Dental implant costs can commonly be from about $1,500 to $3,000 each, but the cost can vary greatly depending on a variety of factors. The cost could climb to around $30,000 if major reconstruction is needed to the jaw or gums.
Dental implants are titanium posts, surgically placed into the gum and bone, to act as permanent support for a replacement tooth. The procedure is used to replace teeth that have been lost or removed and are considered by many to be preferable to conventional dentures. The area has to heal before the new tooth, or crown, can be attached, and this could take around three to six months.
When you are quoted for dental implants, make sure you get an itemized account that includes everything. The cost of the surgery and anesthesiologist, the post and crown, and how many implants are included should all be listed on the quote. There will be x-ray charges, numerous consultations, and possibly medication needed, so make sure you understand exactly what the quote covers.
Most medical insurance doesn’t cover the cost of dental implants at this time, so you might need to ask about credit options or payment plans that are offered by the dental office. Most practitioners offer some alternative method of time payment, because of the high cost of the procedure. You can also investigate whether your local dental colleges do implants because this is often much cheaper. The procedure would be performed by a dental student, under the direct supervision of a teacher.
If you shop around, you could find that there is a great discrepancy between quotes from different providers, and this could leave you puzzled. The most common reasons for higher prices include the reputation and experience of the practitioner, the location of the dental office, and the amount the dentist is charging as a fee for their time after all expenses have been taken away.
There are other variants that might impact the dental implants cost. There are different types of implants, used for different purposes. Mini implants are used to anchor dentures, while a full-sized implant holds just one artificial tooth. There are also many different manufacturers of titanium posts that are used, and these also vary in price. Ask your practitioner about different brands as this is one area that can save you money.
There is a cap or abutment that goes on top of the implanted post and it acts as a base for the tooth or crown. Make sure this has been included in your quote. Ask about the cost of different brands of abutment as well. Some practitioners attach a temporary crown while the surgery site is healing, simply for cosmetic reasons; is this included in your quote? There is a wide range of brands and costs of permanent crowns too, so discuss this with your practitioner.
Some patients need a bone graft onto the jaw to make a more secure foundation for the post if their own jaw bone is too narrow or soft to be suitable. Bone can be taken from your hip for this procedure, or sometimes a synthetic bone material is used, but either way, it will obviously add considerably to your dental implants cost.
The condition of your own gums and teeth can also impact your dental implant costs. If there is gum disease or over-crowding of the teeth present at the initial consultation, this will need to be treated before the implant surgery can proceed. This will obviously involve additional costs.
Tiffany is a Medical Student and also works as a fitness coach in part-time. She is also a writer and writes on health and fitness articles. Tiffany loves to engage with users and help them provide various useful information on General Health. She provides researched-based information and also featured on various blogs and magazines.