Over $8,000 is what I was quoted when I went to get a check-up and treatment plan-- for one tooth. This sounds likes he thinks I'm an easy mark. The space is healed and has been fine for a couple of years. He suggested the implant for cosmetic reasons.
My daughter just had one. By the time all was said and done, it was in the $6000 range. It's a long and complicated procedure:
Part 1: The implant that goes into the gum; this is for life, so you want it to be right. It's like a metal screw with holes in it that goes into the gum. Your bone grows through the holes, and it cannot be removed later.
Part 2: The abridgement that connects the implant to the implant.
Part 3: The crown. That's the "tooth" that you see. This will last 10-15 years.
She had appointments for:
Initial appointment and x-rays
Surgery to place the implant into the gum (included anethesia)
Follow ups to see that the implant was "taking" to the gum
Insertion of abridgement
Measuring for crown
Placement of crown
It was very expensive, but my daughter was missing an adult tooth, and it's in a spot that shows. It was an unavoidable expense.
It could be because of where you live. However, if he's going to charge $8K for an implant, I would trust him to even do the procedure since he more than likely has no clue how to do it.
A dental implant should cost between $1700-$1900 per tooth, all inclusive.
The guy you're dealing with is a complete rip off artist. $167 for a check up that DIDN'T include a cleaning???? At most places it's either free or a very nominal charge.
Find yourself a new dentist.
I think you're thinking JUST of the crown, not the whole procedure. Getting the implant into the gum is the expensive, time-consuming thing.