The average adult American between the ages of 45 and 64 is missing five teeth. Worse yet, one in five Americans aged 65 and over have lost all their natural teeth. Though many alternatives are available for replacing missing teeth, such as removable dentures, and bridges, dental implants present a permanent solution to restore a bite with a feel like having your natural healthy teeth back.
A dental implant device has three parts:
- The dental implant body: The metal part that attaches to the jawbone
- Dental Crown: Which is the replacement tooth visible above the gumline
- The abutment: A metal piece between the dental crown and metal root.
How Much is the Typical Dental Implant Cost?
The dental implants cost for a single tooth implant is about $4,500. That is the average dental single tooth implant cost for a porcelain crown. Depending on the complexity and materials used, the price range for a single tooth implant is between $3,500 to $7,000. The cost covers the materials and the dental implant surgery.
If you are looking for full mouth implants, the price could be between $40,000 to $55,000.
What Drives The Cost of Dental Implants So High?
To understand why dental implants are expensive, you need to know what is a dental implant and the long process involved in the dental implant process.
The dental implant procedure begins with a thorough dental examination done during the initial consultation. Once the dentist or dental surgeon specializing in implant dentistry formulates the plan, you will make a second appointment to place the dental implant.
The dentist or oral surgeon will perform dental implant surgery by inserting an endosteal implant, or a screw-shaped implant body, into your jawbone in the second appointment. Your body’s healing process will enable your jawbone to fuse into the implant body. This process will take a few months. However, your dentist may install a subperiosteal implant if your jawbone is weak.
The dentist installs an abutment into the implant body in your third appointment. This body will serve as an anchor for your replacement tooth.
Once the dental lab produces the appropriate custom-made crown, the crown will be fastened into the abutment with an implant screw or dental cement.
There are instances where there are additional costs incurred during dental implant treatment and procedure. If you have experienced jawbone loss, your dentist may require a bone graft, costing around $500. A sinus lift costing about $2,000 may also be necessary to increase the bone thickness in the upper jaw. Moreover, implant dentistry specialists, such as oral and maxillofacial surgery, charge more than dentists, adding to the dental implant cost.
Does Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
Suppose the dental implant involves restoring the health of teeth and gums because of serious disease. In that case, your insurance company might cover the cost of specific procedures or steps to help reduce the total dental implant costs. However, your insurance company won’t cover any steps if you seek dental implants for cosmetic purposes. Some private dental insurance covers dental implants explicitly or specific steps.
Can I Get Free Dental Implants?
Getting free or affordable dental implants or paying less for complete dental implant surgery is possible. Some local dental colleges offer low-cost implants. You may consult the Dental Lifeline Network in each state to check if you qualify for one.
Are Dental Implants Worth It?
The advantages of dental implants far outweigh their cost. Dental implants can eliminate the problem of your existing teeth near the gap moving to fill the space and cause bite misalignment. Moreover, dental implants are more durable than bridges, dentures, or other tooth replacement alternatives. Even if you get used to having dentures or bridges, there will still be issues in biting and chewing, which you won’t have problems with if you have dental implants. Imagine not worrying about your denture “floating” around when you eat or placing glue regularly to keep your bridge in place.
Please take note that bad dental implants happen, especially if the bone doesn’t heal properly around the implant body. Imperfect dental implants may also result from chronic gum and bone infection. Despite those risks, the effort to keep tooth implants is much less than traditional dentures or dental bridges. One just has to keep good dental health by maintaining dental hygiene and regular dental visits.
Takeaways
Dental implants, despite their cost, are worth it. Restoring the function of your missing teeth permanently, preserving the health of your jawbone and gums, and preventing nearby healthy teeth from moving will help you maintain good oral health for decades. The impact of dental implants extends to your remaining teeth and being able to keep healthy gums for years to come. Dental implants usually last more than 20 years, and with the All-on-4 Dental Implant treatment option available, you can have up to four dental implants in one procedure. That will result in lower dental implant costs per tooth while enjoying all the benefits of having dental implants. For people looking for multiple implants who have lost adjacent teeth due to gum disease or tooth decay, the All-on-4 dental treatment option in Phoenix offered by Dr. Harman is a game-changer. To know more about this state-of-the-art procedure, call us at (602) 840-5300. For your general and cosmetic dentistry or comprehensive dental care needs, you may call or visit us in our dental office in Phoenix.
