of clinics offering such services.
Ultimately, if you’re planning to get dental implants done, it’s important to research and find out as much as possible about the cost, subsidies, and recovery time. Find a dentist whom you’re comfortable with for your own peace of mind.
Although the procedure is completely safe and most people don’t suffer from any complications, it’s normal to be nervous since surgery is still involved. The more you know, the more confident you’ll feel when you schedule your implant procedure.