Cost of Tooth Implant — Is The Treatment a Good Investment?
Dental implants are an increasingly popular choice for replacing missing teeth. They are customised fixtures fitted directly into the mouth, benefiting the patient significantly.
How much does a dental implant cost?
When most people think of dental implants, they think of the high cost associated with the procedure. However, it is worthwhile to remember that dental implants cost is an investment in better dental and general health and confidence.
Why are tooth implants so expensive?
The cost of dental implants might look high at first and can vary slightly depending on the following:
Material Used for Manufacturing
The best implants are made of bio-compatible materials like titanium or zirconium.
The crown is made of the highest-quality porcelain and ceramic.
The better the material used to make the implant components, the higher the cost.
Manufacturer
Some brands charge higher prices for dental implants than others. This price difference could be due to several factors, including the location of the manufacturing premises and the raw materials used.
The dentist or oral surgeon’s skill
Dental implant surgery is performed by oral surgeons or dentists who have taken courses and gone through special training for this surgical procedure. These dental practitioners have spent considerable time and money gaining skills in dental implant placement, so they charge a higher fee for the procedure.
Location of the dental clinic
The cost of a tooth implant can also depend on the location of the dental clinic. Due to the higher overhead costs, clinics in affluent areas of a city will charge a slightly higher rate for tooth replacement than those in middle-class neighbourhoods.
Pre-implant procedures
Dental implant surgery is not a stand-alone procedure. A single tooth replacement may require many pre-implant procedures.
Bone graft
Bone grafting repairs diseased or damaged bones. It is done to increase the volume and density of the jaw, as it needs to be strong enough to support the implant and sustain the considerable pressure exerted on it during regular chewing. This is one of the foremost reasons for the higher tooth implant cost.
Sinus lift
When placing a dental implant in the upper jaw, a sinus lift is required as the sinus lies quite close to the roots of teeth. In case bone augmentation is needed in the upper jaw bone, this, too, is added to the list of pre-implant procedures.
Tooth extraction
Your Auburn dentist may think one or more natural teeth need to be removed before a dental implant is fitted. This could be because these natural teeth are damaged or decayed or may shift their position, moving into the gap where the dental implant will be fitted.
Treatment of existing dental conditions
Before getting dental implants, it is imperative that the patient’s oral health be in very good condition. Pre-existing dental conditions such as gum disease (gingivitis and periodontitis), damaged teeth and tooth decay can raise tooth implant costs quite a bit.
What are dental implants?
The dental implant procedure involves the placement and fixing of three separate components.
Implant
This is a screw-like device made of titanium or zirconium placed in the jaw and allowed to integrate into the bone before further dental implant treatment. This is the part that acts as an artificial tooth root.
Abutment
Once the implant fuses with the jaw, the next step in dental implant treatment is placing the abutment.
The abutment is a connector made of the same material as the implant. To fit it, the dental practitioner slices into the gum and places it on the implant, allowing the gum to grow around the part.
Crown
Once the gum tissue around the abutment has healed, your dental practitioner will place the crown on it. This custom-made part looks, feels, and functions exactly like real teeth.
Who is eligible for dental implants?
Young and not-so-young people can lose one or more teeth, requiring dental implants to fill in the gaps left by the broken tooth. Usually, replacing a missing tooth starts once the patient is at least 18 years old when their jaw bone has stopped growing. There is no upper limit on a patient’s age for teeth implants, with people as old as 85 undergoing successful dental implant treatment.
What are the advantages of getting dental implants?
Dental implants improve oral health
Dental implants fill gaps in the dental arch created by missing or damaged teeth. Teeth that drift from their original place can cause problems with malocclusion, which may require separate dental treatment.
Missing teeth can also cause loss of jaw bone. When the bone does not support a natural tooth, the body simply reabsorbs the bone matter, requiring major dental procedures to correct the problem.
Dental implants can improve general health
Having a complete set of teeth improves our chewing action. It allows food to be ground properly, which in turn helps absorb nutrients, leading to better general health.
Dental implants boost self-confidence
Dental implants can help boost a person’s self-confidence. Unsightly gaps in the teeth can make a person self-conscious about their smile, but dental implants can rectify this problem and help create a beautiful smile.
Dental implants last a lifetime
While the dental implant procedure is pricey and lengthy, the dental implants are permanent and can last for a lifetime if taken care of.
Dental implants are easy to manage
Once fitted, tooth implants require no more care than natural teeth. Proper brushing and flossing will ensure dental implant costs are paid off over the years they last.
Dental implant procedures are low-risk
While the cost of dental implants is high, the dental treatment and the tooth implants themselves are low-risk. The titanium screw in dental implants holds the teeth in place so they don’t slip. Implants don’t damage the bone like a dental bridge could or decay.
Dental implants are a wise investment
Dental implants can be considered an investment. They are a one-time expense that can benefit the patient for many years. They help improve facial structure by filling in gaps and facilitating clear speech, which is required in social and professional interactions.
What is the price of a dental implant?
The price of a single dental implant is a few thousand dollars, while the cost of a dental implant arch is significantly higher.
How can I afford dental implants?
Health funds
Medicare and most private insurance companies don’t cover the cost of dental implants.
If you want an insurance company to cover the cost of dental implants, you could opt for premium coverage. However, read the terms and conditions to know exactly what the company will pay for.
Payment plans
An affordable way to meet dental implant costs is to opt for a payment plan that allows you to pay over a certain period. Some companies offer payment plans spread out over months with 0% interest!
Advantage of My Local Dentists
My Local Dentists are leading dental practitioners with skills in dental implants. There are many reasons why hundreds of patients trust us with dental implant procedures.
Highly competent team
Our team of highly qualified, experienced, and caring dentists. They have experience fitting all sorts of dental implants, be they endosteal, subperiosteal, or zygomatic.
We maintain high pre- and post-implant care standards and are sensitive to a patient’s concerns during treatment.
Best quality materials
We use the latest technology and the highest-quality implants to give you the desired smile. This ensures the implant is custom-made to fit your mouth and, once fixed, will last for decades without needing care more than a natural tooth.
Various payment options
We accept significant health funds and payment plans so you can have the perfect smile without worrying about tooth implant costs. This enables us to give you a better, brighter smile at an affordable price!
Dental Implants in Auburn
Schedule a consultation with your dentist to learn about dental implants and their suitability.
Contact us to book an initial consultation for dental implants at your nearest My Local Dentists clinic!
Call your Auburn dentist at (02) 8214 8999 or visit us at Shop Q50, Auburn Central Shopping Centre, 57-59 Queen Street, Auburn.