"This article explores the various factors that play a role in determining the cost of dental implants and how the advent of new sophisticated teeth replacement techniques afford patients massive savings."
The cost of dental implants varies widely depending upon a number of factors, some of which are to be expected. These include whether a dentist or specialist is used and the particular cost dental implants the individual charges (prices vary from practice to practice). Other factors include the number of dental implants required for oral rehabilitation and the need for any preparatory procedures, such as gum treatment for cases of advanced periodontitis and bone grafting surgery.
The Cost of Dental Implants: Specialists or Dentists ~Specialists, such as periodontists or oral surgeons, tend to charge more than implant dentists (professionals qualified in the surgical placement of implants.) Given the popularity of dental implants and their superiority as a tooth replacement solution, however, more and more dentists are offering them as an essential service. As a result, specialists tend to deal only with the more complex cases of gum disease and jaw bone deterioration. If you are looking to minimize your cost of dental implants, consult with a qualified and experienced dentist to see whether they can address your oral problems before opting for a specialist.
The Cost of Dental Implants: The Number of Implants ~ Another obvious factor controlling the cost of dental implants is the number of implants required. Patients that have lost one or two teeth in, for example, a car accident or to isolated tooth decay will only require one or two implants whereas those that have lost many or most of their teeth to gum disease will require a more complex treatment approach. In the latter case, the implant dentist may recommend an implant-supported denture or bridge to provide the patient with a full set of teeth again.
The Cost of Dental Implants: The Need for Bone Grafting ~ The cost of dental implants is quite heavily affected by the need for bone grafting surgery. This procedure is frequently needed by edentulous (not having a single original adult tooth left) and near-edentulous patients that have long lived with false teeth, or removable dentures. Due to a lack of stimulation to the jaw bone (something that is supplied by tooth roots) the jaw bone tissue atrophies and wastes away over the years, resulting in that aged and sunken oral appearance we typically associate with the elderly. Without sufficient bone volume in the jaw to support dental implants, bone grafting surgery may be recommended before oral rehabilitation with implants can be commenced. Unfortunately, bone grafting is a notoriously expensive procedure.
Nowadays, however, and for cases such as these, the cost of dental implants has been greatly reduced with the development of advanced surgical protocol for the treatment of edentulous and near-edentulous patients.
The Cost of Dental Implants with New Sophisticated Surgical Protocol
The ‘All-on-4’ dental implant technique enables skilled and qualified dentists to provide patients with a complete set of new and non-removable teeth in as little as a single day, with a single surgery and almost always without the need for bone grafting surgery first. In addition to the incredible benefits afforded to patients by having dental implants as new teeth (and not an inferior tooth replacement technology, such as bridges or dentures), they also save an incredible $25,000 average on the cost of dental implants. For more complex cases of jaw bone deterioration and gum disease, patients are looking at saving a staggering $45,000 average on the cost of dental implants.