If you have missing or damaged teeth and are considering a dental implant (or implants) to replace them, there are many questions that are likely on your mind: How much do dental implants cost?
Depending on the complexity of the procedure and your individual circumstances, dental implant costs can vary significantly. Here’s what you need to know about dental implants and their costs.
What Are Dental Implants?
A single dental implant can be used to replace one or more teeth. Dental implants provide a permanent solution for people who have lost teeth due to an injury, gum disease, or advanced decay.
The implant is a post made of titanium, and it’s surgically implanted in the jaw bone to act as an anchor for a custom-made prosthetic tooth or bridge. Implants are strong and durable; they can be used to replace a single tooth or multiple teeth.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implant surgery offers many advantages over other types of tooth replacement options.
The most obvious benefit is that they look and feel like real teeth, providing a natural-looking smile.
Additionally, they are designed to last for many years if cared for properly with regular brushing and flossing.
Furthermore, dental implants can help preserve your jaw bone by stimulating the bone through everyday activities like chewing and speaking, which prevents bone loss that can occur when teeth are missing.
Types of Dental Implants
There are two main types of dental implants available to people considering this type of tooth replacement.
Endosteal implants are the most common type and involve surgically placing titanium posts directly into the jaw bone.
Subperiosteal implants involve placing a metal framework on top of the jaw bone under the gums, while mini-implants consist of short titanium posts positioned directly into the jaw bone to support removable dentures or bridges.
Your dentist can help you determine which type is best for you based on your individual needs and lifestyle considerations, such as cost and recovery time.
Dental Implant Procedure
Dental implants involve a multi-step process that can take several months to complete. Fortunately, modern dentistry has made the procedure relatively straightforward and comfortable for patients.
To give you an overview of what to expect when getting dental implants, here is a brief guide to the basics of the process:
The Initial Consultation
The first step in the dental implant procedure is setting up an initial consultation with your dentist. During this visit, your dentist will evaluate your overall oral health and determine whether you are a good candidate for dental implants.
This visit may also include X-rays or CT scans to get a better look at your jaw bone and surrounding teeth. In some cases, additional procedures, such as bone grafts, may be necessary before receiving implants.
Placement Surgery
Once it has been determined that you are a good candidate for dental implants, the next step is placement surgery. During this surgery, small metal posts called abutments are surgically implanted into your jaw bone, where they will provide support for the artificial teeth.
Depending on how many teeth need to be replaced and other factors, multiple abutments may be placed during the same visit or spread out over multiple visits.
Healing Period
Once all of the abutments have been placed, there will be a healing period of several weeks or months while your jaw bone fuses with them in what is known as osseointegration.
During this time, temporary prostheses known as flippers can be used in place of missing teeth if needed until work on permanent prostheses can begin.
Once osseointegration is complete, and any swelling has gone down, impressions will be taken for use in creating custom crowns or bridges to replace missing teeth permanently.
Final Placement
Once all of the permanent prostheses have been created by technicians working with your dentist’s specifications, they will be ready to attach them to your existing abutments via small metal cylinders called abutment screws during final placement surgery.
This surgery usually only takes one visit and should cause minimal discomfort thanks to modern numbing agents and sedatives available at most dentists’ offices today.
Types of Materials Used in Implants
It’s important to understand the types of materials used during dental implant treatment as they can vary from ceramic materials, composite materials to the most efficient type, titanium.
Knowing what materials are used in your implant can help you make an informed decision about which type of implant is right for you.
Titanium
The most common material used for tooth implants is titanium, a strong and biocompatible metal that has been around since World War II and is now widely used in medical applications.
Titanium provides strength, durability, and a low risk of rejection or infection. It is also non-toxic and hypoallergenic so it won’t cause any adverse reactions in your body.
In addition to titanium, other metals, such as stainless steel, have also been used for dental implants. Stainless steel is less expensive than titanium but can corrode over time, which means it may not last as long as titanium implants.
The Cost of a Dental Implant Procedure
The cost of a dental implant procedure typically includes two parts: the cost of the actual implant itself plus the cost of any additional procedures needed for placement (such as bone grafting or sinus lifts).
The total cost of dental implants can vary depending on what type of material is used for the implant (titanium is most common), whether a single tooth or multiple teeth are being replaced, and whether any additional steps are required for placement.
On average, a single-tooth implant cost ranges from $3,000 and for a full-mouth dental implant cost, starts from $23,000. This range can go higher if it includes any additional procedures needed for placement. For example, if you require a bone graft before the implant can be placed, that could add an additional about $500 to $1,500 to the overall price tag.
Your Insurance Coverage: Other Payment Options
It’s important to remember that insurance coverage may be available depending on your plan. Check with your provider to see if they cover all or part of your tooth implant procedure. In some cases, they may even cover up to 100% of the costs. Additionally, at Lyndarum Family Dentist, we offer many payment plan options so patients can spread out their payments over time. Be sure to ask your dentist about any financing options they may have available.
Why People Consider Dental Implants The Best Option
If you are considering getting dental implants, you’re not alone. Unlike dental bridges or a dental crown, dental implants are becoming more and more popular because they offer a permanent solution for your replacement teeth.
Durability
Dental implants are extremely durable and can last for many years with proper care. Once implanted, they become part of your jaw bone and provide a secure foundation for an artificial tooth or teeth to be placed on top.
They also help prevent bone loss in the jaw due to missing teeth because they act as an anchor for the artificial tooth.
Functionality
Dental implants restore both the function and appearance of your smile by providing support to your artificial teeth or dentures. They also make it easier to speak clearly and eat comfortably compared to other types of dental restorations, such as bridges or dentures.
This makes them ideal if you have lost multiple teeth or if you want to restore the functionality of your smile after having extensive dental work done.
Aesthetics
Dental implants look just like natural teeth, so no one will know that you have them unless you tell them! The implant is securely placed into the jaw bone, so it won’t move around like dentures might when eating or speaking; this will give you peace of mind knowing that your smile looks natural and that it won’t slip out when you don’t want it to!
Because dental implants are made from titanium, they also resist staining, which means that your smile will stay bright and beautiful even years after getting them!
Who Is Eligible For Dental Implant Procedure?
Receiving dental implants may be a great way to restore your smile, but it’s important to know who is eligible for the procedure. Generally, dental implant eligibility is determined by the overall health of your mouth and jawbone, as well as if you can tolerate the dental implant process, which has been described as mild discomfort in most cases.
Your dentist will evaluate factors, such as disease, tooth decay, and other dental crises, before you are cleared for the teeth implant procedure. If you have any underlying dental conditions that need to be addressed first, those will also be discussed before proceeding with dental implants.
Dental implant procedures may sound complex, but our patients don’t need to worry; our dental team will answer every question and will ensure a comfortable experience from start to finish!
Conclusion
When it comes down to it, dental implants can be an expensive investment but one that pays dividends in terms of improved oral health and quality of life. Understanding how much for a tooth implant is and what goes into determining the cost and being aware of any insurance coverage or financing options available can help make this important decision easier on your wallet as well as your smile!
To know more about dental implants or all our dental treatments, contact Lyndarum Family Dentist in Epping on (03) 9626 9581 today, and we’ll be able to give you more information and advice. We look forward to helping you get the perfect smile you deserve!
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
Sources
Dental implant surgery https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/dental-implant-surgery/about-us/pac-20384622
