An initial implant consultation including a CBCT scan typically costs $150 to $400 if not covered by insurance — though many providers apply this fee toward the final treatment cost if you proceed, or offer it free as a new-patient incentive.
Key takeaways
- —The CBCT scan is usually the larger cost component of a consultation, not the exam itself.
- —Many providers credit the consultation fee toward your treatment cost if you move forward.
- —It is reasonable to get more than one consultation before committing, given the size of the investment.
- —Some practices offer free or reduced-cost initial consultations as a new-patient incentive.
What is typically included
A consultation usually includes a clinical exam, a discussion of your goals and health history, and often a CBCT scan to assess bone volume. The imaging is frequently the larger cost driver within the consultation fee, since it requires specialized equipment.
Why the fee is often credited toward treatment
Many providers apply the consultation fee as a credit toward your overall treatment cost if you proceed with that provider — worth confirming directly when booking, since it affects how to think about getting multiple consultations.
Is it worth paying for multiple consultations
Given the size of implant treatment as a financial and time investment, getting a second opinion or comparing approaches from more than one provider is a reasonable, common practice, even if it means paying for more than one consultation fee.
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Frequently asked questions
Will I need a new CBCT scan if I get a second opinion elsewhere?+
Sometimes a previous scan can be shared between providers, but many practices prefer their own imaging for treatment planning purposes. Worth asking directly whether they can use existing imaging.
Are free consultations a red flag?+
Not inherently — many practices offer free initial consultations as a standard new-patient incentive; what matters more is the thoroughness and transparency of the actual evaluation and recommendation.