The very first step in getting dental implants, or any extensive dental work for that matter, is to have a consultation with your dentist. During this time, it is the job of your dentist to determine if dental implants are the best solution to fix your issue and whether or not they are viable.
Your dentist will do several examinations of your mouth in the consultation phase to determine the shape, strength and dimensions of the jawbone in the area where the dental implant may go and to make sure your sinus is not too close to the implant site. This analysis is done to ensure that the jawbone in this area is strong and healthy enough to support a dental implant and that there won’t be any complications with the sinus. The dentist will also analyze the area for any nerves that may get in the way during the dental implant procedure.
During this preliminary phase, several radiographic images can be used to determine the jawbone health and dimensions, most commonly using x-ray and CT scans to make a treatment plan.
X-Ray Imaging
In most cases nothing more than a simple x-ray will be required during the diagnostic stage. The price of x-rays can vary depending on several factors such as the reputation of your dentist and whether you will require a full mouth x-ray or panoramic x-ray.
On average, the cost of x-rays for dental implant treatment planning in Canada can range anywhere from $30 for a very simple x-ray to $250 for a full mouth panoramic x-ray.
CT Scan
If the x-ray shows that there are some issues with the jawbone, a more detailed CT scan may be required to further understand what steps will be necessary for the dental implant to be successful. Similar to the x-ray, CT scan prices are dependent on several factors and can range from $250 to around $600 for detailed set of multiple CT scans.